Film vs Film
Select two cult films to compare side by side.
The Heart of Youth Synopsis
Josephine Darchat lives with her Whipple grandparents in the country and loves Russ Prendergast, son of wealthy Calvin Prendergast, despite the dispute between the families over a spring between their properties. The feud intensifies when children from the camp situated on the Prendergast land mess up the Whipples' kitchen making molasses candy. After the children substitute an old cook's false hair for flowers left by Russ with a love note to Josephine, she stops speaking to him. When the younger Prendergast children hide the Whipple cat, Josephine destroys the dam which brings spring water to the Prendergast property. In the middle of a large fight involving thugs hired by the Prendergasts and neighbors supporting the Whipples, Josephine tries to save a young Prendergast child from drowning and, in turn, is saved by Russ. The families reconcile, the lovers reunite, and the cat, hidden in a well, returns to the rejoicing.
The Vanderhoff Affair Synopsis
Lester, returning from Mexico, becomes interested in Helen, a girl whose life he had saved. Helen, according to her uncle, Vanderhoff, is insane. Dr. Luchow, Lester's friend, confirms Vanderhoff's statement. Upon returning home, the author finds that the Vanderhoffs have rented the adjoining cottage. The writer sees Helen drop a note. Picking it up, he finds the paper blank. Lester's window faces Helen's window. That night, the girl informs him in pantomime that the note contains a message written in milk. Scorching brings the message into view. As the result, Lester learns that Helen is the victim of a foul plot on the part of her uncle who desires to obtain her fortune. The girl drops a notebook which contains the details. The author is thus informed that Vanderhoff, by keeping his niece drugged with a loco weed preparation, succeeds in fooling the physicians who examine her. Lester breaks into the Vanderhoff house the following morning. He is discovered by Jose, who knocks the author unconscious and places him in the room above the dining room. Vanderhoff hastens his preparations to place Helen in the insane asylum. Dr. Luchow calls for the purpose of preparing the papers. Lester, using the top of a ventilator, saws away at his bonds. The blood from his bruised hands drips down upon Luchow's paper and the doctor soon becomes aware of what is going on. Jose attacks Lester just as the latter gains his freedom, but Dr. Luchow's timely arrival saves his friend. The Mexican and Vanderhoff endeavor to make their get-away in an auto, but an explosion, which wrecks the machine, ends their villainous careers.
"The Heart of Youth" holds a slight edge in general audience appreciation, but "The Vanderhoff Affair" offers its own unique cult appeal.
Suggested Watch:
The Heart of Youth