Film vs Film
Select two cult films to compare side by side.
A Woman of Impulse Synopsis
Leonora is the daughter of a poor lace-maker. She possesses a beautiful voice, but is not aware of the opportunity it offers her. Wealthy Americans Mr. and Mrs. Stuart discover its powers, and after her mother's death they adopt Leonora and her younger sister Nina. Shortly afterwards she blossoms forth in Paris as its idol. She is now "La Vecci," a much-admired and sought-after prima donna. One of her most ardent suitors is Count Nerval of Spain, whom she refuses to marry because of his unusually jealous disposition--although she does love him. His American cousin Phillip also becomes infatuated with the singer. Jealous of this new rival, Nerval almost forces Leonora to marry him. They depart for America for their honeymoon. Nina, accompanying them, meets young doctor Paul Spencer aboard ship and they fall in love. Leonora goes on tour in the States and when in the South receives an invitation to visit Phillip and his parents. He again makes love to her, but she remains faithful to her marriage vows, so fickle Phillip turns his attention on Nina. Jealous Nerval breaks with Leonora for the time being because of her presence in his cousin's home. Nina receives a letter from Paul saying that he is coming to visit. Leonora shows the letter to Phillip, asking her to discontinue favoring Nina with his attention. That night Phillip attempts to kiss the charmer; afraid, she tries to stab him with a dagger. He easily defends himself and seizes her in his arms and she faints, but when she recovers, she discovers Phillip dead. When Paul arrives, he conducts an investigation and proves that Leonora could not have inflicted the wound. Soon after, a Creole girl confesses to the deed. She had loved Phillip. Later Leonora and her husband are reunited. Motion Picture News, September 28, 1918
Nedra Synopsis
When two love-sick young people run off to be married, and aren't caught, they usually get married. It was different with Grace Vernon and Hugh Ridgway, though. Worn out by the social affairs given in honor of their approaching marriage, they elope in the wee small hours of a certain summer morning, and being mistaken for housebreakers by the gardener and other members of the household, are pursued. A couple of cops as added starters make the chase even more interesting, and they don't breathe easily until, a couple of hours after climbing a rope ladder up the side of an ocean liner, they come out from their hiding place and find themselves at sea. Not nearly so much "at sea" then, however, as later, when Hugh finds that Grace is much smitten with Henry Veath, an old-time friend of his. Hugh cares nothing about the fact that Lady Tenny, another passenger, seems to care more for his society than for anyone else. Comes a typhoon, the ship is dashed on the rocks, and in the ensuing darkness and panic Hugh makes a brave attempt to save one who clings closely to him, one he thinks to be Grace. Then blackness, and with returning consciousness and the light, the realization that he is cast away on a strange tropical isle, the isle of Nedra, with Lady Tenny. Add to this that they are found and worshiped as two gods by the savage natives of the isle; that their enforced wedding is interrupted by the landing of a U.S. ship; that Hugh goes home only to find Grace married to Veath; that he finds that he doesn't care a particle; that he rushes back to Lady Tenny, and you have just a bare conception of this romantic love story.
"A Woman of Impulse" holds a slight edge in general audience appreciation, but "Nedra" offers its own unique cult appeal.
Suggested Watch:
A Woman of Impulse