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Select two cult films to compare side by side.
Bigger Than Barnum's Synopsis
To enliven business, a circus manager orders a tightrope troupe, consisting of Peter Blandin, his son Robert, and Juanita Calles, to work without safety nets. When Peter becomes too ill to perform, his son refuses to take his place, not wishing to endanger the life of Juanita, with whom he is in love. The father performs in spite of his illness and is seriously injured by a fall; Robert, branded a coward, leaves and becomes a vagrant, while Carl Ravelle, an arrogant wire walker, takes Blandin's place and forces his attentions on Juanita. When Blandin's hotel catches on fire, Robert, breaking through the firelines, walks across a telegraph wire and rescues his father from the burning building, thus proving his courage and winning the respect and love of Juanita.
My Lady's Slipper Synopsis
Francis Burnham, a young American naval officer in the time of King Louis XVI of France, escapes from a British convict ship. He is desirous of reaching Paris to see Benjamin Franklin, then his country's Minister, but upon his arrival there learns Franklin is away. He meets Bucknall, an old shipmate, and earns his everlasting gratitude by helping him out of financial difficulties. Later, strolling through the suburbs of Paris, he has the good fortune to rescue a beautiful lady from a highwayman, but does not learn her name. Meanwhile his restless nature gets him into gambling, he loses all and becomes indebted to a stranger who proves to be the Marquis de Tremignon. By threats and promises to wipe out his obligations, the Marquis secures Burnham's aid in the scheme he has in mind. He tells the young American that he is in love with the Countess De Villars. and she with him but her grandfather objects, so the Marquis plans to force his consent by securing some article of wearing apparel from the Countess and thus compromise her. Burnham is to be his agent. He does not think very highly of the job, but when the Marquis threatens him with imprisonment, he consents. That night he enters the Countess' apartments and succeeds in securing one of her slippers but is confronted a moment later by the lady herself. She proves to be the lady he rescued from the highwayman. Crushed and humiliated, Burnham tells his story and she believes him. He learns that she hates the Marquis and that the rascal is really trying to force her into a marriage in this cowardly fashion. Before she goes she gives him her slipper to take to the Marquis, but instead he keeps it and denounces that gentleman to his face for which he is imprisoned. The slipper Burnham entrusts to Bucknell for safe keeping, and the old seaman takes it to the Countess, telling her what has transpired. She helps Burnham to escape from prison, but he is captured by the Marquis's soldiers before he can reach the border. The Countess's influence, however, secures an audience with Queen Marie Antoinette, as a result of which the Marquis is humiliated while Burnham is freed, and marries the Countess.
"Bigger Than Barnum's" holds a slight edge in general audience appreciation, but "My Lady's Slipper" offers its own unique cult appeal.
Suggested Watch:
Bigger Than Barnum's