Film vs Film
Select two cult films to compare side by side.
The Great White Way Synopsis
Jack Murray, a press agent, tries to make popular his two clients--Joe Cain, a prizefighter, and Mabel Vandergrift, a follies dancer--by linking their names romantically. His plan succeeds when they actually fall in love. However, Morton, the jealous owner of the show, threatens to close it if Mabel does not renounce Joe. To save the show and his own reputation, Joe buys out Morton by agreeing to fight the English boxing champion. All ends well when Joe wins the title. The show is saved, and Mabel and Joe return to the West with Joe's father.
The Spirit of Romance Synopsis
Abby Lou is the niece of the crabbed old antique dealer, Richard Cobb. Old Richard Cobb has a son who possesses all the qualities that his father seemingly was born without. This son, Tom Cobb, loves Abby Lou and is working on his great invention, a kettle that will not boil over. Finances are the only drawback to its successful achievement. Tom approaches wealthy old Joseph Snow for assistance but is turned down. Snow, though a hard man in money matters, in private life is also an unsuspected follower of Romance. In his home he has a secret chamber from which through the eyes of his portrait he can observe what goes on in his absence. Snow sees Abby in the antique shop and his charity offering of money to the ragged little girl is scorned. It amazes him; for the first time in his life his money is refused. It puzzles him and that night he decides on an eccentric test. The next day Abby Lou is notified that she is the heiress to deceased Snow's wealth. The lawyer takes her away to the mansion and she is surrounded by the parasitical Mrs. Rollins and her son Percival, relatives of Snow. Percival is in love with Marguerite D'Arcy but is as poor as a church mouse. Snow from his point of observation through the eves of his picture watches Abby set up Percival in business, secretly finance Tom's invention to success, reinstate his old and faithful employee Mace, and seemingly make everyone happy with his money. A new understanding of life and its meaning comes to Snow and the night of the mask ball Snow steps through the secret panel in costume, masked and apparently a guest. Then the denouement happens in a marvelously happy way and the Spirit of Romance, her mission finished, disappears forever.
"The Great White Way" holds a slight edge in general audience appreciation, but "The Spirit of Romance" offers its own unique cult appeal.
Suggested Watch:
The Great White Way