Film vs Film
Select two cult films to compare side by side.
Arizona Nights Synopsis
Jeff Decker, with the help of Indian leader Red Dog, orchestrates a series of raids on the town of Coldwater, planning to drive the residents out of town and buy up all of their horses, while also starting false rumors of a gold strike outside of town so he can sell phony claims to prospective miners. He hires Fred Coulter, a struggling miner, to buy the horses. Decker also decides that he wants pretty Ruth Browning, whose aunt owns the local eating establishment. Fred learns of Decker's duplicity, and tries to get the miners and townspeople together to fight off an impending Indian attack orchestrated by Decker.
The Fox Woman Synopsis
Hunchbacked Japanese artist Marashida, marries Jewel, the daughter of Yasakuj. Their happy married life is destroyed when the daughter of an American missionary, Alice Carroway, known as Ali-San, persuades Marashida to pose for her sculpture of the deformed god Ni-O. While Marashida's character gradually deforms, Yasakuji recognizes in Ali-San the traits of the legendary Fox Woman, who because she had no soul of her own, stole those of others, sometimes turning warriors into crazy beasts. After Jewel, to please Marashida, indulges Ali-San's demand that she be her "playmate," she suffers further humiliation when Ali-San makes her the servant in her father's mission. Finally, Jewel discards the American clothes she is made to wear and, dressed in her wedding robes, goes to her ancestors' tomb to commit harakiri. When Yasakuji climbs up Ali-San's balcony, and she sees his face in her mirror, she accidentally falls off the balcony to her death. Released from Ali-San's spell, Marashida takes Jewel's dagger from her, and they live happily again.
"Arizona Nights" holds a slight edge in general audience appreciation, but "The Fox Woman" offers its own unique cult appeal.
Suggested Watch:
Arizona Nights