The Miracle Woman (1931)

Outraged by her late father's treatment by his congregation, a minister's daughter (Barbara Stanwyck) accuses them of hypocrisy and ingratitude. A grifter (Sam Hardy) is impressed with her fervor and takes her under his wing and soon turns her into a famous evangelist. Based on the play BLESS YOU SISTER by John Meehan and Robert Riskin and directed by Frank Capra (LOST HORIZON). This is one of the best of Barbara Stanwyck's early performances but it's a pity the film doesn't measure up to her work here. The story itself (based on Aimee Semple McPherson) is bogged down by a mawkish romance between Stanwyck's evangelist and a blind aviator (David Manners). One can't help but notice the similarities to ELMER GANTRY (1960), a superior film on the same subject. Stanwyck and Capra would do better the next year with BITTER TEA OF GENERAL YEN.  With Beryl Mercer and Russell Hopton.