A Free Soul

A Free Soul
theatrical release poster
Directed byClarence Brown
Written byDialogue continuity by
John Meehan
Adaptation by
Becky Gardiner[1]
Uncredited:
Philip Dunning
Dorothy Farnum
John Lynch
Based onA Free Soul (1927 novel)
by Adela Rogers St. Johns
A Free Soul (1928 play)
by Willard Mack (uncredited)[1]
Produced byClarence Brown
Irving Thalberg (uncredited)
StarringNorma Shearer
CinematographyWilliam Daniels
Edited byHugh Wynn
Production
company
Distributed byLoew's Inc.
Release dates
  • June 2, 1931 (1931-06-02) (NYC)
  • June 20, 1931 (1931-06-20) (US)
Running time
91 minutes
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish
Budget$529,000[2]
Box office$1.4 million [2]

A Free Soul is a 1931 American pre-Code drama film directed by Clarence Brown and starring Norma Shearer, Leslie Howard, Lionel Barrymore and Clark Gable.[3][4][5][6][7]

A Free Soul became famous for Barrymore's climactic courtroom monologue, and he won the Academy Award for Best Actor for his performance.[8] Gable made such an impression in the role of a gangster who bullies Shearer that he was catapulted from supporting player to leading man.[1]

  1. ^ a b c "A Free Soul". American Film Institute. Retrieved March 5, 2014.
  2. ^ a b The Eddie Mannix Ledger, Los Angeles: Margaret Herrick Library, Center for Motion Picture Study.
  3. ^ Norma Shearer, "Free Soul," at Loews (The Reading Eagle, July 3, 1931, p. 10)
  4. ^ "AMUSEMENTS / Norma Shearer, Loews, Stars in "A Free Soul" (The Reading Eagle, July 4, 1931, p. 10)
  5. ^ "Norma Shearer in "A Free Soul," Loews (The Reading Eagle, July 5, 1931, p. 10) includes photo of Lionel Barrymore and Norma Shearer
  6. ^ "Fox California Has Norma Shearer Film" (Berkeley Daily Gazette, July 20, 1931, p. three) includes sketched reproduction of Norma Shearer's face
  7. ^ ""Every Word they told You is True" This is Norma Shearer's Best! / "A FREE SOUL"" (The Florence Times-News, August 10, 1931, p. three) includes photographs of Norma Shearer and other stories about the film and her career
  8. ^ "A Free Soul". Turner Classic Movies. Retrieved March 5, 2014.