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.
When Love Is King Synopsis
Felix, the King of Wallonia, is sad. He wants to be loved for himself, not for his title, and he finds it a hard job. Because of state reasons, he has to marry Louise, Princess of the neighboring State of Trebizond. The old Prince, her father, craves the elixir of youth, and gets drunk so often that Trebizond is in bad shape. Thus, it is up to Felix to be King of both States. But Louise has a love affair all of her own. Felix sees her in the embrace of Stepan, the heir presumptive to his throne, and disgusted with things in general and Louise in particular, he flees to America in disguise. With him goes his faithful comrade, Baron Tarnow. By a strange twist of circumstance he takes a job as butler in the home of J.P. Morton, multi-millionaire. There he meets Marcia, Morton's daughter, and the jig is up. He loves her. At a ball given by the Mortons an ambassador from Wallonia recognizes his King. At word from Felix, the ambassador introduces him to the Mortons as a Count. Felix creates quite a stir. Janzi, a bandit, whom Stepan has sent to America to do away with Felix, sends the Mortons a note. He describes Felix as an impostor and a fraud. Thus is Felix ordered out of the Morton home. Janzi and his confederates try to kill him but succeed only in wounding him. Marcia, feeling that she really loves him, saves him from death and nurses him back to health. Then Felix and Marcia elope and plan to get married. Papa Morton catches them and prepares to let Felix have it, but his true identity is revealed. Morton realizes that Felix is a real King. The Ambassador urges Felix to return to Wallonia. Since Stepan has become King, the people are being outraged. Because of his royal blood, Marcia knows that she cannot marry him and so gives Felix up. He returns home and pays Stepan for his villainy. Then, to save the State, he prepares to marry Louise of Trebizond. No matter what the cost the State must be saved. Pop Morton finds that Marcia loves Felix and that the separation is making her unhappy. So, like a real American millionaire, he buys up the Kingdom of Trebizond, royal titles and all. When Felix goes to the altar to be married, he finds that the Princess of Trebizond is his own little Marcia. Long live the King and Queen of Wallonia-Trebizond.
"The Lady of the Photograph" holds a slight edge in general audience appreciation, but "When Love Is King" offers its own unique cult appeal.
Suggested Watch:
The Lady of the Photograph