Film vs Film
Select two cult films to compare side by side.
Perils of the Coast Guard Synopsis
When Coast Guard Captain Tom Norris, at Point Lobos, Maine, save Natalie Aldridge from drowning, a romance blossoms much to the dislike of Carlton Aldrich, Natalie's uncle, who wishes her to marry Lonsdayle. In spite of her uncle, Natalie and Tom are married and live in a small cottage near the Coast Guard station, and Aldridge ignores them. Tom is assigned to capture the oyster pirates and does so, but the pirate leader escapes and plans to keep Tom from testifying against his men by kidnapping Natalie. (This film, and a few other Paul Gerson films, were never copyrighted.)
The Only Son Synopsis
Thomas Brainerd, Sr., as a prospector, is a dutiful and loving husband and father. Two children, Gertrude and Thomas, Jr., are born while the Brainerds live in a log cabin in the mountains. Brainerd strikes gold, goes to New York, where he becomes a financial power. He neglects his wife, devotes every moment of his time to his growing industries, simply supplies funds to his family, and his wife, alone and melancholy, is fascinated by an artist and consents to "sit" for a painting. Feeling her neglect keenly, Mrs. Brainerd becomes a victim to the wiles of the artist, who, however, is killed by the husband of a former victim before the affair has progressed too far. Brainerd, learning of his wife's affair with the artist, orders her from the house. Thomas, Jr. sides with and accompanies his mother. Heretofore a worthless spendthrift, Thomas now becomes ambitious and joins interest with a penniless inventor, goes west, establishes a factory, makes a go of it, sells out to his father at an enormous advance, convinces his father that his mother is innocent and, as he transfers the invention to his father's firm, sees his mother in his father's arms, which example he immediately follows by proposing to the girl he has always loved.
"Perils of the Coast Guard" holds a slight edge in general audience appreciation, but "The Only Son" offers its own unique cult appeal.
Suggested Watch:
Perils of the Coast Guard