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Select two cult films to compare side by side.
The Hidden Scar Synopsis
Janet Hall begins a romance with Dale Overton, a small town minister, after the death of Henry Dalton, with whom she had an illegitimate child. At first, because of her past, she refuses to marry him, but then, after listening to his sermons about forgiveness, she consents, although she makes sure that he knows nothing of her history. Finally, however, he does find out about her relationship with Henry, and just as Janet feared he might, he renounces his wife. Defending Janet, Dale's friend, Stuart Doane, accuses the minister of spreading the word about tolerance without actually believing it himself. Dale realizes his hypocrisy, and then, after forgiving Janet, sees through her recovery from a breakdown brought on by the sudden disclosure of her past and by the subsequent strain on her marriage.
Husband and Wife Synopsis
Dick Baker, cashier of the National Bank, is in financial difficulties through his wife's extravagance. Becoming desperate, he plays the stock market with "borrowed" securities. Schmidt, a social climber and director of the bank, goes in with Dick on some of his speculations and in return Doris, Dick's wife, is expected to receive Mrs. Schmidt. Pat Alliston, a wealthy young man, is in love with Doris, but is playing "on the level." Doris refuses to receive Mrs. Schmidt one afternoon while Alliston is calling. This infuriates her and she confides in her husband, who then refuses to go in on a deal with Dick. Porter, Dick's younger brother, has learned something of Dick's difficulties, and blames Doris for her extravagance. Doris complains of Porter to Dick and they quarrel. The next day the stock Dick has invested in drops heavily and his margin is wiped out. He cannot cover it and is forced to let it go. Schmidt has become suspicious and sets detectives to watch Dick. That evening Dick learns that Doris is dining with Alliston again and asks her why she doesn't get a divorce and in anger she says, "Very well, I will." Doris plans to go to Japan with Mrs. Prescott, a chum, Alliston and their daughter Bessie. She has planned to give Dick the impression that she is eloping with Alliston so that he will get a divorce, but Doris confesses to Mrs. Prescott that if Dick should even hold out his hand to her, she would stay. Schmidt's suspicion is again aroused, and when Schreiber. the detective, reports that Doris is planning this trip. Schmidt thinks Dick is planning to slip away with them and cautions Schreiber to guard against this. Schmidt has Knight, the bank examiner, go over things and when Dick learns of this and of Doris' intended departure, feeling utterly deserted and alone, he attempts suicide, but is prevented by the unconscious intervention of Bessie. Alliston calls for Doris and Bessie and they meet Mrs. Prescott at the railroad station. They are followed by the detective's assistant and brought hack, he mistaking Alliston for Dick. Doris denounces Dick for having, as she supposes, detectives trail her and Alliston, and when she learns the truth, falls unconscious to the floor. Dick carries her into the drawing room and they are reconciled. Knight tells Schmidt that his suspicions of the bank's soundness were groundless and the latter leaves crestfallen. Alliston, alone in the hallway with Bessie, realizes his own part in this domestic tragedy. Knight asks him if he will help him to give Dick another chance, and he agrees. Knight writes a check and a note and sends it by Bessie to Dick.
"The Hidden Scar" holds a slight edge in general audience appreciation, but "Husband and Wife" offers its own unique cult appeal.
Suggested Watch:
The Hidden Scar