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Select two cult films to compare side by side.
The Gilded Youth Synopsis
Mary, the maid in a boardinghouse, falls in love with boarder John Slocum. Planning to marry, the couple jointly opens a savings account. In order to increase the account, John deprives himself of the barest necessities until he realizes that his scraggly appearance is making him the laughingstock of his office. After winning a lottery, John takes his winnings and invests them in fine clothes which allow him entry into exclusive restaurants where he eavesdrops on the brokers for stock tips. Meanwhile, Mary, suspicious of John's new raiment, believes that he is having an affair, but is pleasantly surprised when the tips pay off, making John a millionaire.
The Call of the Dance Synopsis
Jim Hall tries to discourage his daughter Natalie's love of dancing, but the girl finds a warm friend in old Carlo, a musician. Natalie's beauty attracts Brace's attention. At the latter's orders, Spud Howell kidnaps the girl. Hall, attempting to interfere, is slain. Marston, assistant district attorney, is ignorant of the fact that his uncle, Fisk, is the head of the vice ring. Marston discovers Natalie's predicament and rescues her. Falling in love with the girl, he obtains a position for her in a friend's office. Natalie resigns when her employer later makes love to her. The girl lands a position in the chorus of a musical comedy company. Her dancing attracts the manager's attention and when the principal falls ill, Natalie takes her place. The girl's wonderful dancing makes her famous. Marston, who had lost track of Natalie, finds her again when he visits the theater. Fisk, madly in love with the girl, invites her to a dinner he is giving. Carlo, employed at the restaurant where this function is held, recognizes in Fisk the man who had blasted his life. When Natalie and Fisk's friends accompany the man to his apartment, Carlo follows. Marston trails the party in an auto. Later, Fisk contrives to get Natalie alone. Marston, hearing the girl's cries for help, batters down the door. He comes in time to see Carlo, who had climbed through a window, shoot the girl's assailant. Brace, in coming to his master's assistance, shoots at Marston but misses and kills Carlo. While the murderer is placed under arrest, Marston takes Natalie in his arms.
"The Gilded Youth" holds a slight edge in general audience appreciation, but "The Call of the Dance" offers its own unique cult appeal.
Suggested Watch:
The Gilded Youth