William James Craft

The Runaround

Filmed in an early Technicolor process, The Runaround tells the story of Broadway dancer Evelyn who refuses to play the gold-digging games indulged in by her fellow chorines

Honeymoon Lane

Based on Dowling's 1925 stage vehicle of the same name, the story is set in motion when the king of the mythical European nation of Bulgravia visits an American health resort. Hero Tim Dugan appoints himself the king's unofficial protector, saving him from the larcenous designs of crooked gambler Arnold Bookstein.

See America Thirst

Two men, one timid and one aggressive, make out as comical criminals.

Little Accident

On the day before his second wedding, a man finds out that his bride-to-be has had a baby.

The Czar of Broadway

Mort Bradley, New York political boss and underworld czar, controls not only the city's most popular nightclub but also much of the press; however, the managing editor of the Times is determined to expose him. Jay Grant, a San Francisco reporter, is assigned to investigate Mort, who believes Jay to be a country boy and is delighted to see him fall in love with Connie Colton, of whom Mort has tired. Dismayed to learn that Jay is a reporter, Mort plans to have his gunman, Francis, kill him, but both Mort and Francis are shot by rival gangsters. Jay, believing that Mort will recover, rushes to the newspaper with an exposé, but while writing it he learns of Mort's death and decides their friendship would not permit him to submit the story. He leaves his paper and embarks on a new life with Connie.

The Cohens and the Kellys in Scotland

The Cohens and the Kellys travel to Scotland to buy plaid in the hopes that a prince will start a new fashion trend.

Dames Ahoy

Three sailors go searching for a girl who swindled one of them out of half his pay.

Embarrassing Moments

A couple meet, fall in love and get married in a 24-hour period.

Skinner Steps Out

William Henry Skinner's young wife has great confidence in her husband's abilities and is ambitious for his success. He informs her of his importance at the office; but in reality he is an insignificant employee on a small salary, and when refused a raise, he hasn't the courage to tell his wife. Distressed at her husband's shabby appearance, "Honey" persuades him to buy a dress suit, and at a charity bazaar she pushes him to the front so that he dominates the affair and comes to the attention of the dignitaries. Skinner forces himself upon the attention of his employer and the employer's chief rival, whose admiration he wins when he bluffs him out of a poker pot. In spite of Skinner's efforts to prevent it, the rival companies are consolidated; and impressed by his spirit and enthusiasm, his superiors promote him to sales manager.

One Hysterical Night

The scheming aunt and uncle of William Judd, heir to the family fortune, persuade him to pose as Napoleon at a fancy masquerade ball, but they are actually having him committed to an insane asylum. Since all the other inmates/attendees think they are historical figures such as Robin Hood, the Duke of Wellington, Paul Revere, William Tell, Salome, Robinson Crusoe, Sherlock Holmes and others, it takes a while for Judd to separate the wheat from the chaff and prove he is not deranged. His quest becomes more urgent when he falls in love with a nurse named Josephine, who does not think she is Napoleon's "Josephine" but is convinced Judd thinks he is Napoleaon.

The Cohens and Kellys in Atlantic City

Silent film directed by William James Craft.

How to Handle Women

When Leonard Higgins, a cartoonist, meets Prince Hendryx, ruler of the small nation of Vulgaria, he offers to help save the country by advertising the nonexistent crop, the peanut.

How to Handle Women

When Leonard Higgins, a cartoonist, meets Prince Hendryx, ruler of the small nation of Vulgaria, he offers to help save the country by advertising the nonexistent crop, the peanut.

A Hero for a Night

Cab driver falls for rich model.

The Clown

Silent crime drama Directed by William James Craft.

Painting the Town

Glenn Tryon and Patsy Ruth Miller, headed the cast of Universal's Painting the Town. In his first starring role, Tryon is cast as bucolic inventor Hector Whitmore, who falls for flirtatious city gal Patsy Deveau (Miller). Misinterpreting her fluttering eyelashes as a sign of true and lasting love, Hector follows Patsy to New York, much to the dismay of the girl's wealthy fiance.

The Arizona Whirlwind

Bill's father is murdered by Hawley, one of Dykeman's henchmen, who steals a map proving Farley's claim to rich gold claims. Bill, who is engaged to Helen, Dykeman's daughter, routs the gang when they try to dispossess settlers and subsequently eludes a large posse. Later, when Hawley steals a gold shipment, Bill captures him and returns the gold to the Blue Ridge settlers; he is then accused of the robbery, but again he escapes. Disguised as a Spaniard, Bill meets Hawley and discovers him to be his father's murderer; a fight ensues, and Hawley recovers the map and kidnaps Helen in a stagecoach. Bill gives chase, overpowers the villain, and rescues Helen from the burning stagecoach.

Birds of Prey

Helen Wayne and Archie Crossley, two clever pickpockets, rob J. Hamilton Smith, a well-known metropolitan banker, and he is later recognized by one of their gang as a former prisonmate; they demand a price for their silence, and he is forced to accede.

King of the Saddle

A cowboy discovers that his stock is all but worthless due to the bankruptcy of a ranch owner. The supposedly worthless stock certificate bears the name of waitress Joan Meredith's long-lost father, who suddenly reappears to save Cody from ruin.

The Galloping Cowboy

Bill Crane is a fun-loving cowboy who likes to play pranks with an Australian bull-whip, much to the dismay of his ranch-owning uncle, Pete Perry. Bill and his cousin, Jack Perry, compete for the affections of Mary Pinkleby. Jack, unknown to Bill, is also an outlaw gang-leader, known as Poncho. The latter frames Bill as being the gang leader, and now Bill has to elude the sheriff and also prove his own innocence.

The Silent Flyer

This movie was billed as a thriller with ice boats, dynamite, and a dog that saves the day. The original movie has been lost. It survives as a 90 second trailer. This trailer is also available on "More Treasures of the AFA" without the video game music.

Lightnin' Strikes

Lightnin' the German Shepherd dog strikes!

Love on the Rio Grande

A 1925 silent Western.

Blue Wing's Revenge

A short melodrama. A girl is held hostage in an Indian village, but is rescued by Tom, after which they are chased by Indians. The Indian girl Blue Wing is also in love with Tom, but she puts a stop to the chase when she sees how strong the love between Tom and the girl actually is.

The Powerful Eye

Two cowboys are in love with a single lass. A hypnotist shows up one as a sheik which turns her affections to the other. Morrison as the "sheik" desires to regain her interest. He studies hypnotism. His powers of putting his fellow ranchmen, who are wise to the situation, asleep, works to perfection. But his competitor does not fall but fells him instead. This reawakens the girl's interests and she forgets about the sheik qualities of the other cowboy as played by Morrison.

In the Days of Daniel Boone

Presumed lost. 15-episode serialized Western directed by William James Craft. A trailer is included in the DVD More Treasures from American Film Archives, 1894-1931: 50 Films.

Lonesome Luck

Lonesome Luck is a 1923 silent film.

God's Crucible

Their father, Michael Kalmar, imprisoned in Siberia, political refugees Ivan and Irma Kalmar seek freedom in Winnipeg, Canada. Encountering persecution at the hands of prejudiced neighbors, including their father's enemy, Makaroff. Ivan's violin playing both attracts Marjorie Menzies and earns him the enmity of District Attorney Mortimer Staunton, a rival for her affection. At a party at Makaroff's home, Irma is insulted, her abuser is slain and Ivan arrested. Her escapee father confesses to the murder but both men are freed when a family servant who admits to the murder.

Wolf Pack

Short film directed and written by William James Craft. Released in 1922

Wolf Pack

Short film directed and written by William James Craft. Released in 1922

Headin' West

Bill Perkins, a war veteran bumming his way across the country with an airplane pilot, is forced to disembark via parachute when he arrives at a familiar spot. He lands in the midst of a cattlemen's dispute, gets a job as a dishwasher, and learns of a conspiracy to steal the ranch from its absent heir.

Cameron of the Royal Mounted

A young Scottish immigrant to Canada becomes a member of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police.

Double Crossers

Double Crossers is a 1921 silent film.

Crossed Clues

Crossed Clues is a 1921 silent Western.

Who Was the Man?

Hoot appears on a ranch as a tenderfoot whose father wants to make a man of him. He falls in love with the rancher's daughter, but when all the cowboys rough him up without any retaliation on his part, the girls passes him up. She is just about to marry the foreman of the ranch, when Hoot shows him up as the head of a band of cattle rustlers, and discloses that he is not a tenderfoot but a Texas Ranger. Then the girl wants him back but Hoot gives her the laugh.

The Show Down

Cowboy Snappy Walton (Art Acord) trying to same a damsel in distress, hunting down the bad men that's troubling her in this 2-reel western.

The White Rider

Short film directed and written by William James Craft. Released in 1920.

The White Rider

Short film directed and written by William James Craft. Released in 1920.

Buffalo Bill's Wild West and Pawnee Bill's Far East

Highlights from the Buffalo Bill's Wild West and Pawnee Bill's Far East shows.