Film vs Film
Select two cult films to compare side by side.
The Risky Road Synopsis
Through a chance meeting, stenographer Marjorie Helmer becomes acquainted with Melville Kingston, a millionaire whose cynical views of love and marriage have been influenced strongly by his brother Miles's unhappy marriage. When Melville offers to support Marjorie, she realizes that his intentions are not honorable and stoutly refuses. Later, however, she loses her job, and at her wits' end, agrees to accept Melville's gifts provided that he treats her with respect. Marjorie interprets reports of a "Mrs. Kingston," actually Melville's brother's wife, as evidence that Melville is a cad and sends for her old sweetheart, Robert Grant, in despair. When Robert visits the lavishly attired Marjorie in her expensive apartment, however, he assumes the worst and attacks her. In the end, Melville confesses that he loves Marjorie and wishes to marry her.
The Amazing Wife Synopsis
Cicely Osborne marries laborer John Ashton to help provide for her mother. At their wedding dinner in a cabaret, John flirts with a woman and her enraged escort slays him. At home, Cicely finds her mother dead. While contemplating suicide, Cicely notices that a lieutenant having the same name as her husband died in the war. She tells the lieutenant's aristocratic parents that she and John were secretly wed, and soon ingratiates herself. Only John's crippled cousin Philip suspects her. John returns, having been only wounded, and seeing that his mother loves Cicely, he continues the masquerade. Philip, thinking that Cicely is giving John sexual favors to keep from being exposed, threatens to blackmail her himself. John falls in love with Cicely and jealously follows her to meet Philip. They fight and John's war wound is reopened. Thinking that he is dying, John summons a priest, who solemnizes his union with Cicely. John later recovers and the two resume their life together.
"The Risky Road" holds a slight edge in general audience appreciation, but "The Amazing Wife" offers its own unique cult appeal.
Suggested Watch:
The Risky Road