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Select two cult films to compare side by side.
A Dream or Two Ago Synopsis
During a jewelry-store holdup, 6-year-old Millicent Hawthorne, the neglected daughter of a wealthy socialite, falls on her head and is carried home to be reared by Mother Gumpf, the leader of the thieves. The fall cost Millicent her memory, but at night she dreams of her former high-society existence, while during the day she works for Gumpf as a pickpocket and later becomes a cabaret dancer. A friend of the Hawthornes sees Millicent perform, recognizes her, and reports back to Mrs. Hawthorne, who has vowed to be a devoted mother should she ever find her daughter. Finally, after the Hawthornes rescue Millicent from Kraft, the lecherous cabaret manager, an operation restores her memory, and she delights in the love of her long-lost mother.
The Fatal Card Synopsis
A notorious gambler and card cheat, George Forrester, rules a little western town with an iron hand. The men of the town plot to catch him cheating and do, but his men save him from danger. In the same town lives Gerald Austen, or Aitkens, who had left his tyrannical father in the east and made good in the west. Later, Forrester and his men rob a payroll messenger for Austen's enterprise. Forrester is apprehended and is about to be hung when Austen saves his life. The man has just been scribbling a message to his daughter who lives in the east and who believes her father a prosperous mine operator. On being saved he tears the card in two and gives half to Austen, saying that if he ever needs a friend that will be his passport. Forrester then returns east, rejoins his daughter and assumes his real name of Marrable. Austen also goes east under his real name of Aitkens and the men later meet but do not recognize each other. Austen falls in love with Margaret Marrable. Marrable's happiness, however, is curtailed by the arrival of his former western associates who threaten to expose his identity if he does not aid them in robbing Austen's father of a shipment of English bonds. He is forced to consent. The gang rents offices opposite those of Austen and await the day of shipment, July 4. Fortune plays into their hands when the boy visits his father to obtain consent for marriage to Margaret. The father refuses and a stormy quarrel ensues, which employees overhear. The son leaves his walking stick. The conspirators enter the office. In order to quiet the elder Austen they hit him over the head with the stick. The blow kills him. The boy returns to make up, finds the door locked and leaves. The others then escape, taking the key with them. Later, the son overhears the gang dividing the spoils. He makes his presence known. They tell him that his death is inevitable. He asks Marrable to take a card out of his pocketbook. Marrable finds it. It is the fatal card. He now knows that Margaret's fiancé is the man who saved his life. In gratitude he takes upon himself responsibility for the crime and makes a supreme sacrifice, paving the way for the lovers' ultimate happiness.
"A Dream or Two Ago" holds a slight edge in general audience appreciation, but "The Fatal Card" offers its own unique cult appeal.
Suggested Watch:
A Dream or Two Ago