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Select two cult films to compare side by side.
The Alibi Synopsis
To help his dying father, assistant bank cashier Arthur Mansfield enters a fake sum in the bank's account book, but before carrying out the pilferage, he confesses to cashier Slayton, his superior. Slayton, who needs money to pay for his unsuccessful speculations, goes at night to take the money that Mansfield planned to embezzle, so that Mansfield will take the blame. Slayton shoots a watchman who confronts him and leaves evidence to frame Mansfield. Despite Mansfield's conviction for second-degree murder, his fiancée Enid, the bank president's daughter, believes in his innocence and hires a detective. When Slayton, out of curiosity, visits Mansfield in prison, Mansfield vows revenge. Slayton gradually becomes overcome with fear that Mansfield will escape, and when Mansfield does escape and arrives at Slayton's home, Slayton commits suicide. Mansfield is sought as Slayton's murderer, but Enid's detective finds a suicide note to Slayton's wife that establishes Mansfield's innocence. Mansfield regains his former position and resumes his romance with Enid.
Her Right to Live Synopsis
Polly Biggs helps care for her younger brother and sisters, while her widowed mother works hard as a seamstress to earn a living. Mayor Hoadley, Mrs. Biggs' brother, a crooked politician, calls to sympathize with her on the death of her husband, and Polly takes a dislike to him. Within a short time Mrs. Biggs dies and for the sake of appearances, Hoadley and his wife take the children to live with them. Oxmore, a reform candidate, opposes Hoadley's re-election. His son John, an artist, meets Polly and calls on her at the Hoadley mansion, where he saves her from the advances of Hawkins, a ward boss who "has something" on Hoadley. Hawkins threatens to "get" John for his interference, and the threat is heard by Hoadley. Polly and the children are treated so badly that they run away to the poorhouse, which later burns; Polly saves the children, and they wander to a bungalow in the woods, John, who owns the bungalow, finds them there, and permits them to stay all night. During the night Hoadley visits Hawkins and kills him in self-defense, using a cane that John has inadvertently left at his house, when John goes to town he is arrested. Polly and the children are his only alibi, and he cannot tell of Polly's presence. The evidence is strong against him, and if he is convicted his father will lose the election. Polly, who has been sent away by Hoadley, returns in time to straighten matters.
"The Alibi" holds a slight edge in general audience appreciation, but "Her Right to Live" offers its own unique cult appeal.
Suggested Watch:
The Alibi