Tarnished Angel (1938)

67-68 mins | Drama | 28 October 1938

Director:

Leslie Goodwins

Producer:

B. P. Fineman

Cinematographer:

Nicholas Musuraca

Production Designer:

Van Nest Polglase

Production Company:

RKO Radio Pictures, Inc.
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HISTORY

The working titles of this film were Sing, Sister and Miracle Racket. A Jul 1938 HR news item announced that Mitzi Green was to be Sally Eilers' co-star. The film features a tap dancing number performed by Ann Miller. Costumes worn by Eilers resemble those worn by evangelist Aimee Semple McPherson, who was a widely known religious figure at the time. ...

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The working titles of this film were Sing, Sister and Miracle Racket. A Jul 1938 HR news item announced that Mitzi Green was to be Sally Eilers' co-star. The film features a tap dancing number performed by Ann Miller. Costumes worn by Eilers resemble those worn by evangelist Aimee Semple McPherson, who was a widely known religious figure at the time.

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SOURCE CITATIONS
SOURCE
DATE
PAGE
Daily Variety
22 Oct 1938
p. 3
Film Daily
26 Oct 1938
p. 7
Hollywood Reporter
25 Jul 1938
p. 3
Hollywood Reporter
25 Aug 1938
p. 13
Hollywood Reporter
17 Sep 1938
p. 3
Hollywood Reporter
22 Oct 1938
p. 3
Motion Picture Daily
28 Oct 1938
p. 7
Motion Picture Herald
29 Oct 1938
p. 44
New York Times
15 Nov 1938
p. 27
Variety
16 Nov 1938
p. 15
DETAILS
Alternate Titles:
Miracle Racket
Sing, Sister
Release Date:
28 October 1938
Production Date:
25 Aug--16 Sep 1938
Copyright Info
Claimant
Date
Copyright Number
RKO Radio Pictures, Inc.
28 October 1938
LP8412
Physical Properties:
Sound
RCA Victor System
Black and White
Duration(in mins):
67-68
Length(in feet):
6,106
Country:
United States
PCA No:
4645
SYNOPSIS

After gambling hostess and showgirl Carol Vinson helps Dan Bennett, a jewel thief, escape from a police raid lead by Detective Edward Cramer, she and her best friends, dancer Violet McMaster and Violet's boyfriend, Eddie Fox, flee the city. Chased from town to town by Cramer, who has vowed to catch Carol in an illegal act, the nearly broke trio finally stops at a shelter, where a preacher is delivering a sermon on the evils of money. Following the sermon, a collection bowl is passed, and the sight of the modest contributions inspires Carol with an idea. She dies her hair blonde, renames herself "Sister Connie," and travels throughout New England with a revival show that sometimes features phony faith healing. Carol's success leads to an item in a newspaper gossip column that suggests that Connie, the revivalist, is the same as Carol, the showgirl. Both Cramer and Paul Montgomery, a reformed playboy who is in love with Carol, read the item and show up at the next scheduled meeting. When Carol spies Cramer in the audience, she decides to confess her past and use her seeming reformation as part of her show, which climaxes in her generous donation to the local children's hospital. Touched by Carol's "charity," Mrs. Harry Stockton, the philanthropic founder of the hospital, invites the evangelist to spend the weekend at her estate, unaware that she has made arrangements with Dan to steal a valuable necklace from her. During her visit, Carol, who has met some of the hospital's disabled children, is surprised when Mrs. Stockton asks that she take over the hospital after she dies. In spite of her ...

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After gambling hostess and showgirl Carol Vinson helps Dan Bennett, a jewel thief, escape from a police raid lead by Detective Edward Cramer, she and her best friends, dancer Violet McMaster and Violet's boyfriend, Eddie Fox, flee the city. Chased from town to town by Cramer, who has vowed to catch Carol in an illegal act, the nearly broke trio finally stops at a shelter, where a preacher is delivering a sermon on the evils of money. Following the sermon, a collection bowl is passed, and the sight of the modest contributions inspires Carol with an idea. She dies her hair blonde, renames herself "Sister Connie," and travels throughout New England with a revival show that sometimes features phony faith healing. Carol's success leads to an item in a newspaper gossip column that suggests that Connie, the revivalist, is the same as Carol, the showgirl. Both Cramer and Paul Montgomery, a reformed playboy who is in love with Carol, read the item and show up at the next scheduled meeting. When Carol spies Cramer in the audience, she decides to confess her past and use her seeming reformation as part of her show, which climaxes in her generous donation to the local children's hospital. Touched by Carol's "charity," Mrs. Harry Stockton, the philanthropic founder of the hospital, invites the evangelist to spend the weekend at her estate, unaware that she has made arrangements with Dan to steal a valuable necklace from her. During her visit, Carol, who has met some of the hospital's disabled children, is surprised when Mrs. Stockton asks that she take over the hospital after she dies. In spite of her growing uneasiness, Carol goes ahead with Dan's robbery plan, which is to open with a faked faith healing during a final revival meeting. Unknown to Carol, however, the "professional" cripple fails to attend and she unwittingly cures a genuine cripple in the audience. Shocked by her success of faith, Carol confesses all to Mrs. Stockton and is aided by Eddie and Cramer in foiling Dan in his robbery attempt. Truly reformed and regenerated, Carol embraces Paul and is forgiven by Cramer.

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Legend
Viewed by AFI
Partially Viewed
Offscreen Credit
Name Occurs Before Title
AFI Life Achievement Award

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