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Select two cult films to compare side by side.
The Prodigal Judge Synopsis
Returning to his estate in North Carolina, Judge Slocum Price, a member of Congress in 1830, finds that his wife has taken their child and eloped with David Gatewood; and the domestic tragedy causes him to become a vagabond. Five years later, the judge and his companion (Solomon Mahaffy) on a Mississippi River boat meet a child known as Hannibal, accompanied by Bob Yancy. The judge suspects Hannibal to be his missing son. Colonel Fentress, an outlaw leader, has the boy kidnapped from Yancy, but Hannibal escapes and takes refuge on a skiff; meanwhile, the judge, who has been arrested for innocently passing counterfeit money, escapes, finds Hannibal on the river, and discovers that actually Fentress was the abductor of his wife. Betty Malroy, a friend of Hannibal's, marries Charley Norton, her childhood sweetheart; but Fentress has him shot on their wedding day. Following the rescue of Betty and Hannibal from Fentress, the judge challenges him to a duel. Solomon schemes to go in the judge's place and is mortally wounded; but the judge arrives and shoots Fentress. The judge regains his fortune, and Betty is won over to the affections of Bruce Carrington, who is trapped with her in the rapids.
Mayblossom Synopsis
In the blossom time in spring, in the sunny southland, Anabel Lee returned home from the young ladies' finishing academy. Warner Richmond, the favorite of society and beloved by all the maids for miles around, received notice to come to his grandfather's home to stay with him during his last days. Warner did so and on his arrival was warned by his grandfather to forego the society of the fair sex, but Warner one day passed by where Anabel sat reading and to her he was her prince charming. Forced to marry Anabel, Warner insisted on keeping the marriage a secret on account of his grandfather's wishes. Just after the grandfather died, leaving Warner a large fortune, he became enamored with an opera singer of fame. Destroying all records of his marriage to Anabel, he then married the opera singer, but love in this case lasted until she secured all his money. Soon believing her husband dead. Anabel married the sweetheart of her childhood days. No cloud darkened the sky of their happiness until Warner came wandering in his drunken travels to the old countryside again. Attended in his delirium by Anabel's doctor husband, he gives out the story of his life. The doctor returns to find Anabel gone with her child. He follows. Warner in his delirium overturns a lamp and the house burns to the ground with all evidence to clear Anabel's name. But love finds the way.
"The Prodigal Judge" holds a slight edge in general audience appreciation, but "Mayblossom" offers its own unique cult appeal.
Suggested Watch:
The Prodigal Judge