Film vs Film
Select two cult films to compare side by side.
Paradise Island Synopsis
Ellen Bradford comes to the South Sea Island of Tonga to marry her fiancé and finds out that he is a drunk. She also finds out that she is the only white woman on the island and, as such, has three men taking a deep interest in her. She has written off her fiancé and has learned quickly that "Dutch Mike" Lutze is not to be trusted in any way. That leaves Jim Thorne, the only man who has ever bested Lutze in anything and, while Jim is an adventurer and pirate-at-heart, he knows how to be a gentleman, especially to the only white woman in town or on the island. Lutze is offended. They play poker for a plantation, Ellen, and all the pearls in the Pacific; the loser gets Poppi. Lutz has a marked deck of cards.
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.
"Paradise Island" holds a slight edge in general audience appreciation, but "The Great Shadow" offers its own unique cult appeal.
Suggested Watch:
Paradise IslandBoth films share