Film vs Film
Select two cult films to compare side by side.
One Is Guilty Synopsis
Police Inspector Steve Trent is called to the Radford Arms, a high-rise apartment building that has been taken over by a bank and its apartments now-unoccupied. There, the caretaker "Pop" Daley, leads him to an apartment where Trent finds the dead body of world-champion fighter 'Kid" Roberts. Also present are William Malcolm, Daley's unemployed nephew living in one of the "unoccupied" apartments, and Sally Grey, an unemployed secretary just in from San Francisco, also occupying an apartment unknown to the caretaker. Before long, suspects entering and exiting the building include building-owner Wells Deveroux and his knock-out wife Lola; "Knockout" Walters, a petty-thief and former fired-sparring mate of the murdered man; Jack Allen, Robert's manager, who shows up with three hoodlum bodyguards, a bad attitude and a very sour disposition; "Toledo Eddie" Marchetti, connected to a gambling syndicate; and Mabel Kane, former sweetheart of Roberts until he tossed her out in favor of an unknown "high-society, married dame." Among the many, many clues Trent uncovers are cigarette-butts with two different lipstick-brand marks, including "Tango Flower", suitable for brunettes; a Belgian .44-calibre revolver; a lingerie-filled suitcase; a ticket stub to the Opera Theatre for seat one, center section, row eight; a ladies' glove and perfumed handkerchief; expensive jewels, a diamond ring and bracelet in the dead man's room, and assorted notes, letters, lint and leavings, including a wrist-watch with a missing minute-hand which, of course, has the correct time shown only once an hour...24 times a day. It takes Trent a long time to crack the case, possibly because it takes him a long time time to ask somebody what time it is, or possibly because the title itself is a misnomer number.
An Even Break Synopsis
Claire Curtis, Jimmie Strong and Mary have spent their childhood together in the country. Upon reaching adulthood, Claire goes to New York and becomes a success on stage. Jimmie, who has always dreamed of becoming an inventor, goes to New York to sell the machine he invented, and there he renews his acquaintance with Claire. Soon their old friendship ripens into love. Meanwhile, back in the country, Ralph and David Harding, who are making Jimmie's machine, plan to steal the right to it. Back in New York, Mary appears and informs Claire that she loves Jimmie, and the actress resolves to give her a chance to win him. When it appears that the Hardings' scheme to steal Jimmie's machine will succeed, however, Mary's ardor turns cold. Claire and Jimmie then rush back to the country in time to avert the takeover and save his firm from bankruptcy.
"One Is Guilty" holds a slight edge in general audience appreciation, but "An Even Break" offers its own unique cult appeal.
Suggested Watch:
One Is Guilty