An alcoholic lawyer who successfully defended a notorious gambler on a murder charge objects when his free-spirited daughter becomes romantically involved with him.An alcoholic lawyer who successfully defended a notorious gambler on a murder charge objects when his free-spirited daughter becomes romantically involved with him.An alcoholic lawyer who successfully defended a notorious gambler on a murder charge objects when his free-spirited daughter becomes romantically involved with him.
- Won 1 Oscar
- 1 win & 2 nominations total
Roscoe Ates
- Man Shot at in Men's Room
- (uncredited)
Ann Brody
- Hamburger Saleslady
- (uncredited)
Edward Brophy
- Slouch
- (uncredited)
Clarence Burton
- Detective
- (uncredited)
James Donlan
- Reporter
- (uncredited)
Bess Flowers
- Birthday Party Guest
- (uncredited)
Francis Ford
- Skid Row Drunk
- (uncredited)
Henry Hall
- Detective in Raid
- (uncredited)
George Irving
- Johnson - Defense Attorney
- (uncredited)
Edward LeSaint
- Judge
- (uncredited)
Eric Mayne
- Party Guest
- (uncredited)
Sam McDaniel
- Casino Valet
- (uncredited)
Storyline
Did you know
- TriviaWhen 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.
- GoofsAfter the cross-examination finishes, Stephen Ashe begins his summation to the jury. However, he is the defense attorney, and the prosecutor takes the first summation. This "factual mistake" is, in fact, not an absolute, as it depends on the state where the trial is held. For example, in a criminal case (which this is) in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, the defense goes first and the Commonwealth last. (If it were a civil case in PA, the Plaintiff would go first.)
- ConnectionsFeatured in Some of the Best (1949)
- SoundtracksBy the River Sainte Marie
(1931) (uncredited)
Music by Harry Warren
Played as background music during the restaurant scene
Featured review
Free Soul and Gone with the Wind Similarity
Having just seen the Free Soul (1931), I was struck with how much Gable's character foretold his similarly famous role as Rhett Buttler in the 1939 film, Gone with the Wind. The plot situations in the two movies were also very similar, a different time and setting. I noticed the role of the fathers were almost identical. Barrymore's patriarchal role was just as intense as Scarlet's father. Norma Shearer's free soul character was similar but more understandable and empathetic than Scarlet's continuous self-centeredness. The coincidence of the similarity of Leslie Howard's role in both films as the jilted lover was striking. His acting got a lot better in Gone with the Wind. It was easy to see how Gable was destined to be somebody based on his performance in the 1931 film. I found viewing A Free Soul while comparing it to the more famous Civil War movie was an enjoyable experience.
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- nyborgcounseling
- Apr 28, 2005
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Details
- Release date
- Country of origin
- Language
- Also known as
- Free Souls
- Filming locations
- Yosemite National Park, California, USA(Jan, her father and Eddie go camping)
- Production company
- See more company credits at IMDbPro
Box office
- Budget
- $529,000 (estimated)
- Runtime1 hour 33 minutes
- Color
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