THE MIRACLE WOMAN (1931):
Released by Columbia Pictures, directed by Frank Capra and starring Barbara Stanwyck and David Manners.
She asks him why he’s so interested in a bust of her head then suddenly realizes that *feeling* it was his only way of *seeing* her; it was love at first sight!
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If you’re looking for an inspiring story, whatever your faith may or may not be, watch this one! The themes of seeing without “seeing” and love stronger than fear are universal!
I’ve watched a lot of Stanwyck films lately, and this is one of the best! The woman’s filmography is one of the most stellar, high-quality body’s of work I’ve ever seen from anyone in the motion picture business! Time after time, I discover another “classic” from her, and with her, the word actually fits.
Stanwyck had a couple of things on her side though, like being the personal favorite of many of the big-shots of the business, even before they were known as such, like esteemed director, Frank Capra, for example. Another thing she had going for her was being a freelancer—-which means that along with help from her agent, she had her pick of all the best scripts from every studio, being that she was not confined to just one. Like every other leading lady, though, she still had to be under contract in order to make a film. But, her contracts were for shorter terms and therefore less confining, putting her at a slight advantage over her more restricted contemporaries. While it may have lost her political favor (she never won a competitive Oscar), it did not lose her respect.
I often wonder if other actresses would have struggled less if they adopted her system. Then again, someone had to do the lesser films of the day. But, it’s clear that someone wasn’t Stanwyck. Oh, sure she had her stinkers, but her good films far outnumbered them, it seems.
“The Miracle Woman” is a fictional film, but inspired by the most famous & beloved female evangelist of all time, Aimee Semple McPherson. It is a drama, so of course, trouble ensues, as the opening message warned, “Beware of false prophets which come to you in sheep’s clothing….. Mat. VIII, 15.” Needless to say, because of sad life-circumstances, Stanwyck’s character becomes embittered and cynical, going at her work for all the wrong reasons. But, along the way, a miracle! She falls in love with a blind man whom participates in one of her shams (unbeknownst to him of the sham), and the story unfolds beautifully from there.
This is a movie about courage, perseverance, faith, miracles, and true love. This movie will leave you cooing at the sentimentality of it’s depictions of human vulnerability and sudden awareness—-a frighteningly tender awareness of self and others.There is a scene when Stanwyck’s character asks him why he is so interested in a bust of her head which is especially moving (when she suddenly realizes that learning the shape of the bust was his own way of seeing her), it was an unguarded, lovely moment.
If I said no more, you would know this film is worthy of acclaim, as it’s brought to life by the same emotionally-charged, gifted director of such timeless tales as It´s a Wonderful Life, Meet John Doe, and Mr. Smith Goes to Washington —-the ever-reliable Frank Capra! But, it’s not all sugar and sap either, this film even has action and crime elements! A true sign of a good or great film, this one had me on the edge of my seat a couple times! Trust me—-his special brand of Capra “corn” could not be more yummy!
Highly recommended! 3.5 out of 5 stars!
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