Film vs Film
Select two cult films to compare side by side.
The Forbidden Thing Synopsis
Puritanical Abel Blake is planning to marry the domestically oriented Joan when she is called away to a neighboring fishing village to care for her sick uncle. In her absence, Abel falls under the corrupting influence of some friends who take him to Ryan's, a notorious dance hall, where he meets seductress Glory Prada. Glory determines to make a conquest of Abel, who gradually falls under her spell and finally marries her. After learning of the news, Abel's mother dies of grief and Joan marries Dave, a fisherman. Abel is ostracized by the townspeople because of their animosity towards his wife, who soon tires of him and elopes with Jose Silva, proprietor of a traveling circus. Several years pass, during which time Glory is shot to death by Jose and Dave drowns in a storm, leaving behind Joan and their two children. Abel agrees to care for Joan's son, but in a fit of despondency decides to drown himself. As he enters the water, his ward cries after him and Abel regains his will to live. Later, when Joan comes to visit her son, she and Abel reunite and start life anew.
The Pretty Sister of Jose Synopsis
Pepita, a radiant and merry Spanish beauty, and her playful brother Jose, witness their mother, whose faded beauty led her husband to abandon her for another, plunge a dagger into her breast. After their uncle avenges the death, Pepita develops a fierce hatred of men and pledges never to marry, while Jose leaves for Madrid with a benevolent padre. Sebastiano, Spain's most famous toreador, arrives in town and, after seeing Pepita, spurns the pretty Sarita, who dies hopelessly infatuated. Later, Pepita visits Jose in Madrid and encounters Sebastiano. She resists his attempts at conquest and haughtily makes him serve her. Finally, when Pepita responds to Sebastiano's protestations of love with vehement hatred, he leaves for Lisbon. His departure awakens Pepita's love, and when he returns with a fiancee, Pepita suffers intense jealousy. During a bullfight, Sebastiano glances at Pepita and is gored by the bull. As he is about to die, Pepita, ready to die with him, declares her love, and Sebastiano revives.
"The Forbidden Thing" holds a slight edge in general audience appreciation, but "The Pretty Sister of Jose" offers its own unique cult appeal.
Suggested Watch:
The Forbidden Thing