Film vs Film
Select two cult films to compare side by side.
The Path Forbidden Synopsis
Twenty-five years ago, a frivolous, beautiful girl, Violet Dare, created havoc among the summer boarders at an Adirondack hotel. Two young chaps, Joe Brill and Jim Kent, were the favored ones, but Joe finally married her. Later Violet travels the "Path Forbidden," carousing with male friends, and is finally driven out by the husband, Joe Brill. She wishes to take one of the twin children, but the husband forbids. So she steals one little girl and takes her away. Years later we see the twins grown to womanhood. Neither know of the existence of the other. Pearl, the stolen one, is leading the life her mother led when alive. Lucy is the aid and comfort of the father, who, through unwise investments, loses his money, the shock of which causes a stroke and is removed to an asylum. Lucy then runs a country hotel. Pearl, the evil sister, has gained the love of an honorable young lawyer, Curtis Holmes, who will not marry her unless she gives up her forbidden life. She promises, and the wedding is announced. At the last moment, a dope and race track tout persuades her to go away with him. Traveling by auto, they have an accident, Pearl is carried to the hotel run by Lucy. The sisters notice the marked resemblance but think it merely a co-incidence. Curtis, missing Pearl, follows to the hotel, where he mistakes Lucy for Pearl, but soon finds out his error. He later finds in Lucy all that he had wished for in Pearl, so he transfers his affections. The father recovers and is brought home by Lucy. Shortly after the barn dance, Pearl disguises as Lucy and in lighting a cigarette sets fire to the place and in trying to escape sprains her ankle and faints from pain. The father, Joe Brill, taking his first stroll in the evening, notices the blaze and is told by the farmers that Lucy is in there. Without thought for himself, he carries Pearl out and takes her to the hotel. There he sees it is not Lucy and memory goes back to two small cradles. Asking her name and her mother's he finds his other daughter, Pearl, discovering a father, something she had never known, resolves to leave the "Path Forbidden" and be the comfort of her father who needs her now that Lucy has married Curtis.
The Question Synopsis
Ralph Tudor, rich, and loving children, marries Grace Hamilton, a spoiled society girl, who determines to avoid maternity, and keep up her social fun. Anna Lee works for Tudor, but is blackmailed by her worthless father. Frank Gray, an artist, is in love with Anna, but she thinks she is in love with Tudor. Tudor's partner. Hyatt, is ousted from the firm because he insulted her. Tudor finds that his wife has been avoiding maternity, and she admits that she does not intend to have any children. Tudor takes to drink and his wife gives a dog party. Alone with Anna, Tudor explains matters, and they go away on an illicit honeymoon. Gray finds them. Anna leaves Tudor and he goes to Brazil. He learns that Anna is in trouble, wires Ryan, his confidential clerk, to take money from the safe and place it to her credit. Ryan is assaulted by Anna's father, and is struck by Grace Tudor's automobile. The cash is found on him. Hyatt claims it was stolen from the firm, and that he has an interest in it. Ryan is taken to a hospital, and Lee, in an attempt to kill Hyatt, is himself killed by a fall down a staircase. In Brazil, Tudor's mail tells him of the Ryan affair, and a latter from Grace which causes him to return at once. Anna dies, and her landlady advertises her child for adoption. Grace gets it and a letter which Anna left, stating that Tudor was the child's father. Tudor comes home, and Grace, a changed and repentant woman, permits Tudor to learn to whom the child belongs. She begs forgiveness, which Tudor grants as she exclaims, "It is our baby."
"The Path Forbidden" holds a slight edge in general audience appreciation, but "The Question" offers its own unique cult appeal.
Suggested Watch:
The Path Forbidden