Hidden Genre Gems for Fans of Wives and Old Sweethearts: Cult Guide

Dir: Eddie Lyons

Eddie and Lee are newspaper reporters and Mildred is a vamping Russian countess in a laughable "Bolsheviki" burlesque in which Eddie and Lee find themselves obliged to commit all sorts of crimes, but wake to find it all a dream.

Dir: Eddie Lyons

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

Nifty Ned is a heavyweight champion that meets all comers. He is successful through the fact that he manages to back his opponents against the scenery at the back of the stage ring. From a vantage point behind the scenes, Happy Harry whacks the opponent on the head with a club, invariably causing the "knockout." The end comes when the "heavyweight" is pushed against the scenery by one of his opponents, and Happy Harry knocks out the wrong man.

Dir: Eddie Lyons

Eddie and his bride manage to escape the hazing of the wedding guests, but is later caught by Lee, the hick detective, who has received a fake wire offering $1,000 reward for Eddie's capture as a dangerous criminal. He locates Eddie on the trail and handcuffs himself to him. Lee releases Eddie so the latter can wire his friends, and the bridegroom misses his train. He hurries by taxi to the jail, where Lee has taken the bride in lieu of Eddie. Eddie and his bride are locked up together, but are later released upon receipt of an explanatory telegram from their practical joking friends.

Dir: Eddie Lyons

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

The troubles of two quarreling couples, the Blacks and the Whites. They get divorces, and Mr. Black weds Mrs. White and Mr. White weds Mrs. Black.

Dir: Eddie Lyons

The newlyweds buy a rooster and expect it to lay eggs. Food conservation also comes in for some quiet, humorous effects.

Dir: Edgar Jones

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

A mail-order bride arrives at a Maine lumber camp but doesn't like her prospective husband.

Dir: Eddie Lyons

Rushville is excited over the football game to be played that day between its rival teams, the Bearcats and the Carnations. Word reaches the latter team that Spike Hennessey, a famous quarterback, is to be a ringer on the "Bearcats" team.

Dir: Eddie Lyons

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

A burlesque on the making of a picture based on an Alaskan story.

Dir: Eddie Lyons

Eddie appears as a grocer boy and Lee as butcher boy. Both love the same girl, but after numerous amusing advances a third youth marries her.

Dir: Eddie Lyons

Lee and his family take Eddie and his wife riding in their new car.