Underground Favorites Parallel to the Artistry of Your Obedient Ser...

Dir: Edward H. Griffith

Soon to become a mother, Beatrix Franklin (Lois Wilson) persuades her husband Pelham (Holmes Herbert) to go on a cruise. He becomes acquainted with May Beamish (Flora Le Breton), who tries, unsuccessfully, to capture him. Upon hearing of the attentions paid to her husband, Beatrix provokes a quarrel and separation by staying out with Alec Greenwood (Allan Simpson), a former admirer. The vamp seeks to force Pelham to divorce, but she is triumphantly outsmarted by Beatrix.

Dir: Edward H. Griffith

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

Childhood friends Mary Lee and Vera receive two different versions of the 'birds and the bees' from their mothers: Mary Lee gets the facts; Vera gets a prudish fairytale version. Their lives separate after graduation, Mary Lee becomes a nurse who falls in proper love with a Doctor, whereas Vera follows her mother's advice and seeks to marry a rich man, but falls for the unlawful, syphilitic charms of a wealthy cad. Mary Lee and her Doctor rescue Vera and help her get proper care after a series of revelations showing actual patients of the loathsome disease. Finally, Mary Lee and her new husband volunteer to help our boys fighting the Huns in France.

Dir: Edward H. Griffith

On her journey to the United States, Marya Nisko falls in love with another immigrant, Sascha Rabinoff. Arriving and discovering her sister's poverty, she fails as a lady's maid and then arranges an introduction to a theatrical manager, though Sascha is opposed to her becoming a professional dancer. She obtains an engagement through Stephen Ross, who arranges for her training. Meanwhile, unable to pursue his education and reduced to the breadline, Sascha attracts the attention of a wealthy philanthropist, Josef Marinoff, who takes an interest in his idea for a home for immigrants, and through Marinoff's aid he and Marya are reunited.

Dir: Edward H. Griffith

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

Advised by his doctor to take a vacation, New York banker Henry B. Boltwood and his flapper daughter, Claire, drive to Glacier Park. Claire has promised to give an answer to Jeffrey Saxton, who wishes Claire to marry him, upon her return, but during a stop in a small Minnesota town, it is love at the first sight of garage owner Milt Daggett. Milt follows the Boltwoods out of town in his small "bug," pulls them from a muddy ditch, and rescues them from a tramp (an escaping murderer?). Jeffrey is at Glacier Park to meet the Boltwoods, but he settles Claire's dilemma by showing himself a coward when the tramp returns. Milt rescues her, and the two are married.

Dir: Edward H. Griffith

When young Gloria Waring's wealthy father dies, she discovers that her brother--who is heir to the family fortune--is about to marry a well-known golddigger named Teddy Lamont. Gloria steals the will from her father's attorney, James Hamilton, so Teddy won't find out how much money her future husband will inherit. Hamilton finds out about her theft but is unexpectedly sympathetic to Gloria about it. It turns out that Hamilton has reasons for his behavior, and when Gloria discovers why, complications ensue.

Dir: Edward H. Griffith

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

A film on venereal disease made by the United States government.

Dir: Edward H. Griffith

When Marion Roger's love affair with Cameron West is broken up by her disapproving mother, Cameron develops an infatuation with flirtatious debutante Diana Spaulding, while Marion still harbors an unrequited love for Cameron. Cameron marries Diana, who retains her flirtatious nature, and while at a party one night, Marion overhears Diana plotting to run away with playboy Granville Wingate. Determined to protect Cameron, Marion hastens to the lovers' appointed rendezvous before Diana arrives and persuades Wingate to abandon his plan. Returning to the house, Marion attempts to shield Cameron from his wife's disgraceful behavior, but Cameron, finally realizing his wife's nature and his love for Marion, obtains a divorce and is thus free to marry the woman he loves.

Dir: Edward H. Griffith

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

Babs Marvin loves David Darrow, a young lawyer. Babs' father, the powerful Senator Marvin, is supporting Eben Sprague for a seat in the State Legislature. Darrow discovers that Sprague is a crook and threatens to expose the candidate unless the senator agrees to switch his support to him. Babs opposes Darrow's decision, fearing that it will ruin his promising law career. Determined to defeat Darrow, she promotes the candidacy of the village pauper, Hank Dawes, and contrives an elaborate campaign based upon the slogan that Dawes' election would remove him from the welfare rolls. Dawes wins the election, but Darrow is consoled with Babs's love and the senator's support of his law career.

Dir: Edward H. Griffith

Vaudeville dancer Rosalie Ray, disgusted by the advances of her admirers, quits the stage and retires to the anonymity of a small town. At her rooming house she meets young minister Arthur Lyle who proposes to her. Soon after, Rosalie learns of a mysterious woman in Lyle's past and decides to investigate. Learning that Lyle keeps a cherished memento of this femme fatale in his room, Rosalie determines to unearth it. Locating the box, she opens it, only to discover her own garter inside. Rosalie is so repulsed at the revelation that when her former manager, Brad Mortimer, appears to offer her his hand in marriage and a professional engagement, she accepts both and returns to the stage.

Dir: Edward H. Griffith

Maurice Travers attends college through the self-sacrificing efforts of his mother. However, his love for sports and consequent neglect of his studies prevent his graduation. Madeline Marshall, an orphan living with Mrs. Travers, is in love with Maurice, but he marries wealthy socialite Donna Wayne instead. Their carefree life in New York City is interrupted when Donna's father insists that Maurice support her. When the young man proves himself incapable, Donna elopes with a rich suitor. Maurice endures the blindness and death of his mother, after which he finds happiness with the faithful Madeline.