The Way of Life (1932)
"They Call It Sin" (original title)

With time on his hands during a business trip, Jimmy Decker (who's engaged to his boss's daughter) romances small-town church organist Marion Cullen, who follows him to New York only to ... See full summary »

Director:

Thornton Freeland

Writers:

Alberta Stedman Eagan (based on a novel by), Lillie Hayward (screen play),

Stars:

Loretta Young, George Brent, Una Merkel

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Loretta Young	...	Marion Cullen
George Brent	...	Dr. Travers
Una Merkel	...	Dixie Dare
David Manners	...	Jimmy Decker
Helen Vinson	...	Enid Hollister
Louis Calhern	...	Ford Humphries
Joseph Cawthorn	...	Mr. Hollister (as Joe Cawthorne)
Nella Walker	...	Mrs. Hollister
Elizabeth Patterson	...	Mrs. Cullen
Erville Alderson	...	Mr. Cullen

Storyline

With time on his hands during a business trip, Jimmy Decker (who's engaged to his boss's daughter) romances small-town church organist Marion Cullen, who follows him to New York only to learn Jimmy's true colors after she's burned her bridges. Marion's looks and talent get her a job with theatrical producer Ford Humphries. Will she succumb to her boss, take up with now-married Jimmy, marry honest suitor Tony Travers...or become a full-fledged gold digger?

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Plot Keywords:

theatrical producer | church | organist | jealousy | coma | 

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Genres:

Drama

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Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

5 November 1932 (USA)

Also Known As:

Konstnärsblod

Company Credits

Production Co:

First National Pictures, Vitaphone Corporation, The, Warner Bros

Technical Specs

Runtime:

69 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Did You Know?

Quotes

Ford Humphries: [at a nightclub bar, introductions are being made] Miss Dare, Mr. Goodrich.
Mr. Goodrich: [tipsily] Hello, baby!
Ford Humphries: Dixie, Mr. Goodrich wants to dance with you.
[Dixie starts to protest]
Ford Humphries: No, no look here - that's not fat around his middle; that's the belt he carries his money in.
Dixie Dare: [brightening] Oh, well then maybe he needs me.
[Dragging Mr. Goodrich onto the dance floor]
Dixie Dare: I'd just *love* to dance with you!
Mr. Goodrich: [befuddled] Who said I wanted to dance?
Dixie Dare: Oh, but you will!
[...]

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Soundtracks

"Rock of Ages"
(1830) (uncredited)
Music by Thomas Hastings (1830)
Played off-screen on an organ in church

User Reviews

Glossy Soaper

A small-town Kansas girl encounters hard luck & happiness when she follows her true love to New York City.

Aided by an excellent cast, THEY CALL IT SIN is a superior soap opera which delivers just enough sentiment & humor to keep the attention of most viewers. While the heroine's change of affection in the final scene is never really explained, this doesn't detract from the overall enjoyment of the film. Particularly commendable are the sequences set in the Merton park, with the softly playing ukulele setting a gentle romantic mood.

Beautiful Loretta Young is radiant as the sweet young thing who follows her dreams to the Big City. Doe-eyed & innocent, her purity is nicely countered by brassy, sassy Una Merkel, cartwheeling through her role as a chorus girl who doesn't take nonsense from anyone. Suave doctor George Brent & earnest businessman David Manners are both very fine in their roles as the fellows who adore Miss Young.

Helen Vinson plays Manners' wealthy fiancée. Elizabeth Patterson scores in her small role as Miss Young's spiteful ‘mother.' Louis Calhern plays the proper scoundrel as a lecherous theatrical producer.

Movie mavens will recognize an uncredited Roscoe Karns as a sarcastic dance rehearsal director. Marion Byron delivers some funny moments as the Merton soda jerk.