Film vs Film
Select two cult films to compare side by side.
Burning the Candle Synopsis
Beneath the moonlight of the southern skies Molly Carrington, daughter of the south, pledges her heart and hand to "Jimmie" Maxwell on the eve of the young man's departure to New York, where his knowledge or cotton has won him a good position in a cotton broker's office. They are married and depart for the metropolis. Due to Maxwell's transition from his calm and uneventful home life to the maelstrom of worldly battle, he succumbs to liquor's lure, and from a stalwart husband is dragged to the depths or Demon Rum's depravity. He loses his position and Molly leaves him, returning to her southern home. As a "down-and-outer" Maxwell sees in a Mobile paper a rumor that his wife plans to divorce him and marry his former rival. Alfred Lewis. His smoldering love for Molly flares up to expose vividly the curse which drink has placed upon him. Maxwell throws off his alcoholic yoke, becomes a man again, and wins back his position. He finds Molly waiting for him the first day he enters the office.
Skinner's Bubble Synopsis
William Manning Skinner, having attained a junior partnership in the firm of McLaughlin and Perkins, aspires to higher things. He figures that by working for himself he can become the Napoleon of the industrial world. He resigns his position and sets up in business for himself on a big scale. Skinner runs onto the verge of bankruptcy. He neglected to note that the prestige of the old-established firm he left had been largely responsible for his past success. Does he confess his failure to Honey, his adoring little wife? No. He informs her casually he is making money so fast he cannot count it. Honey confides to Mrs. McLaughlin, who in turn tells her husband. McLaughlin and Perkins decide they have made a tremendous mistake in letting Skinner get out of the firm. So it happens that just as Skinner is preparing to go into bankruptcy, a miserable failure, the partners make him a staggering offer to become again a member of their firm. It was Skinner's bluff that did it, coupled with Honey's unfailing belief in her husband's Napoleonic might.
"Burning the Candle" holds a slight edge in general audience appreciation, but "Skinner's Bubble" offers its own unique cult appeal.
Suggested Watch:
Burning the Candle