Rare Cinematic Gems Exploring the Legacy of Whispers: Cult Guide

Dir: William P.S. Earle

When heiress Betty Hallowell organizes a Red Cross bazaar to raise money for the American effort in The Great War, she is disappointed that the event is not a success, so she decides to lease her beautiful country house to Mrs. Wentworth, a wealthy widow whose son Tom is recuperating from injuries received overseas. When Mrs. Wentworth suddenly demands the services of a maid for the summer, Betty, unable to secure a servant on such short notice, dons a dark wig and poses as "French maid Bettina." Much to his mother's embarrassment, Tom and "Bettina" fall madly in love, but necessity forces Betty to temporarily drop her disguise and reappear as the mistress of the house. Confused, Tom falls just as madly in love with Betty. Finally, he decides that he prefers Bettina to Betty, but Betty's uncle arrives and her deception is revealed. Tom explains his infidelity by stating that Betty's sweetness caused him to love her in both of her identities, and she is satisfied.

Dir: William P.S. Earle

Patty Baring will lose the fine old Washington Square house she is to inherit if her scheming stepfather Josiah Wheeler's plan to acquire it for himself is successful. Cruelly abused by Wheeler, a gambling hall owner, Patty runs away to live with a newsboy named Bobby and his grandfather Herman. There, in spite of her shabby dress and humble companions, she arouses the admiration of Edwin Sayer, the district attorney. Ned, a soft-spoken gambler, desires to possess Patty, and at the instigation of her stepfather, lures her into a gambling den that Edwin has been planning to raid. Patty is arrested, but Edwin secures her release and places her in the charge of his mother. Ned and Josiah are imprisoned, leaving Patty free to claim her inheritance and wed Edwin.

A visual fragment from the archive: The thematic resonance of Little Miss No-Account perfectly mirrors the editorial trajectory of our deep dive.

Dir: William P.S. Earle

At a London auction, Princess Sonia bids against her husband, exiled Prince Victor, for a Corot landscape in which incriminating letters Sonia wrote are hidden, but it is bought by Michael Lanyard, who is suspected of being the mysterious, international thief "The Lone Wolf." After Lanyard gives Sonia the letters, she divorces Victor, marries Lanyard, and dies after bearing their daughter Sonia. Years later, Sonia, who thinks she is the daughter of the Princess' maid, is found by Victor, now the leader of an underworld gang of Asian crooks and Bolsheviks. Saying he is her father, Victor brings her to his home, hoping to entice Lanyard to make an appearance. When Sonia discovers the gang's plan to pump poisonous gas into Buckingham Palace and the homes of the wealthy so that Victor would be England's dictator, she tells Roger Karslake, Victor's secretary, whom she loves. Lanyard, who has been posing as Victor's Asian butler, and Karslake, both Scotland Yard agents, capture the gang amid fire and fights.

Dir: William P.S. Earle

To stave off war with a neighboring kingdom, Princess Pat of Paxitania agrees to marry Warburg's King Eric. Still very young and rebellious, the new queen finds it difficult to adjust to court life, and when she accepts an invitation to take a ride with the villainous Count Ladislaus, King Eric's patience gives out and he rebukes her severely. The banished count informs Pat's father, the Grand Duke of Paxitania, that she is cruelly abused, whereupon Pat's three brothers set out to bring her back home. In the end, however, King Eric and Princess Pat come to love each other dearly, and she sends her brothers home reassured of their sister's happiness.

A visual fragment from the archive: The thematic resonance of The Lone Wolf's Daughter perfectly mirrors the editorial trajectory of our deep dive.

Dir: William P.S. Earle

During World War I, Kervyn Guild, an American citizen who was born in Belgium, is captured with other Belgian refugees by the Germans. Brought before the commanding officer, General Von Reiter, Guild is offered his own freedom as well as that of the other refugees if he goes to London and returns with the officer's daughter, Karen Girard, who actually is his mistress. In the hope of saving lives, Guild consents and is sent to London where he locates Karen. Guild's suspicions are aroused when he notices that they are being protected by the German agents and hunted by the British. His instincts prove correct when he learns that Karen is carrying dispatches to the general. On their journey back, Karen falls in love with Guild and agrees to join the Belgian cause. Before they can escape, the general arrives and demands both Karen and the papers. Guild duels to defend both and fatally wounds the general. In a breach of military ethics, the dying general then gives the lovers his blessings, and grants them a pass to go through the German lines.

Dir: William P.S. Earle

Lord Killowen, the landlord of a little village in Ireland, employs Harvey Dowd and his worthless son, Peter, to collect the rents. When Peter arrives at the modest home of Ann, a young lace maker who lives with her aunt and blind grandmother, he makes improper advances towards her, but Killowen, who is motoring through the area, rescues her. Without leaving her a receipt, Peter absconds with the rent money to America, and Ann's family is evicted. Determined to recover her money, Ann follows Peter to New York, where she is befriended by a policeman, who informs her that Killowen has come to America to court the wealthy Eileen Murtagh. Lord Killowen takes Ann to Eileen's home, but the latter, in a fit of jealousy, orders the girl to leave. When Ann returns during Eileen's engagement party, Killowen realizes that he prefers the little lace maker and proposes to her.

A visual fragment from the archive: The thematic resonance of The Wooing of Princess Pat perfectly mirrors the editorial trajectory of our deep dive.

Dir: William P.S. Earle

Quiet, unassuming dreamer Poque wanders over the country propagating various grades of graft so he can spend his first vacation in the great metropolis, New York. During his ramble he encounters millionaire businessman Vancross, who longs for fame (notoriety). After talking with Poque he decides that he is just the right sort to act as publicity man for him. Poque balks at the idea of making such an unpretentious figure famous, but finally accepts his proposition. He arranges with a girlfriend to strike up an acquaintance with his employer, leading him on for a time, then suing him for jilting her. But things pan out quite differently from the way Poque intended. Instead of trying to get away from his employer, the girlfriend decides to marry him. But Poque gets a good sum of money, so he should worry.

Dir: William P.S. Earle

Stewart, an art student in New York City's "bohemian" Greenwich Village, lives next door to his girlfriend Hedda, who wants to be a singer. One night while they are dining at their favorite cafe', wealthy Mrs. Trask comes up to them with a proposition: she knows he is an artist and wants to go to Paris to study and develop his talent, and she will pay all his expenses. He refuses because he doesn't want to leave Hedda, but she eventually persuades him to agree. It turns out that she has an ulterior motive--as does Mrs. Trask.

A visual fragment from the archive: The thematic resonance of Who Goes There? perfectly mirrors the editorial trajectory of our deep dive.

Dir: Bruno Ziener

A fascinating piece of cinema that shares thematic elements.

Dir: Alexander Butler

In Alberta, Canada, a Cornish emigrant unmasks a rustler posing as the girl's "blind" father.