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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)

AwardRecipientResult
Best ActorLionel BarrymoreWon
Best ActressNorma ShearerNominated
Best DirectorClarence BrownNominated
See More Oscar Winners

A Free Soul BlogHub Articles:

Uma Alma Livre / A Free Soul (1931)

By Lê on Aug 16, 2017 From Critica Retro

Uma Alma Livre / A Free Soul (1931) É San Francisco, a cidade do pecado! Um homem (Lionel Barrymore) está lendo um jornal quando a sombra de uma mulher se projeta na parede do banheiro. A mulher está nua e pede para ele trazer a lingerie até ela. Ele faz isso, e podemos ver um belo sutiã... Read full article

A Free Soul (1931, Clarence Brown)

By Andrew Wickliffe on Oct 3, 2015 From The Stop Button

The 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 Trapeze

Adela 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 Trapeze

Adela 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

A Free Soul (1931) (2)

By Angela on Nov 18, 2012 From Hollywood Revue

Jan Ashe (Norma Shearer) and her father Stephen(Lionel Barrymore) have a very close relationship.  Even though a lot of their family judges Stephen for his alcoholism, Jan stands by him every step of the way. When she and Stephen are invited to a family dinner, Jan’s grandmother asks her to k... Read full article

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A Free Soul Quotes:

Jan Ashe: [to Dwight] I just don't want to get married, Dwight. I don't want life to settle down around me like a pan of sour dough. I don't want it one little bit.
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!
Ace Wilfong, Gangster Defendant: A lot of people don't believe that gag about being born equal.
Jan Ashe: [Clearly taken with Gable] You're a new kind of man in a new kind of world.
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A Free Soul Facts
According to the Guinness Book of World Records (2002), the movie holds the record for the longest take in a commercial film, the climactic courtroom scene at 14 minutes. Since a reel of camera film only lasts 10 minutes, it was achieved by using more than one camera.
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.
In the outdoor location sequence where the donkey chases James Gleason, the actor, not a stuntman, is clearly knocked down by the animal, a scene which clearly wasn't planned as Norma Shearer's reaction attests.
The film ranked as ninth best picture in 1935 by the annual Film Daily poll of critics.
Willard Mack's play, based on Adela Rogers St. Johns's novel, opened on Broadway in New York City, New York, USA on 12 January 1928 and closed in April 1928 after 100 performances. The opening night cast included Melvyn Douglas as Ace Wilfong and Kay Johnson as Jan Ashe.
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