The False Madonna

It took brave souls to attempt filming this moth-ball ridden story. Poor Kay Francis at 26 plays the long lost impostor-mother of a blind teenager in order to inherit the boys fortune! She's part of a gang of crooks and agrees to be the "false madonna" as a final fling with crime. The teenager (John Breedon) is so terribly earnest and sweet that Kay feels her "mother love" instinct and can't follow through with the machinations. The boys caretaker (Conway Tearle) is on to Kay, but keeps her secret as the boys health is on the wane; the boy couldn't stand the "shock" of knowing his new found mother is a phony. The actors do what they can with this off-the-wall story-line. Scenes between Kay and the boy are actually quite moving and when Kay takes a second look at the life she's been living, the effect is quite poignant. If you're a fan of Francis you'll enjoy watching her almost get away with the impossible.