Film vs Film
Select two cult films to compare side by side.
Half an Hour Synopsis
In order to help her father, Lord Dartmouth, out of financial difficulties, Lady Lillian agrees to marry the wealthy Richard Garson, whose love she does not reciprocate. After a bitter scene with Richard, Lillian consents to elope with her former suitor, Hugh Paton, leaving her jewels and a letter of explanation behind. Arriving at Paton's rooms, Lillian is told by his maid, Susie, that he is a womanizer. Just then, Dr. George Brodie arrives, carrying the body of Paton who was killed by a taxi. Lillian returns and tries to retrieve her note, but finds the drawer locked. When she appears at dinner, she finds Dr. Brodie, coincidentally invited to dinner by Richard, relating the strange story of that afternoon. Richard speculates on the woman's identity, but the doctor keeps Lillian's secret. Lillian later is able to recover her note and Richard begs her pardon for any suspicions which he had about her. Finally, realizing her husband's love, Lillian confesses all.
The Little Duchess Synopsis
Evelyn Carmichael, a poor widow aware that she is about to die, writes to her wealthy father-in-law Lord Carmichael, who had disowned his son years earlier, pleading that he rescue his granddaughter Geraldine, known as Jerry, from a life in the slums. Lord Carmichael, an avowed woman-hater since his wife disappeared years earlier with his brother, expects Jerry to be a boy and is appalled to find otherwise. However, the lord is won over by Jerry's sweetness, and when Jim Dawson, a neighbor of Jerry's from the tenements, arrives at Carnimore Castle with his daughter Sophia, whom he is trying to pass off as Jerry, the lord exposes them as impostors and then expels them from his castle. Meanwhile, Jerry has also won over the hearts of the servants, whom she is drilling into a play army. One day, while on an excursion into an unused tower of the castle, they discover a locked room in which reside two skeletons. A note near one of the skeletons explains that Lord Carmichael's wife and his brother had been exploring the tower when the lock sprung and trapped them, causing their deaths. Lord Carmichael, realizing that his wife didn't betray him, has his faith in women restored and makes Jerry mistress of the castle.
"Half an Hour" holds a slight edge in general audience appreciation, but "The Little Duchess" offers its own unique cult appeal.
Suggested Watch:
Half an Hour