Passion Flower (1930)

A bored society woman invites scandal and heartache when she falls in love with her low-born chauffeur.

Director:

William C. de Mille (uncredited)

Writers:

Kathleen Norris (as Kathleen Norris' 'Passion Flower'), Martin Flavin (adaptation)

Stars:

Kay Francis, Kay Johnson, Charles Bickford

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Kay Francis	...	Dulce Morado
Kay Johnson	...	Katherine Pringle 'Cassy' Wallace
Charles Bickford	...	Dan Wallace
Winter Hall	...	Leroy Pringle
Lewis Stone	...	Antonio Morado
Zasu Pitts	...	Mrs. Harney
Dickie Moore	...	Tommy Wallace

Storyline

A bored society woman invites scandal and heartache when she falls in love with her low-born chauffeur.

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Plot Keywords:

chauffeur | family relationships | wedding | wealth | stevedore | 

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Genres:

Drama

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Certificate:

Passed

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

6 December 1930 (USA)

Also Known As:

Flor da Paixão

Company Credits

Production Co:

Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM)

Technical Specs

Sound Mix:

Mono (Western Electric Sound System)

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.20 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

This film's first telecast took place in Altoona PA Wednesday 24 April 1957 on WFBG (Channel 10), followed by New Haven CT Thursday 30 April 1957 on WNHC (Channel 8); it first aired in Portland OR 18 October 1957 on KGW (Channel 8), in Columbus 19 November 1957 on WLW-C (Channel 4), in Honolulu 26 November 1957 on KHVH (Channel 13), in Norfolk VA 17 December 1957 on WTAR (Channel 3), in Cincinnati 13 March 1958 on WLW-T (Channel 5), in Salt Lake City 19 March 1958 on KTVT (Channel 4), in Durham NC 21 April 1958 on WTVD (Channel 11), in Indianapolis 8 May 1958 on WLW-I (Channel 13), in Philadelphia 3 Jujly 1958 on WFIL (Channel 6), and in San Francisco 10 November 1959 on KGO (Channel 7). Obviously eschewed by big city sponsors because of its age, forgotten players, and severely pre-code theme, these very qualities, along with an interesting title, seemed to endear it to less predominant markets, and today's cable TV viewers still welcome it on Turner Classic Movies.

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Quotes

Mrs. Harney: I'm just a poor, lone, widow...
Katherine Pringle 'Cassy' Wallace: Oh, is your husband dead?
Dan Wallace: Yes, honey, her husband's dead. That's one of the reasons she's a widow.

User Reviews

Old when it was new

The plot of this picture may have been fresh back when Grandma was a girl. Come to think of it, when the picture was made, in 1930, Grandma WAS a girl. But it wouldn't be surprising if HER grandmother had come across it somewhere.

It's the one about the rich girl who gives up everything to marry for love - marriage to a poor but independent, honest and reliable man who has nothing but disdain for his wife's glamorous cousin, one of the idle rich who wed a much older man for his money. Unable to escape her wiles, unable to get ahead in the world despite his strong character and earnest efforts, he leaves wife and children to join the sorceress in an aimless pursuit of pleasure here and abroad - until he comes to his senses, returns home and asks his wife's forgiveness.

Have I given away the plot? Then I won't tell you whether she takes him back.

There are fine performances by Kay Francis, Charles Bickford and Kay Johnson, and a typical featherbrained role for ZaSu Pitts that is out of place in this picture.

It is always helpful, from the standpoint of entertainment, for a story to offer a few surprises, something original that will keep the viewer wondering how things will turn out. That is precisely the kind of help this story needs.