Film vs Film
Select two cult films to compare side by side.
The Lady of the Photograph Synopsis
When Lord Latimer dies leaving nothing to his wanton son, young Ferdy is left penniless. Although his cousin, Eric Latimer, offers to show Ferdy a loophole in the will in exchange for a share of the inheritance, he refuses. Meanwhile, Marjorie Van Dam, the daughter of a wealthy American family visiting the neighboring estate, falls into a pond and is rescued by Ferdy. The two fall in love, and when Marjorie must return to America, she promises to wait for him. Confident of his future success, Ferdy sails for America. Upon his arrival, he falls into the water but is rescued by nouveau riche American John Brown. Brown is sympathetic to Ferdy's plight and promises to pay his debts and give him a substantial additional sum if Ferdy will help him become an "English gentleman" worthy of social acceptance by a woman whose photograph he carries. The lady of the photograph turns out to be Marjorie, but after Brown becomes a gentleman, he learns of the young couple's love and decides that Ferdy would be a more suitable husband for her. Finally, they are married with Brown's help and blessings.
The Royal Pauper Synopsis
The Princess is a fairy-tale-loving workhouse child, who pretends an aged pauper and a boy inmate of her home are individuals like those she reads of. Ill-treated by the female superintendent, the three run away, and are sheltered by the childless wife of a mill-owner, who takes a fancy to the girl and adopts her, against her tyrant husband's wishes. The girl wins the tyrant's heart, and lives in the hope of meeting the runaway workhouse boy, her Prince Charming. Later on he turns up as the inventor of plans for a loom which will revolutionize the mill industry. Carruthers, a refined rogue, comes courting the " Princess," and overhears the inventor offering his loom for a huge sum of money and complete control of the works to his tyrant employer, which the latter refuses. Carruthers steals and hides the plans, which are unearthed by the workhouse dog, and find their way back the tyrant. A strike is declared, and the tyrant defies his men. The "Princess " intervenes, saves her adopted father's life, meets her "Prince," and Carruthers is "shown up" in all his villainy. A workhouse banquet, attended by the inmates, the adopted parents and the sweethearts, all in "ermined robes," to keep up the fairy tale, leads to mutual admiration, and happiness and wealth to all.
"The Lady of the Photograph" holds a slight edge in general audience appreciation, but "The Royal Pauper" offers its own unique cult appeal.
Suggested Watch:
The Lady of the Photograph