Film vs Film
Select two cult films to compare side by side.
When It Strikes Home Synopsis
A prologue introduces author Charles K. Harris at his window, viewing a crowd that has gathered around an ambulance. Harris says to his clerk, "Only an abandoned child," and then dictates the following story. Richard Hartley, a millionaire's son, marries Vera Walton, a musical comedy dancing girl, while he is intoxicated at a party. Richard regrets this rash act when he becomes sober, and because he is under twenty-one, his father is able to have the marriage annulled. Richard goes abroad, during which time Vera gives birth to their son, whom she then deserts. When Richard returns, he weds his former fiancée, a respectable girl from his own set. Childless, the couple adopts Victor, Vera's child, unaware of his parentage. Twenty years later, Victor, a physician at a New York hospital, is engaged to Muriel Worth. Meanwhile, Vera, who has trained to be a nurse to be near Victor, is recognized by Richard's father, at the hospital after an accident. When a rival for Muriel's affection tells the Board of Governors of an exclusive club that Victor is trying to join that his father's a crook, Vera discloses her secret to them but keeps silent to Victor. Richard, whose wife died years earlier, learns about Vera's devotion, and marries her.
The More Excellent Way Synopsis
Chrissey Desselden, the ward of John Warburton, promises to marry him. Opposed to him is Robert Neyland, but he is not worthy of Chrissey's love. The girl, however, is fascinated by him, and not until his misconduct dismays her does she turn from him to John. After the wedding she recoils from her situation and pleads with her husband to treat her still as a child until she knows her own heart. This he consents to do. Meantime Neyland goes quickly to the bottom of the social ladder, but despite this Chrissey decides she loves him. With Warburton's consent she outrages her marriage vow by going to Reno to secure a divorce, Neyland remaining to plot against Warburton to ruin him financially. To effect this he needs money from Chrissey, which she wires him permission to use. However, she learns at the last moment what a treacherous purpose he plans with it. She throws over Neyland, who, through a culmination of other troubles, does the one graceful deed of his life by ending it. She returns to Warburton to be his wife in fact.
"When It Strikes Home" holds a slight edge in general audience appreciation, but "The More Excellent Way" offers its own unique cult appeal.
Suggested Watch:
When It Strikes Home