Florence Fallon, the daughter of an elderly minister, chastises his congregation for their hypocrisy when her father, dismissed so a younger man could take his place, dies of a broken heart. The ashamed flock flees, except for Hornsby, a slick promoter, who convinces her to turn her anger into cash. Soon Florence becomes Sister Fallon, leader of the popular Temple of Happiness, where she performs fake “miracles.” One day, John Carson, a blind former aviator, becomes so depressed that he attempts suicide, but Florence’s radio sermon strengthens him. When John goes to hear Florence, he is skeptical, especially when she preaches from inside a cage of lions, but he does go to the stage when Hornsby’s pre-arranged shill does not answer her call. After the show, Florence sneaks out and comes across John standing outside, hoping to meet her. She goes to his apartment, where they have a grand time laughing at Al, John’s ventriloquist’s dummy. After leaving his apartment, she goes to Hornsby’s place, where a riotous party is underway. Hornsby’s general sales manager, Bill Welford, threatens Hornsby and Florence with press exposure unless he is given more of the money he and Hornsby are fraudulently collecting. Hornsby acquiesces and Florence leaves in disgust, her eyes opened to Hornsby’s shady deals. As time passes, Florence and John’s relationship blossoms. One day, Hornsby shows Florence a newspaper article about Welford’s apparent suicide, then tells her he loves her and forces a kiss. After Florence warns him never to touch her again, he steals her keys. Later, when she returns home after spending the evening with John, she finds Hornsby, who shows her newspaper articles he planted, describing their future trip to Palestine, which he really intends as a romantic tour of Monte Carlo. She refuses to go and is stunned when he reveals that he embezzled the donations. The accounts are in her name, he tells her, and she will be held responsible, just as she will for Welford’s murder, which Hornsby arranged. Some time later, when Florence and John are saying goodbye, she tells him the truth about her phony preaching, but he says he loves her nonetheless. The next day, John tries to convince Florence that he has regained his sight, in order to build her morale, but he does not succeed. Florence is so moved by his compassion, however, that she resolves to tell her followers the truth. After she leaves, Hornsby, thinking that John has regained his sight, knocks him out. On the stage, Florence confesses to the audience, but Hornsby accidentally starts a fire when he tries to shut off the lights. The audience stampedes, but Florence urges them to sing, and her guidance saves them. The smoke revives John, who rescues Florence when she collapses. Six months later, Hornsby sees Florence, now a Salvation Army worker. She receives a telegram from John saying that his sight may be restored, and that Al wants to be best man at their wedding. While Hornsby laments the money Florence could have made, she marches by, content and full of faith. More on Wikipedia
Watch The Miracle Woman (1931)
