Film vs Film
Select two cult films to compare side by side.
The Mansion of Aching Hearts Synopsis
Believing his wife, Pauline, to have been unfaithful, Martin Craig, a hard-hearted banker, drives her and her small son from home. Sometime later, Pauline becomes separated from the child during a storm and believes him to be drowned. Martin finds the boy and, not knowing that he is his own son, raises him as a foundling. Years pass. Pauline becomes a matron in a home for friendless girls and meets Martha, a young girl whom Martin has persecuted as a fallen woman. Pauline becomes enraged and goes with Martha to confront Martin. She meets her son, known as Bill Smith, and becomes friends with him, eventually telling him that she is his mother. Bill then, with the help of a mob, attempts to drive his mother away, as his vengeance on her for having deserted him as an infant. Martin comes forward, however, and tells the villagers of the unfounded suspicions that resulted in Pauline's separation from Bill. Pauline and Martin are then reconciled.
The Key to Power Synopsis
Bruce Wendell, the son of West Virginia coal mine owner James Wendell, graduates from West Point and prepares to lead a fighting unit to the front during World War I. As his father lies dying, however, he convinces Bruce to remain at home and guard the mine. Bruce's fiancée Ann Blair assumes that he is a coward and breaks off their engagement, but her brother Bobbie remains Bruce's loyal friend. Meyer, a German agent, persuades railroad president Parrish to refuse to transport Wendell's coal, but when Bruce adamantly refuses to close the mine, the spy's men decide to blow it up. While Ann is being abducted by Meyer, Bobbie is buried in an explosion at the mine. Bruce rescues Bobbie and then sends a plea to Lieutenant Parrish to rescue Ann. Meyer and his gang are captured and Ann renews her vow of love to Bruce.
"The Mansion of Aching Hearts" holds a slight edge in general audience appreciation, but "The Key to Power" offers its own unique cult appeal.
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The Mansion of Aching HeartsBoth films share