A Free Soul

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A Free Soul is a 1931 Pre-Code film which tells the story of an alcoholic defense attorney who must defend his daughter's ex-boyfriend on a charge of murdering the mobster she had started a relationship with; a mobster whom her father had previously gotten an acquittal for on a murder charge. A Free Soul stars Norma Shearer, Leslie Howard, Lionel Barrymore and Clark Gable (the first screen appearance together of the future Ashley Wilkes and Rhett Butler).

The movie was adapted by Becky Gardiner and John Meehan (dialogue continuity) from the play by Willard Mack, which was based on the book by Adela Rogers St. Johns. It was directed by Clarence Brown.

Lionel Barrymore won the 1931 Academy Award for Best Actor for his role in A Free Soul, while Norma Shearer was nominated for Best Actress in a Leading Role and Clarence Brown for Best Director. Clark Gable won something worth more than any award, however; he was so powerful in the role of a gangster who slaps Norma Shearer that he was catapulted from chronic supporting player to leading man, and never played another supporting role again as long as he lived.

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