Film vs Film
Select two cult films to compare side by side.
Tom Mix in Arabia Synopsis
Dashing horseman Billy Evans, entrepreneur of a tourist's ranch, swings from an overhanging cliff and ropes a snarling wildcat while acting as guide for Janice Terhune and her father, whose specialization in dead languages soon leads them to Arabia. Billy declines to follow, preferring to rest easy in his hammock, until an Arabian prince roars through the ranch in a roadster, bumping Billy from his sleep. The adventurous cowboy swaps clothes with his highness, who is being pursued by the sultan's agents, bent upon thwarting his plans to marry a "follies" beauty. The car chase ends when Billy drives into the Pacific Ocean and is overtaken and abducted to Arabia, where he ousts a powerful pretender to the throne, restores the sultan to his palace, and rescues Janice Terhune, whose flashy eyes had precipitated her abduction by the evil counterfeit prince.
Mr. Opp Synopsis
Optimistic in the face of failure, Daniel Webster Opp finally attains success as a traveling salesman for a shoe firm, but just when his prospects are best, he receives word that his stepfather is dead. He leaves at once to meet his brother Ben at Cove Junction, where they settle the estate according to Ben's demands. Ben takes the money, while Mr. Opp is given the homestead and custody of their feeble-minded half-sister Kippy. Sacrificing all to remain with his sister, Mr. Opp founds a newspaper, "The Opp Eagle," and starts to promote the town. His optimistic editorials are read by John Mathews, a wealthy promoter who comes to investigate the possibility of coal in the area. After convincing the townspeople to invest their money, Mathews discovers the mine to be worthless and decides to sell out to the competition, against Mr. Opp's wishes. Next, Mr. Opp loses his sweetheart Guinevere Gusty to Mathew's secretary, Willard Hinton. Throughout, Mr. Opp remains cheerful and is rewarded for his optimism when the townspeople nominate him to be mayor of Cove Junction.
"Tom Mix in Arabia" holds a slight edge in general audience appreciation, but "Mr. Opp" offers its own unique cult appeal.
Suggested Watch:
Tom Mix in Arabia