The Miracle Woman (1931)

After Florence Fallon's father dies unappreciated in the church where he preached for many years, she becomes embittered and loses faith. She teams up with Horsby, a con man, and performs ... See full summary »

Director:

Frank Capra

Writers:

Jo Swerling (screenplay), John Meehan (based upon the play "Bless You Sister" by),

Stars:

Barbara Stanwyck, David Manners, Sam Hardy

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Barbara Stanwyck	...	Florence Fallon
David Manners	...	John Carson
Sam Hardy	...	Bob Hornsby
Beryl Mercer	...	Mrs. Higgins
Russell Hopton	...	Bill Welford
Charles Middleton	...	Simpson
Eddie Boland	...	Collins
Thelma Hill	...	Gussie

Storyline

After Florence Fallon's father dies unappreciated in the church where he preached for many years, she becomes embittered and loses faith. She teams up with Horsby, a con man, and performs fake miracles for profit. But the love and trust of a blind man restores her faith in God and her fellow man.

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Plot Keywords:

miracle | fraud | melodrama | newspaper headline | radio broadcasting | 

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Genres:

Drama | Romance

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Certificate:

Passed

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

7 August 1931 (USA)

Also Known As:

A Mulher Miraculosa

Company Credits

Production Co:

Columbia Pictures Corporation

Technical Specs

Runtime:

90 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (Western Electric System)

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

The play, "Bless You Sister" by John Meehan & Robert Riskin opened in New York on 26 December 1927 and closed in January 1928 after 28 performances. The opening night cast included Robert Ames, Charles Bickford and Alice Brady.

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Goofs

As Florence starts chasing members of the congregation out of the church at the beginning of the film, members of the choir can be seen getting up and walking forward in the direction of the isle (note the young blond woman in the black dress who is first in line). When the scene cuts to a close-up on Florence moving down the isle, we see the choir members still seated in their places. They then get up and file out in the same direction as in the previous shot.

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Quotes

Hornsby: You think you beat those people, don't you? Well you didn't. There's only one way to lick a mob, sister, join them. You're not a hypocrite if you admit it. Most of the trouble in this world comes from people who have beliefs. The answer is: don't have any! If you have none, you can assume the ones that happen to pay.

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Crazy Credits

"Beware of false prophets which come to you in sheep's clothing..... Mat. VIII, 15.

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Connections

Featured in Barbara Stanwyck: Fire and Desire (1991)

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Soundtracks

"Holy Holy Holy! Lord God Almighty!"
(1861) (uncredited)
Music by John B. Dykes (1861)
Hymn by Reginald Heber (1827)
Sung by Parishioners in Church

User Reviews

the miracle woman is quite a woman

One critic said he is not a Frank Capra fan. He probably dislikes July 4, Christmas and Easter. This may not be a typical Capra offering but one thing it has in common with his other works is - quality.

From top to bottom,"The Miracle Woman" is thoroughly engrossing. And, it is fascinating to realize that this oldie is up-to-date - phony evangelists with plants in the audience, working their 'fans' into a frenzy, getting as rich as Midas, etc., etc. Unfortunately, some things never change.

One thing unchanged over the years is Stanwyck. Whether doing comedy or involved in drama she puts most other actresses of yesterday and today in the shade.

Her every speech, movement, expression is always right on the mark,and she is at her best as a manipulated evangelist who manipulates others.

She melts when she meets a blind aviator, a role nicely played by David Manners, but Sam Hardy is the scene stealer as the con man who sets her up for the kill. Chomping his cigar and scowling at the world he is, as was meant to be, pretty damned hateful.

Also, kudos to character actress Beryl Mercer as Manners' landlady/friend.

The opening scene, wherein Stanwyck gives the parishioners hell - literally - sets the pace with vigor, a pace that never lets up.

"The Miracle Woman" is a must-see for both content, performances, and direction.