Sadie Thompson
| Sadie Thompson | |
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| Directed by | Raoul Walsh |
| Produced by | Gloria Swanson Productions |
| Written by | Gloria Swanson Raoul Walsh |
| Story by | W. Somerset Maugham |
| Based on |
Rain by John Colton and Clemence Randolph |
| Starring |
Gloria Swanson Lionel Barrymore Blanche Friderici Charles Willis Lane |
| Cinematography |
George Barnes Robert Kurrle Oliver T. Marsh |
| Edited by | C. Gardner Sullivan |
| Distributed by | United Artists |
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Release date
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Running time
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91 minutes |
| Country | United States |
| Language |
Silent English intertitles |
| Budget | US$650,000 |
| Box office | $1 million (domestic) $7 million (international) |
Sadie Thompson is a 1928 American silent drama film that tells the story of a "fallen woman" who comes to Pago Pago on the island of Tutuila to start a new life, but encounters a zealous missionary who wants to force her back to her former life in San Francisco. The film stars Gloria Swanson, Lionel Barrymore, and Raoul Walsh, and was one of Swanson's better known silent films.
Due to the subject matter, the making of the film was extremely controversial. However, it was a financial and critical success for Swanson. The film was based on the short story "Rain" by W. Somerset Maugham and the 1922 play that was based on the book by John Colton and Clemence Randolph, starring Jeanne Eagels.
A smoking, drinking, jazz listening, young prostitute named Sadie Thompson (Gloria Swanson) arrives at Pago Pago (now part of American Samoa), on her way to a job with a shipping line on another island. At the same time, 'moralists' arrive, including Mr. and Mrs. Davidson (Lionel Barrymore and Blanche Friderici). They all end up staying in the same hotel, where the Davidsons plot to teach the natives about sin and Sadie entertains a bunch of Marines.
Sadie begins to fall in love with Sergeant Timothy O'Hara (Raoul Walsh), who is not fazed by her past. He tells her that he has a best friend who married a former prostitute, and the couple now live happily in Australia.
Davidson sets about trying to redeem Sadie, much to her disgust. He tricks her into telling him about her past in San Francisco and, once she refuses to repent, he declares that he will go to the Governor and have her deported. Sadie is terrified of the threat, but O'Hara assures her that it will not happen. He tells her he wishes she would go to Australia and wait for his term of service to finish, after which they can get married. She agrees.
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Wikipedia