Sister Fallon: Director Frank Capra's Classic Tale (Movie: The Miracle Woman)

This is a classic tale of one of the Hollywood's greatest directors, Frank Capra that illustrates his creative power and ingenuity early in his career. This is a story of pastor Florence Fallon (Barbara Stanwyck) who is taken advantage by a slick promoter Hornsby (Sam Hardy) who plans to build a mega-ministry using Sister Florence as the preacher. He introduces her to such gimmicks as preaching from a cage of lions, fake healing power and other money-making sensations. Soon Florence comes to her senses when Bill Welford (Russell Hopton), sales manager of the ministry threatens to expose the church to the media about their dirty money-making schemes. In the mean time she befriends a blind aviator, John Carson (David Manners) who is rescued by Fallon's messages of faith. As their friendship matures into romance, Hornsby gets jealous and hatches a plan to win her over through his dirty tricks. He threatens to implicate Florence as responsible for Bill Welford's apparent suicide, embezzlement of donations, and a newspaper articles he printed that describes their future trip to Palestine. However his true intention is to go to Monte Carlo for romantic get together. In the meantime Florence is moved by John Carson's love and disgusted by the evil plans of Hornsby, she tells her followers the truth. During a revival, Hornsby accidentally starts a fire that ignites the building and the audience stampedes, and Florence collapses in a rage of fire only to be rescued by John Carson. Later she joins the Salvation Army and receives a telegram from John saying that his sight may be restored, and Florence marches on into the future full of faith and peace in her heart.

This movie is reminiscent of another great classic "Elmer Gantry," starring Burt Lancaster and Jean Simmons. In fact both movies have very similar themes and music. The audience comes to inescapable conclusion that this movie had some impact on the production Elmer Gantry. During revival, both movies use the same music, "Battle Hymn of the Republic" (circa 1856), Music by William Steffe and Lyrics by Julia Ward Howe (1862). This is used during the opening credits and at several revival meetings, and the second, "Onward Christian Soldiers" (1871), Music by Arthur Sullivan (1871) and Lyrics by Sabine Baring-Gould (1865): Also played by the band at a revival meeting. Barbara Stanwyck offers a brilliant performance as Sister Florence, and director Frank Capra shows his talent as one of the best Hollywood directors.

Reference: The Miracle Woman – DVD