Film vs Film
Select two cult films to compare side by side.
The Mad Dancer Synopsis
Mimi, known in the Latin Quarter as "The Mad Dancer," poses in the nude for sculptor Verlaine. When her father later commits suicide, she goes to the United States to live with his family, but she is insulted by them for having posed for Verlaine. Mimi soon walks out and goes to live in Washington, where she becomes engaged to Keith Arundel, the son of a United States senator. Verlaine appears in Washington for the official unveiling of the statue for which Mimi posed, meets Mimi again, and unsuccessfully attempts to force her to marry him by threatening to reveal that she was the model for this statue of "the mad dancer." Mimi later enters Verlaine's room and smashes the head of the statue beyond recognition. When the mutilated work is unveiled, the sculptor in his fury relates Mimi's history to the assembled guests. Keith knocks him down. Senator Arundel later bribes Verlaine into publicly retracting his statement, and Keith and Mimi are married.
Man and His Angel Synopsis
Sonia Demitri, daughter of an exiled Russian nobleman, comes to this country almost penniless, teaches a while, and then, being a lover of books, starts a little second-hand bookstore. Sonia grows to womanhood unaware of her noble birth, she has a great singing voice. In an old Bible which her father treasures are the documents which will establish her claim to large estates, but her father tells her she will learn it all after his death. David Tryne, living in the same neighborhood, deformed and with a twisted mind, is a remarkable penman and a lover of the beautiful. He forges a letter of recommendation given to one man. The second man uses it and as a result the first man is accused of forgery. The neighbors try to mob Tryne, who takes refuge in the bookstore. Sonia pities his deformities, aids him, and wins his adoration. To the bookstore comes Sutton, a society man, with Kitty Fish, and an impresario. Later, with Schuyler, they all go to hear Sonia sing. She succeeds and it is planned that she shall go abroad and study. Tryne is with her father while she is away and when Demitri dies Tryne learns from the papers in the old Bible of Sonia's high birth. Sonia makes a great success, Schuyler falls in love with her, and Tryne, crazed with jealousy, forges a note which he places in the old Bible, saying that Sonia is the daughter of a disreputable woman. This he signs with Demitri's name, and gives the book to Sutton to give to Sonia, asking him to say that he found it in an old bookshop. Schuyler's mother asks Sonia about her ancestry, and learning nothing, decides to institute inquiries in Russia. Sutton sprains his ankle on his way to Sonia, and sends for her to come and get the book. Tryne learns of this and sends a note to Schuyler, telling him of her going to Sutton. Schuyler meets her there. She shows Sutton's note, and while Schuyler declares his trust in her, she feels that she cannot marry him with the stain on her birth, and sends him away. Sonia gives up everything, and with Tryne as her servitor, awaits only death. Kitty feels for her, and sends for Schuyler to come and see her. The day he is to come, Soma finds the genuine documents regarding her birth which had fallen from Tryne's coat pocket. Tryne sees the papers in her hands, and tries to get them back, but she holds him with her eyes, and as Schuyler enters the room, Tryne sees that he has lost and quietly slips away. With the barrier to their love removed, Sonia and Schuyler find their happiness.
"The Mad Dancer" holds a slight edge in general audience appreciation, but "Man and His Angel" offers its own unique cult appeal.
Suggested Watch:
The Mad Dancer