Film vs Film
Select two cult films to compare side by side.
The Hell Ship Synopsis
"Satan" Humphrey is the captain of the tramp steamer Glory Ann, is killed during a mutiny. His daughter Paula, brandishing a pistol, holds the mutineers at bay. Not long afterwards the ship picks up John Hadlock, an injured shipwreck survivor. Paula nurses him back to health and falls in love with him. John, recovering, helps her control the mutinous crew. The ship stops at San Francisco to pick up Glory, Paula's sister whom she hasn't seen since birth. As the ship sets sail for the South Seas, however, the crew mutinies again. Complications ensue.
The Great Shadow Synopsis
Jim McDonald, the foreman of a shipbuilding plant and head of the labor union, strives to combat the anarchistic propaganda being put forth by Klimoff, the leader of a Bolshevik gang whose goal is to disrupt the country with strikes and anarchy. Despite McDonald's efforts, a strike is called, resulting in chaos. McDonald's child is knocked down by runaway horses abandoned by their striking driver, and dies. Mob scenes take place in America, as well as in Russia. Eventually, the unrest is quelled with an armistice called between Capital and Labor for a year, during which time wages are to be increased to reflect the cost of living, and leaders are to work out a common plan for their mutual advantage. The strikers now realize that they have been pawns of the Bolsheviks and call off the strike, agreeing to the plan.
"The Hell Ship" holds a slight edge in general audience appreciation, but "The Great Shadow" offers its own unique cult appeal.
Suggested Watch:
The Hell ShipBoth films share