Film vs Film
Select two cult films to compare side by side.
The Scarlet Woman Synopsis
Hanlin Davis, vice-president of a bank, has been gambling in stocks, and loses heavily. While in the act of robbing the bank he is surprised by another official, and Davis kills him. Davis is arrested and his wife goes to Hastings, the District Attorney, and makes a plea in his behalf. Hastings is a corrupt official and does not hesitate to make an improper proposal to Thora. He agrees to let her husband off with a light sentence after she accepts his demands. When Davis is released from prison and learns of the sacrifice his wife has made he openly denounces her and turns her into the street. Then he gets a divorce. Ignored by all her friends and driven out of society, she is thrown upon her own resources and becomes known as "the scarlet woman," void of heart and conscience. The District Attorney becomes notorious for his association with the sporting element along Broadway, and is believed to be a graft taker. Robert Blake, a wealthy young man, institutes a reform investigation and the District Attorney is exposed. Disbarred and disgraced, Hastings decides to revenge himself upon Thora, whom he considers the cause of his downfall. He cultivates the friendship of Paula Gordon, an unscrupulous society woman, who is much in the company of Blake and holds his respect. Hastings has evidence of a crooked transaction in which Paula participated, and he threatens exposure unless she does his bidding. Through Paula, Thora is introduced to Blake. He is made to understand that she is a pure woman, and she is led to believe that he knows about her past. They fall in love and soon afterward are quietly married. After the wedding Hastings confronts the couple and denounces Thora, telling Blake of her past and that she is the notorious "scarlet woman." Blake gives Hastings a beating, but hears Thora confess that he has told the truth. Before he can regain composure, following this blow, and speak to her, Thora is gone. She secures employment in a factory hidden from her former friends. Paula now hopes to win Blake's love, but he remains steadfast in his love for his wife. Blake becomes a melancholy weakling in his deep sorrow. Paula goes to Thora and tells her she is wrecking his life; that if she would save him she must divorce him and openly return to her old life of the street and café. This Thora does. It proves the severest blow of all for Blake, and he is about to yield to Paula's persuasion to come to her when he learns the truth. He seeks out Thora, begs her to forgive him, as he long ago has forgiven her, and they are happily reunited.
Her Price Synopsis
Marcia Calhoun, a talented but penniless singer, leaves her Southern home hoping to study opera in New York. Her instructor, Professor Didot, promises her a contract on the condition that she receive formal training in Italy for one year. Didot introduces Marcia to millionaire Philip Bradley, who offers to pay for her studies if she will accompany him to Italy as his mistress. Desperate for money, she agrees, but he abandons her several months later. Marcia continues her studies, and on the night of her highly-successful debut in Paris, Robert Carroll, with whom she has fallen deeply in love, proposes. When Marcia confesses her past, however, he deserts her, whereupon she vows to ruin Philip and his family. Because Philip has died, she seeks her revenge through his brother John, who comes to love her so dearly that he reveals all of his business secrets to her. Through dealings with his rivals, Marcia ruins John, but he proposes anyway, promising to right his brother's wrong.
"The Scarlet Woman" holds a slight edge in general audience appreciation, but "Her Price" offers its own unique cult appeal.
Suggested Watch:
Her Price