Film vs Film
Select two cult films to compare side by side.
Fighting the Flames Synopsis
Horatio Manly Jr. (William Haines), the only son of Judge Horatio Manly (David Torrence), is disowned by his father for obstructing firemen during a hotel fire. He later redeems himself by rescuing a young woman, Alice Doran (Dorothy Devore) and a street urchin, Mickey (Frankie Darro) from a burning building...and capturing Mickey's wicked father Big Jim (Sheldon Lewis), an escaped convict.
The Great Shadow Synopsis
Jim McDonald, the foreman of a shipbuilding plant and head of the labor union, strives to combat the anarchistic propaganda being put forth by Klimoff, the leader of a Bolshevik gang whose goal is to disrupt the country with strikes and anarchy. Despite McDonald's efforts, a strike is called, resulting in chaos. McDonald's child is knocked down by runaway horses abandoned by their striking driver, and dies. Mob scenes take place in America, as well as in Russia. Eventually, the unrest is quelled with an armistice called between Capital and Labor for a year, during which time wages are to be increased to reflect the cost of living, and leaders are to work out a common plan for their mutual advantage. The strikers now realize that they have been pawns of the Bolsheviks and call off the strike, agreeing to the plan.
"Fighting the Flames" holds a slight edge in general audience appreciation, but "The Great Shadow" offers its own unique cult appeal.
Suggested Watch:
Fighting the FlamesBoth films share