Film vs Film
Select two cult films to compare side by side.
Why Women Sin Synopsis
So engrossed by his desire to be elected governor, Philip Pemberton neglects his wife Dorothy. Horton, a political boss opposes Pemberton's candidacy and conspires to prevent his election. To accomplish this, Horton hires two crooks to pose as the Baron and Baroness De Ville to gain Dorothy's confidence. One day while out motoring with Dorothy, the Baroness feigns illness and is taken to the bedroom of an inn, where her husband unexpectedly appears. When the Baroness steps out, the frame-up for a potential scandal is completed. Horton threatens to blackmail Pemberton with the situation unless he drops out of the race, but at the last minute a detective who has been tracking the Baroness appears and arrests her, exposing the Horton plot. Pemberton then realizes he has neglected his wife and begs her forgiveness, which she grants.
The Reapers Synopsis
Albert Jordan, publishing house manager, lavishes his salary on his adored wife, Rita, and little daughter Edna. She is a churchgoing woman, while his home and his family is his religion. While returning home one day, Jordan sees his little daughter in the path of an auto. He runs to snatch her from instant death. He saves her but is seriously injured himself. As a result, he becomes a half paralytic. His wife becomes the bread-winner of the family. She frets against this and is tempted by a former lover, Jim Shaw, a race-track follower, and leaves with him. Jordan becomes an embittered blasphemer. He is compelled to sell newspapers and pencils at an elevated station. Here a splendid woman with a deathless faith finds the hopeless Jordan and teaches him her creed of life. Jordan begins to pray. At last, in response to his prayers and more hopeful state, Jordan is healed and learns that God's way is not always the ways of men. The years pass. Jordan with health, new strength, new friends, becomes successful in business. His daughter, Edna, now a beautiful young woman, marries Frank Rollins, of aristocratic family, and assistant district attorney. Jordan makes his home with the young couple. On the other hand, Rita, who first lived in luxury, has gradually gone down the ladder of life and now reaps the harvest of her sin and selfishness. Shaw is drinking heavily and beats her. They return from Paris and start a flashy tango hall. A few months later, after his daughter's marriage, Jordan is asked by Rollins to accompany him on a vice crusade. While in a dance place, there is a quarrel between a man and a woman. Jordan goes to intervene and comes face to face with his wife. After a night of anguish Jordan goes to Rita, telling her of himself and of Edna. He teaches her to see the "light," as he calls it, as he has seen it. Rita is touched by Jordan's willingness to forgive and forget and the latent good in Rita's nature rises to meet the good in Jordan. How Rita repays his wish to reclaim her is unfolded in the climax.
"Why Women Sin" holds a slight edge in general audience appreciation, but "The Reapers" offers its own unique cult appeal.
Suggested Watch:
Why Women Sin