Film vs Film
Select two cult films to compare side by side.
The American Way Synopsis
Richard Farrington is the hell-raising son of an English nobleman and his American wife, and his parents send him for a visit to his aunt and uncle in Long Island, New York. On the ocean voyage from England, Richard meets Betty Winthrop, the pretty ward of the wealthy Van Allen family, after saving her cat, but in introducing himself he mistakenly gives her the card of John Smithers, a con-man who cheated him at cards in London. He follows Betty to the Van Allen estate, where he hears her declare that she would rather marry an American criminal than a weakling English aristocrat. Determined to win her over, he pretends to be Smithers, but things don't turn out exactly the way he planned.
The Love Mask Synopsis
During the California gold rush, four unsuccessful miners assume that a woman prospector will give in without a fight, so they jump the claim of Kate Kenner and take her gold away from her. Afterward, although she is Sheriff Dan Deering's sweetheart, Kate decides to take the law into her own hands. Donning the trademark black mask of Silver Spurs, the noted bandit, Kate holds up the saloon where the crooks have stored the gold. As she makes her getaway, however, Dan catches her, and after unmasking her, is astonished to discover Silver Spur's true identity. The town puts Kate on trial immediately and a guilty verdict seems assured until the real Silver Spurs, who had greatly admired the masquerade, himself steals the gold and leaves a note exonerating Kate. Then, taking time out from his sheriff's duty, Dan, instead of pursuing Silver Spurs, starts making plans with Kate for their wedding.
"The American Way" holds a slight edge in general audience appreciation, but "The Love Mask" offers its own unique cult appeal.
Suggested Watch:
The American Way