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Select two cult films to compare side by side.
The Heart of a Woman Synopsis
What the heart of a woman can endure is evident in the life of Bull Robinson's wife. Aware soon after her marriage that she is condemned to endure the brutalities of a bestial foundry man, she puts up with his actions because she has taken him for better or worse. The birth of their daughter Lily makes very little difference, her only consolation being the noble friendship of Bob Brown whose compassion goes so far as to shield her and advance the interests of her husband for more than seventeen years. Lily, now grown, is attracted to young engineer Harry Dunton, although her father favors a young foundry hand for his daughter. When Dunton invites Lily on a date, she and her mother scrape together their savings in order to purchase the girl a new dress, only to have her father forbid her to wear it. Lily, angered, accuses Bull of not being her father, an accusation which arouses his suspicions regarding Bob Brown's devotion to the Robinson family. Tormented by his jealousy, Bull attacks Brown and is badly worsted in a fierce struggle. He staggers home to be cared for by his wife and daughter, causing him to finally realize that he has given them little in return for their long years of devotion.
Garden of Lies Synopsis
Eleanor Mannering, an American girl living abroad at the home of her cousin, Jessica Mannering, chooses Prince Carl of Noyodna from among her titled suitors and marries him. As they start on their wedding trip they meet with an automobile accident and Eleanor is injured. Baron Von Steinberck, prime minister of Noyodna, arrives at Jessica Mannering's house shortly after the Prince and Princess have left it. He has a message for Prince Carl calling on him to return at once to his capital as his father, the King, is at the point of death. He learns that the Prince has just started on his wedding journey. Accompanied by Dr. McKenzie and one of the Prince's advisers, Von Aldorz, the prime minister, follows Prince Carl and Eleanor. They arrive on the scene of the auto wreck. The Prince leaves at once for Noyodna, after placing his wife in the hands of Dr. McKenzie and Von Aldorz. Back at Jessica's home, Princess Eleanor develops amnesia and remembers nothing that happened before the accident. In delirium her memory partially returns. She calls for her husband piteously, though it is evident that she has forgotten his appearance and personality. Dr. McKenzie and Von Aldorz decide that she has one chance of regaining her reason. A man must appear at her bedside posing as her husband. Mallory, a lover of adventure, and a daredevil, is selected for the role of the bogus Prince. Mallory is presented to the Princess. She falls in love with him at sight and he with her. She believes that he is, as she has been told, the Prince, her husband. The real Prince returns unexpectedly and finds his wife in Mallory's arms. Von Steinberck wishes to rid the Prince of his morganatic wife and abducts her. Prince Carl's father had died and Carl is now King. Mallory sees the abduction and follows. Prince Carl learns of it, too, and pursues with Dr. McKenzie and Von Aldorz. The Princess is carried by Steinberck to a deserted castle. Mallory gets into the castle, followed by the Prince and his group. There is a battle with pistols, during which Steinberck wounds Mallory and kills Prince Carl. Eleanor is freed. Her love for Mallory turns to resentment when she hears of the deception. But Mallory is now hovering between life and death. In his delirium he calls for Eleanor just as she did for a dimly-remembered husband. Dr. McKenzie tells her that her presence at Mallory's bedside alone can save Mallory's life. As she kneels beside the Irish adventurer and calls him by name; he smiles in recognition. The picture fades out with them in each other's arms.
"The Heart of a Woman" holds a slight edge in general audience appreciation, but "Garden of Lies" offers its own unique cult appeal.
Suggested Watch:
The Heart of a Woman