Film vs Film
Select two cult films to compare side by side.
The Daring of Diana Synopsis
Twenty-five years before the story opens, Jason Brisco, owner of the Daily Argus, became embittered by the death of his wife, whose life was snubbed out as her child was born. In his anguish he seeks consolation in travel. After all these years Briscoe's son, John, is editor of the Argus and has won a reputation for absolute honesty. He receives a telegram from Paris telling him to prepare to receive his father, who is coming on the next boat. The days drag for John, who is impatient to get a glimpse of the father he has never seen, but when he arrives John is disappointed. The man does not measure up to the strong, honest character with which John invested his father; his face is cunning, his eyes shifty. Just before the arrival of his father John had been honored by a visit from the leaders of a certain political faction who came to buy the support of the Argus, but who went away with sad faces. Hearing of the return of the elder Briscoe, they return once more, determined to buy either the support of the Argus or the paper itself. In Jason Briscoe they find a man to their liking, for, although he will not sell his support, he is eager to bargain for the sale of the paper. Despite John's protests arrangements are made, and the signature of Jason Briscoe to the documents is all that is now required. In fond anticipation of the large purchase price, Briscoe is about to affix his signature to the bill of sale, when the door is thrown open unceremoniously and Diana Pearson, star reporter of the Argus, enters and commands the attention of all those present. Recognizing her and terrified at her appearance at this inopportune moment, Briscoe jumps from his chair and tries to escape, but runs right into the arms of a waiting policeman, who brings him back and forces him to listen to Diana's tale. After the arrival of Jason Briscoe from Paris Diana had seen a woman following his automobile, and thought it worth her while to investigate the cause. On reaching Briscoe's house she heard a loud report, and entering found the woman on the floor, shot. Diana attempted to leave the house to summon aid, but was detained and thrown into a cellar with the other woman by "Briscoe" and his valet. Here, when she regained consciousness, the woman told Diana of how the man who is posing as Briscoe had trapped the real Briscoe in Paris and left him in the care of an Apache on the outskirts of the city. His real name, she said, is Stange, and he is one whom she has ample reason to hate. Diana was horrified by the story, but she realized her helplessness; she was unable to prevent the sale of the paper. Then she thought of a plan, and made Stange her innocent accomplice. Unknowingly he carried word of her plight to the Argus office with him, and one of the reporters started out immediately with a number of policemen to her rescue. After her release Diana rushed straight to the office where she was fortunate in arriving in time to prevent the illegal sale. Seeing that all is known, Stange makes a frantic attempt to escape from his captors, but is shot to death in the struggle. Two weeks later a cable to the Prefect of Police in Paris has secured the release of Briscoe from the Apache's den, and in the office of the Argus he is introduced to his future daughter-in-law, Diana Pearson, reporter.
The Hunted Woman Synopsis
Sir Daniel Grey, dying in India, begs his daughter, Joanne, to marry the man of his choice, Mortimer Fitzhugh, and she finally consents, although disliking the man. The marriage ceremony is performed at Sir Daniel's deathbed, and at its conclusion, all present receive a shock when a former mistress of Mortimer's confronts them. Joanne, horrified at the woman's story, refuses to live with her husband and runs away to America. There she receives news of her husband's death while hunting in the wilds of British Columbia, and her relief is great. But two years later she hears that her husband is alive, and the old fear returns. Determined to prove for herself the truth, Joanne leaves for the railroad construction camp high up in the mountains of British Columbia. She is maliciously directed to Bill Quade's place, thus falling into the clutches of the worst men in the camp. He conceives a violent love for Joanne and tries to force his caresses upon her, but is prevented by John Aldrous, a young novelist and explorer and his companion, Donald McDonald, typical old mountaineer. Bill swears he will have the girl, and John places her under the protection of his friends, Paul Blackton and his wife. She and Aldrous fall in love, but her former marriage is a barrier to their happiness. While watching blasting operations Joanne and Aldrous wander into the cavern which is to act as the air chamber for the explosion of several tons of dynamite and are trapped there by a landslide. Expecting death momentarily, they are saved by the fact that the exploding wires were broken by the landslide and they are rescued. Meanwhile, Quade and his gang have been on the trail of Aldrous and Joanne, and after some exciting adventures, one of the crooks turns out to be Joanne's first husband. In a struggle with John he is killed, freeing Joanne forever and when John has recovered from his experience, he and Joanne are reunited in permanent happiness and love.
"The Daring of Diana" holds a slight edge in general audience appreciation, but "The Hunted Woman" offers its own unique cult appeal.
Suggested Watch:
The Daring of Diana