Film vs Film
Select two cult films to compare side by side.
Environment Synopsis
Liz and her alcoholic father are rejected by the young people in the staid little New England village where they live. One day, Henry Penfield, the new minister, comes to town and is attracted to Liz. On the same train as Henry is Arnold Brice, a young artist who takes a fancy to Mildred Holcombe, the prettiest girl in town and the daughter of a deacon of the church. Mildred falls in love with Arnold, but her brother Arthur threatens to kill the artist if he finds them together. Ignoring Arthur's threats, Mildred goes to the artist's studio. Liz discovers that Arthur has followed her and runs to the studio to warn them. When Arthur arrives, Liz sacrifices her honor to save Mildred and confesses that she was having an affair with Arnold. The deacons then decide to send Liz away because of her disgrace, and Henry, overhearing Liz bid goodbye to Mildred, discovers the truth. That Sunday, he tenders his resignation and announces that he is going to marry Liz.
The Masqueraders Synopsis
David Remon loves barmaid Dulcie, not by choice but by force of circumstances, and attempts to persuade her to marry him rather than submit to a life of drudgery. But Dulcie is thoroughly independent and prefers to earn her own living. Life at the inn, however, soon becomes irksome to Dulcie, who grows so tired of it that she is ready to accept the first wealthy man who proposes to her. A charity auction is held at the inn, to help the family of a poor man and Dulcie auctions off a kiss. David, bent upon preventing anyone from kissing her in public bids every cent he has in the effort to gain the prize himself. But Sir Brice, a bon vivant, doubles his offering and adds his hand in the bargain. Dulcie accepts the proposal, but soon finds that her husband, when under the influence of liquor, is a very ugly tempered man. As the years drag on, Sir Brice becomes more and more intolerable, until at last he openly humiliates Dulcie and insults her guests at a reception. He demands that someone gamble with him, and grows abusive when they refuse. Finally, David, who has remained faithful to Dulcie through all the years, in a desperate game, stakes his entire fortune against Dulcie herself. Sir Brice is penniless, having squandered his fortune, and he gladly offers his wife as the prize. After a nerve-wracking battle of wits, David wins. It is not before Dulcie, thoroughly disillusioned, accepts the verdict of the god of chance and finds a new happiness with the man whose love has remained constant.
"Environment" holds a slight edge in general audience appreciation, but "The Masqueraders" offers its own unique cult appeal.
Suggested Watch:
Environment