Sarah and Son (1930)

A ne'er-do-well husband, after years of abusing his wife, disappears with their son, and winds up selling him to a wealthy family. Years later, the wife--now a world-famous opera singer--... See full summary »

Director:

Dorothy Arzner

Writers:

Zoe Akins (adaptation), Timothy Shea (novel)

Stars:

Ruth Chatterton, Fredric March, Fuller Mellish Jr.

Nominated for 1 Oscar.

Cast

Cast overview:
Ruth Chatterton	...	Sarah Storm
Fredric March	...	Howard Vanning
Fuller Mellish Jr.	...	Jim Grey
Gilbert Emery	...	John Ashmore
Doris Lloyd	...	Mrs. Ashmore, Vanning's sister
William Stack	...	Cyril Belloc
Philippe De Lacy	...	Bobby

Storyline

A ne'er-do-well husband, after years of abusing his wife, disappears with their son, and winds up selling him to a wealthy family. Years later, the wife--now a world-famous opera singer--finally has enough time and money to begin a search for him.

---

Plot Keywords:

opera | title directed by female | adoption | vaudeville | child custody | 

---

Genres:

Drama

---

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

14 March 1930 (USA)

Also Known As:

Sarah e Seu Filho

Filming Locations:

Paramount Studios - 5555 Melrose Avenue, Hollywood, Los Angeles, California, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

Paramount Pictures

Technical Specs

Runtime:

86 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (Western Electric Sound System)

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.20 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

This film was released in Buenos Aires, Argentina without spanish subtitles nor any title in spanish. It was released only for "distinguished English-speakers audience" from Buenos Aires.

---

Connections

Alternate-language version of Hjärtats röst (1930)

User Reviews

Chatterton shines in a hopelessly plotted melodrama

The narrative does not hold up at all in this early talkie. It's not much of a picture but Chatterton with a false accent gives it all the power and emotion she can muster - she earned the second of her two Oscar noms for this performance - and remains the only reason today for seeing the film. I saw it thirty years ago at a private screening - a 16 mm privately owned print. I have not seen it revived or on video anywhere since.