Film vs Film
Select two cult films to compare side by side.
The Siren Synopsis
After being unfaithful to "The Stranger", who committed a murder on her account, Cherry Millard, known as "The Siren", leaves to work in a dance hall in the Western town of Nugget. When Burt Hall arrives in town to deliver a will to the heirs of Bruce McClade, he is captivated by Cherry, who learns of Burt's mission. Discovering that the will dictates that Dr. Langdon, a friend of the family, is to receive $25,000, Cherry decides to impersonate Langdon's daughter Rose and thus gain possession of the money. In the meantime, The Stranger, who has been freed from jail, returns, recognizes Cherry as The Siren and kills her. This frees Burt from her evil spell, and The Stranger, now insane, follows The Siren's spirit into the desert.
The Silver Lining Synopsis
At a reception for Mr. and Mrs. Vance Leighton, three men are discussing the effects of heredity in shaping the careers of children. To prove his contention that the theory of heredity is often demonstrated to be false, John Strong, a secret service agent, tells a true story: Two orphan sisters are adopted, one by society leaders, the other by a couple of crooks. The latter, known as "The Angel," becomes an expert pickpocket, while the other, Evelyn, becomes a reigning belle. The Angel is caught in the act by Johnson, a confidence man. Together with her adopted parents, they go to Havana, where she meets and falls in love with author Robert Ellington, Evelyn's estranged fiancé. Johnson compels her to help him swindle Ellington out of $25,000. Instead, she confesses to Ellington, and when her sister arrives she stages a love scene with Johnson to break off their relationship. Johnson, realizing that The Angel is in love, reveals to Ellington that he is a Secret Service agent. Ellington goes back to her, and they are married. To answer a skeptical listener's question whether society accepted the couple, Strong knowingly glances at the Leightons and reveals himself as the "Johnson" of the story.
"The Siren" holds a slight edge in general audience appreciation, but "The Silver Lining" offers its own unique cult appeal.
Suggested Watch:
The Siren