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Select two cult films to compare side by side.
The Broken Gate Synopsis
When Don Lane returns from college to visit his mother in the town of Spring Valley, where she has worked in a millinery shop to support him since his infancy. There Don learns that he is an illegitimate child and that his mother is still denounced in Spring Valley. When he fights some cruel townsmen in defense of his mother's name, he lands in jail, although he is soon freed by "Hod" Brooks, a lawyer and long-time friend of Aurora's. Soon after, Don is jailed again, on circumstantial evidence, for the murder of the town drunkard; in despair, Aurora goes to visit Judge William Henderson, who is the guardian of Don's sweetheart Anne Oglesby. Aurora pleads with the judge to defend Don in court; when he refuses, Aurora threatens to expose Henderson as Don's father. Together with Anne, who has overheard the conversation, Aurora forces Henderson to take Don's case. A lynch mob attacks the Spring Valley jail, only to discover that Don has escaped. The mob then proceeds to Aurora's house, which they almost destroy. Don arrives in time to save his mother by threatening the mob with a revolver, and soon after, Henderson and Brooks arrive with the news that a half-witted boy has committed the murder. After the mob disperses, Henderson offers to atone for his sins by marrying Aurora, but she refuses him. Aurora is united with Brooks, and Don with Anne.
The Redemption of Dave Darcey Synopsis
After landing a big "haul," Dave Darcey, a crook, decides to spend part of his booty by holding a dance for his followers. Paddy Burns, leader of a rival faction, decides to settle an old score with Dave by breaking up the affair. On the night of the dance he goes at the head of his gang with the avowed intention to "get" Dave. In the struggle, Dave shoots Paddy and makes good his escape. He is seen by Phillip Brenton, the son of the owner of the steel works, who thinks he is there to rob the house and demands an explanation, Dave explains the whole affair to him, and Phillip gives him a chance to make good by giving him a job in the steel plant. Phillip's father is not so sure of Dave's reformation, and tests him by leaving a large roll of bills exposed. Dave sees the money and a struggle with his other self follows. The new Dave comes out the winner and he returns the money. The Baroness Von Ehrenstein, a secret agent for a foreign government, learns that the Benton Steel Works have accepted a huge war order for a nation hostile to her own. She gets permission from Phillip to visit the plant on the pretext of getting local color for a novel she is writing. Phillip personally guides her and her accomplices through the plant and they make a thorough study of the place. Phillip has become greatly interested in the Baroness and is neglecting his fiancée, Grace. The latter notices his continued absence and asks Dave the cause. The latter, in order to protect Phillip, tells her that it is business. Dave, suspicious of the Baroness, warns Phillip of her and his young employer resents his interference and discharges him. While Phillip is in a drunken stupor, the Baroness steals his office keys from him and gives them to her confederates who hasten to the steel works. Suspicious of their actions, Dave follows them and sees them plant bombs in the factory. He tries to foil them and a fight follows. Dave is finally subdued and is left, bound hand and foot, by the burning bombs. He rolls himself over to a saw and works frantically till he severs his bonds. He then starts to stamp out the fuses of the bombs, but one of them explodes and he is caught in the wreckage. The watchman, having seen part of the struggle, follows the conspirators. The police arrive at the scene and are closely followed by Phillip and his father. The latter accuses Dave of attempting to destroy his plant, and also charges him with the murder of Paddy Burns. The watchman returns with the real culprits and tells the true story, thus clearing Dave of guilt. One of the policemen then tell Dave that he need not fear of trial for murder, as Paddy is still alive, having been only slightly injured by the shot. Dave is acquitted of the charge of assault which he had to answer to for the shooting and returns to a better job with the Benton Steel Works. Phillip and Grace are reunited.
"The Broken Gate" holds a slight edge in general audience appreciation, but "The Redemption of Dave Darcey" offers its own unique cult appeal.
Suggested Watch:
The Broken Gate