Film vs Film
Select two cult films to compare side by side.
The Bad Lands Synopsis
Hal Owen, late of West Point, is traveling in a wagon train to join his father's regiment at Fort Sumner in the Bad Lands, when a lone rider tries to warn the wagon train of an impending Indian attack. Owen, struck with cowardice, escapes on the rider's horse, leaving others to battle the Indians. After the Indians attack the wagon train, only "Freckles," the young son of a pioneer family, and Patrick Angus O'Toole, the lone rider, survive. O'Toole, known in the Army as "Famous Sergeant O'Toole," is also on his way to Fort Sumner and is assigned to clear up a smuggling operation there. Because of his un-soldierly appearance, O'Toole has difficulty gaining the troops' confidence. His difficulties increase when he thrashes Captain Blake for forcing his attentions on Mary Owen, the colonel's daughter, whom he secretly admires. Incensed, Blake vents his anger on her brother, Hal Owen, by giving him only twenty-four hours to pay his gambling debts. Hal Owen attempts to hold up the Pony Express, but Blake arranges for O'Toole to be arrested for the crime. Colonel Owen leaves his son in charge of the fort while the garrison rides out to reconnoiter. Suddenly, the Indians attack the fort, and during the excitement Freckles frees O'Toole, who finds Hal Owen hiding in a corner, trembling in fear. When O'Toole finally gets him to fight, Hal Owen battles the Indians like a demon until he is fatally wounded. The garrison returns to turn the tide of battle, and Charlie Squirrel, a half-breed, is captured and confesses to smuggling guns and liquor with the aid of Captain Blake, the leader of the band. Hal Owen, on his deathbed, confesses to the robbery, clearing O'Toole. Mary and O'Toole are united.
My Wife Synopsis
To prevent her niece from becoming an old maid, Beatrice Hammond's aunt stipulates in her will that the girl must be married by the age of eighteen or sacrifice a million dollar inheritance. Beatrice is in love with Ronald Farwell, but he has been called to fight against the Germans in France, so Beatrice approaches her guardian, Gerald Eversleigh, with a plan: Gerald will marry her, thus insuring that she will inherit the fortune, but divorce her as soon as Ronald returns. The wedding is staged, and all goes well until Gerald falls in love with his wife. Meanwhile, Ronald falls in love with a French nurse and, upon his return home, offers to pay Gerald to remain married to Beatrice. Gerald happily accepts the offer but refuses the money, and Beatrice discovers that she has loved her husband all along.
"The Bad Lands" holds a slight edge in general audience appreciation, but "My Wife" offers its own unique cult appeal.
Suggested Watch:
The Bad Lands