Film vs Film
Select two cult films to compare side by side.
Rio Grande Synopsis
Felipe Lopez hates all "gringos" even though his wife Alice is an American. One day, he takes his young daughter, Maria, and crosses the Mexican border, leaving Alice and their adopted son, Danny O'Neil, behind. Years later Maria is now a rebel fighting with her father against the Mexican government while Danny has become a member of the Texas Rangers. While fleeing across the river from her father's enemies, Maria meets Danny and, failing to recognize her adopted brother, invites him to a dance at her father's hacienda. Danny braves many dangers to attend the ball, where he is captured but escapes with Maria's help. Later, believing that Danny is to blame for the capture of her father, Maria leads an attack on the American town in which the Mexicans are beaten and Maria is made captive. Felipe recognizes Alice, and on his deathbed informs Maria that Danny's foster mother is in fact her own mother. Realizing the folly of her ways and her love for Danny, Maria returns to Mexico to teach the schoolchildren to love their American neighbors. Her penitence thus accomplished, Maria accepts Danny's love.
The Barricade Synopsis
Unnerved by the superiority of John Cook, the new president of the Securities Company, Wall Street business leader Amos Merrill begins to speculate with the trust funds in his control, ultimately losing all the funds. Amos, faced with discovery and disgrace, lies to his daughter Hope that Cook has ruined him; soon after, Hope meets Cook and conceives a plot for revenge. In the meantime, Cook has protected the frail Merrill from prosecution and paid back his debt after sending him away on a vacation to recover his health. Hope, knowing nothing of this, marries Cook and makes his life unbearable, finally conspiring with his business rival Gerald Hastings to ruin her husband and gain control of his funds. When Amos returns from his vacation, he is stunned at what Hope has done and reveals that his lie has resulted in a terrible mistake. Hope begs forgiveness from Cook and they go West together to begin a new life.
"Rio Grande" holds a slight edge in general audience appreciation, but "The Barricade" offers its own unique cult appeal.
Suggested Watch:
Rio Grande