Film vs Film
Select two cult films to compare side by side.
Pretty Smooth Synopsis
Gertie Jones, known among other thieves as "The Chatterbox" because she talks to herself while she works, becomes a rich woman's French maid after learning about her employer's $40,000 diamond necklace. To cover up the scratches left by her tools after she unsuccessfully tries to open the safe containing the necklace, Gertie telephones the police to report an attempted burglary. Jimmy Hartigan, a famous thief, arrives and after he and Gertie fall in love at first sight, he is arrested. After Gertie helps Jimmy escape from prison, they move to New York and continue their illegal endeavors until they see Gertie's sister, whose time in prison has left her consumptive, and a famous crook, now a broken wreck, and decide to go straight for each other's sake. As the "Harts," they buy a farm in New Jersey after foiling the plans of a crooked real estate promoter. When Kersey, a detective on Jimmy's trail, arrives, Jimmy and Gertie pretend to save him from two escaped convicts. The grateful detective, believing that the "Harts" have reformed, refuses to recognize them as the "Hartigans."
The Upper Crust Synopsis
Poor Molly O'Toole takes a job as housekeeper at the country home of wealthy Mrs. J. Van Ranselear Todd. Arriving at "Castle Crags," Molly is mistaken by the villagers for Mrs. Todd, and decides to continue the masquerade, thus attracting the attentions of Captain Hancock, her wealthy neighbor. Meanwhile Mrs. Todd's roguish son Algernon has purchased a donkey and cart from peddler Joe Holmes and is traveling through the country when he arrives at Castle Crags to discover Molly masquerading as his mother. Deciding not to reveal his own identity or expose Molly, Algernon takes a job as her chauffeur. The two fall in love and Algernon begs Molly to marry him, but she is reluctant to part with the captain's millions. A series of events makes Molly believe that her chauffeur has become a forger on her account, however, and she realizes her love for him. She resolves to give up the captain, but at that point Mrs. Todd arrives, claims Algernon as her son and welcomes Molly as her future daughter-in-law.
"Pretty Smooth" holds a slight edge in general audience appreciation, but "The Upper Crust" offers its own unique cult appeal.
Suggested Watch:
Pretty Smooth