A Free Soul (1931) | |
| Director(s) | Clarence Brown |
| Producer(s) | Clarence Brown, Irving Thalberg (executive uncredited) |
| Top Genres | Crime, Drama, Romance |
| Top Topics | Alcohol, Based on Play, Book-Based, Gambling, Pre-Code Cinema, Romance (Drama) |
Featured Cast:
A Free Soul Overview:
A Free Soul (1931) was a Crime - Drama Film directed by Clarence Brown and produced by Clarence Brown and Irving Thalberg.
The film was based on the novel of the same name and also Stage Play written by Adela Rogers St. Johns published in 1927 (novel); Jan 12, 1928 - Apr 1928 (play performed at Playhouse Theatre, NY).
Academy Awards 1930/31 --- Ceremony Number 4 (source: AMPAS)
| Award | Recipient | Result |
| Best Actor | Lionel Barrymore | Won |
| Best Actress | Norma Shearer | Nominated |
| Best Director | Clarence Brown | Nominated |
BlogHub Articles:
Uma Alma Livre / A Free Soul (1931)
By L? on Aug 16, 2017 From Critica RetroUma Alma Livre / A Free Soul (1931) ? San Francisco, a cidade do pecado! Um homem (Lionel Barrymore) est? lendo um jornal quando a sombra de uma mulher se projeta na parede do banheiro. A mulher est? nua e pede para ele trazer a lingerie at? ela. Ele faz isso, e podemos ver um belo suti? send... Read full article
A Free Soul
By Amanda Garrett on Jun 11, 2016 From Old Hollywood FilmsToday, I'm reviewing the classic legal melodrama A Free Soul (1931), starring Lionel Barrymore and Norma Shearer. This article is part of Order in the Court! The Classic Courtroom Movies Blogathon hosted by Second Sight Cinema and CineMaven's Essays From the Couch. There are a lot of great cou... Read full article
A Free Soul (1931, Clarence Brown)
By Andrew Wickliffe on Oct 3, 2015 From The Stop ButtonThe first hour of A Free Soul is this extremely engaging, if occasionally melodramatic, story about Norma Shearer and Lionel Barrymore. They’re rebellious blue bloods–Barrymore’s Shearer’s father and he’s raised her to be an independent woman. He’s a defense attor... Read full article
Pre-Code vs Post-Code: "A Free Soul" and "The Girl Who Had Everything"
By David on Dec 26, 2014 From The Man on the Flying TrapezeAdela Rogers St. Johns's novel "A Free Soul" was filmed twice -- once in 1931, under its original title, and again in 1953 as "The Girl Who Had Everything." In both cases the female leads were played by MGM royalty -- Norma Shearer and Elizabeth Taylor, respectively. The character they play is the ... Read full article
Pre-Code vs Post-Code: "A Free Soul" and "The Girl Who Had Everything"
By David on Dec 26, 2014 From The Man on the Flying TrapezeAdela Rogers St. Johns's novel "A Free Soul" was filmed twice -- once in 1931, under its original title, and again in 1953 as "The Girl Who Had Everything." In both cases the female leads were played by MGM royalty -- Norma Shearer and Elizabeth Taylor, respectively. The character they play is the ... Read full article
See all A Free Soul articles
Quotes from
Ace Wilfong, Gangster Defendant: Mr. Ashe, a guy like me has to ride with lady luck. A squealer leaves his pals in plenty of trouble.
Stephen Ashe, Defense Attorney: Hmm, I see. You want to go to the gallows with your mouth shut.
Stephen Ashe, Defense Attorney: [to Jan] I've had to drink as I've had to breathe, and you know it!
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Facts about
The film ranked as ninth best picture in 1935 by the annual Film Daily poll of critics.
When the final version of the movie went before Hollywood censors, they demanded that MGM cut the scene where Norma Shearer lays on the bed and suggestively asks Clark Gable to put his arms around her. The studio ignored the demand and released the film uncut.
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