Film vs Film
Select two cult films to compare side by side.
No Man's Woman Synopsis
On his return from an adventure in the gold fields, a young Westerner returns to his home only to learn that his wife and child had been taken away by a gambler named Cullen. He vows to seek revenge and starts out in search for them. In his search he meets a dance hall belle, touted 'no man's woman.' Meanwhile Cullen has deserted the girl and child. The dance hall belle, while trying to save another neighbor's child, finds herself nursing the wronged woman. The wanderer reaches the home, but the wronged woman recognizing him, tells the dancer her story and then dies. The dancer takes the child to her home, and she loses the respect of her friends. The wanderer arrives at the saloon just in time to save her from Cullen, but ridicules her on learning that she is a dance hall performer. Cullen is persistent in his wooing, appeals to the wanderer with whom she has fallen in love fail. In a final effort the girl brings the child to the saloon so that she might win him. The child on seeing Cullen rushes to him and calls him 'Daddy Cullen.' The wanderer realizing he has finally met his man proceeds to punish him. A bystander who had a grudge against Cullen shoots him. Realizing that the dance hall girl had been a good mother to his child, the wanderer decides to settle down and all ends happily. Exhibitor's Trade Review, 1921.
Man's Plaything Synopsis
While working as a flower girl in Devlin Maddox's nightclub, Nellie Vaughan meets wealthy young Pelton Van Teel and falls in love. Maddox, desirous of using Nellie to blackmail Van Teel, spreads a rumor that she is his mistress. This makes Nellie uncomfortable, and she demands that Van Teel marry her immediately, to which he agrees. Meanwhile, Van Teel has been losing money gambling to Maddox, who threatens to break up the marriage by producing a worthless check that the young husband has written. Venturing to Maddox's apartment for a showdown, Nellie pulls a gun and demands the check, accidentally shooting Maddox when he throws a lamp at her. Maddox plans to charge Nellie with assault, but when the police arrive, his butler, actually a detective employed by the elder Van Teel, exposes Maddox, who is then arrested, clearing the path for the couple's happiness.
"No Man's Woman" holds a slight edge in general audience appreciation, but "Man's Plaything" offers its own unique cult appeal.
Suggested Watch:
No Man's WomanBoth films share