Must-Watch List in the Vein of Whom the Gods Destroy: Cult Guide

Dir: J. Stuart Blackton

Enemy agents under the leadership of "Emanon" conspire with pacifists to keep the American defense appropriations down at a time when forces of the enemy are preparing to invade. The invasion comes, and New York, Washington, and other American cities are devastated.

Dir: J. Stuart Blackton

A visual fragment from the archive: The thematic resonance of My Husband's Other Wife perfectly mirrors the editorial trajectory of our deep dive.

Popular actress Adelaide Hedlar, cherishes her career and ambitions more than a home and children, much to the chagrin of her husband, Dr. Mark Ridgewell. Following their divorce, Mark goes West, meets country girl Nettie Bryson and marries her. Meanwhile, Adelaide refuses to marry playwright Wilifred Dean until she is certain that her husband has remarried. Upon discovering Mark's marriage, she decides to win him back and subsequently travels West, meets Nettie and determines to regain Mark's love. On the verge of accomplishing her goal, Adelaide realizes Nettie's devotion to her husband and repents, informing the girl that Mark's former wife is dead.

Dir: J. Stuart Blackton

A feud has been raging between the Lee and Mitchell families, in the forbidden valley of the Kentucky hills. The lone survivors are Ben Lee, his granddaughter Morning Glory and a young Mitchell boy who is given refuge by minister Dominie Jones. Fifteen years pass and Jack Winslow, a surveyor, comes to the valley and falls in love with Morning Glory. Their romance is opposed by Dave, a young half-wit who also loves Morning Glory and, out of jealousy, makes several attempts on Jack's life. When Jack is suspected of being the last surviving Mitchell, Morning Glory, acting in accordance with her family code of honor, shoots and wounds him. Soon after, Jones reappears and explains that Dave is the real Mitchell heir, thus clearing the path for Jack and Morning Glory's reconciliation.

Dir: J. Stuart Blackton

A visual fragment from the archive: The thematic resonance of The Forbidden Valley perfectly mirrors the editorial trajectory of our deep dive.

An Earl's cousin survives drowning and saves a lady from the Great Fire of London.

Dir: J. Stuart Blackton

A wealthy financier is tricked by a pair of spies into giving millions to foreign powers. His daughter is suspicious and hires a Detective, who is able to foil the foreign agent's plans. Meanwhile, the daughter has fallen in love with a fellow from the enemy camp, but all ends well as his true identity is revealed as a member of the U.S. secret service.

Dir: J. Stuart Blackton

A visual fragment from the archive: The thematic resonance of The Glorious Adventure perfectly mirrors the editorial trajectory of our deep dive.

The plot revolves around two rival towns in the Canadian Northwest, which are connected only by a bridge. Ingolby, a determined, idealistic engineer, is saved from destruction by the wild-eyed Fleda Druse, whose father is the local gypsy monarch.

Dir: J. Stuart Blackton

Helene Palmer and her husband Orrin have grown apart, and she becomes infatuated with bachelor Edward Wadsworth. With the outbreak of World War I, Orrin and Edward enlist, while Helene works as a Red Cross nurse in a small French town. Edward is wounded on a dangerous scouting mission near the town and Orrin carries him to safety. The enemy invades during the night, and Orrin rescues Helene as she is about to be overpowered by a German officer. The dying Edward, morally strengthened by his experience as a soldier, encourages the couple to reunite. Soon after, peace is declared.

Dir: J. Stuart Blackton

A visual fragment from the archive: The thematic resonance of The Message of the Mouse perfectly mirrors the editorial trajectory of our deep dive.

An inventor, David Hammond is the son of a ship's captain. He leaves his sweetheart, Lisbeth Bixler, and goes to the city to promote his invention. Lisbeth's father, an unsuccessful artist, deserts his family, secretly intending to commit suicide. When he fails to return, "Cap" Hammond protects Bixler's wife and children. David forgets Lisbeth until he returns to perfect his invention and finds that she still loves him. During a fire caused by a flooding of a nearby river, Lisbeth rescues David; and both are picked up by "Cap" Hammond, who has saved the whole village. Bixler returns, his courage renewed, and all are happily reunited.

Dir: J. Stuart Blackton

Orphan Mary Lord, the ward of Sir Arthur Stanhope of Parliament, is attracted to Philip Carmichael, a young politician, who ignores her and goes through a supposedly mock marriage at a wild party with actress Sheelah Delayne. Years later, Philip falls in love with Mary, now married to Sir Arthur, who dies from a stroke when he sees Philip and Mary together. Remorseful, they try to keep apart but eventually marry in France. Later, Sheelah confronts Philip with their son and proof that they are married. When Philip is arrested for bigamy, Mary testifies, to her humiliation, that she and Philip are not married, and then disappears. After her son dies, Sheelah goes to France as a canteen worker and finds Mary wandering in a daze. Feeling pity, Sheelah has her marriage annulled and sends for Philip. When Mary hears soldiers sing a song she used to sing to Philip, she recognizes Philip and they resume their marriage.

Dir: J. Stuart Blackton

Dr. John Worthing sacrifices his personal life when he leaves his fiancée, Claire Eaton, to test his serum in a plague-ridden country far to the north. Claire, believing that her sweetheart has died in this faraway land, accepts the attentions of the unscrupulous Hugh Conway who is simultaneously courting Eva Cartier, a young nurse, who leaves him after discovering his true nature. Meanwhile, Worthing returns and, disillusioned by Claire's disloyalty, degenerates into an opium addict. Hospitalized after a brawl, Worthing is recognized by his old friend Elliot, who entrusts him to Eva, in whose care he is rehabilitated and with whom he falls in love. Discovering Eva's newfound happiness, Conway enlists Claire's aid in breaking up the happy couple, but his plans are thwarted when he drowns while carrying out his scheme.