Film vs Film
Select two cult films to compare side by side.
Love and Hate Synopsis
Hoping to have Helen Sterling for himself, unscrupulous stockbroker George Howard, with the help of Rita Lawson, makes up a story of having an affair with her and convinces her husband Robert to believe it, thereby prompting him to file for divorce. (Rita's motivation is that she is Robert's former sweetheart and wants to get revenge on him for throwing her over for Helen.) After the court grants Robert the divorce and custody of their little girl, George is still unable to make Helen love him, so he kidnaps her daughter and informs Helen that he will give her back only if she consents to sleep with him. Helen agrees to give in, but then, after her daughter is returned, she finds a revolver in George's apartment and, during a struggle, shoots him. With all the evidence pointing to suicide, Helen is cleared of a murder charge. She tells the real story of her trauma only to Robert, who then realizes the mistake he made in divorcing her. As a result, he asks her to marry him once again, and Helen accepts his proposal.
A Royal Romance Synopsis
Princess Sylvia refuses to marry the Emperor Maximilian of Rhaetia because his proposal has been offered for diplomatic rather than romantic reasons. Learning that Maximilian is traveling to a hunting lodge in a small village, Sylvia follows him, disguised as an untitled English girl, and the emperor immediately falls in love with her. Later, when she saves his life from an assassin at the palace, Maximilian offers to marry her. This disturbs the Prime Minister, who becomes alarmed at the thought of his emperor marrying a commoner, and he sends for Sylvia's brother, who agrees to unmask the supposed adventuress. The unmasking only reveals the Princess Sylvia, however, who then accepts Maximilian's proposal because it is offered from his heart.
"Love and Hate" holds a slight edge in general audience appreciation, but "A Royal Romance" offers its own unique cult appeal.
Suggested Watch:
Love and Hate