The Miracle Woman (1931)

it is the rare 'crazy' movie that actually has something to say.

Great story, amazing characters, superb action, enthralling cinematography. Yes, this is something I am glad I spent money on.

While it doesn't offer any answers, it both thrills and makes you think.

After playing with our expectations, this turns out to be a very different sort of film.

Barbara Stanwck really lets loose with her frustration and anger in this film's opening scene, as only she could. As she rails at the congregation from a pulpit, a reverend stands in the crowd and implores her to remember she's in the house of God. "What God? Who's God? Yours? This isn't a house of God! It's a meeting-place for hyporcrites!" she screams in reply.Now, it is a little hard to believe when she then turns around and becomes a hypocrite herself, under the guidance of a con-man played well by Sam Hardy. The scenes of her evangelizing to the masses and over the radio are a little slow at first, but the film grew on me. What really makes it is Stanwyck falling for a blind man (David Manners) who was helped by one of her sermons. The scenes between the two are charming and romantic, including him doing some ventriloquism so that he can have his dummy express his feelings, and her playfully singing "The Farmer in the Dell" in a funny voice and breaking up laughing. That bit is so naturally it seems like we're seeing Stanwyck in her home, impromptu. She also sends him letters made with cut-out, raised letters so he can read them, which I thought was touching. David Manners is reasonably good at playing blind, and seems to get better as the film goes on, keeping up with Stanwyck. Frank Capra is a great director, and uses interesting camera angles, slow pans to show a character's gaze, and cuts to minor characters making comments about what they (and we) are seeing. He can really put a finger on what touches us, for example, when Manners elaborately prepares himself so that he can pretend he's got his vision back, but Stanwyck eventually sees through him. Capra also builds to dramatic moments towards the end, though he's unfortunately heavy-handed in the expressions of 'true faith'. I'm not a big fan of that, but for me, the film is a love story, and about the miracle of love, more than anything else.

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.

In the scene of the fire ladder-truck racing to the scene, the city streets were actually filmed at night.Clearly seen on the left side of the street, the fire truck passes: "The Owl Drug Co." That company had a related past of selling highly suspect "cures" in the 1920-30's when this film was made.Also newspaper articles at the time noted that they had a hand in controlling the prices of drugs sold. The view of the building, brightly lit up at night, does not seem to be completely accidental. Other city streets could have been used.I wonder if the sight was intentionally included by the director/cameraman as a comment relating to "Sister's" "cures". You can read about the The Owl Drug Co. by searching for it on the Internet.

A young – and gorgeous – Barbara Stanwyck steals the film as a fire-and-brimstone evangelist whose initial cynicism at the hypocrisy of the churchgoers who discarded her elderly preacher father for a newer model is eroded by the love of a blind man (David Manners). The story is one that couldn't have been told in the manner it is a couple of years later when the code was enforced, which is partly why the film is so fascinating: so few pre-code films are broadcast on TV these days – the vast majority of films shown on TV today are no more than 20 years old – that they are intriguing to watch to discover why the censors got so worked up about them.The film is a bit talky in parts, especially in the scenes shared by Manners and Stanwyck, but the subject matter is strong enough to overcome these moments. Capra's work is assured and the script is good. While the film may not appeal to a modern audience, it stands as a fine example of superior studio product from Hollywood's golden age.