Sadie Thompson

Sadie Thompson, a smoking, drinking, jazz-listening young prostitute, steps off the ship in Pago Pago on her way to a new job on another island. She quickly ends up at the same hotel as a party of arriving moralists who intend to reform her behavior. The setting introduces a clash between Sadie's free life and the strict judgments of the locals.

Mr. and Mrs. Davidson and the other moralists settle into the hotel where their reforming mission begins. They announce their intent to teach the natives about sin, while Sadie continues to entertain the Marines, creating tension between laughter, libertine behavior, and moral oversight.

Sadie begins to fall for Sergeant Timothy O'Hara, who isn't fazed by her past. He even shares a story about a best friend who married a former prostitute and found happiness in Australia, hinting at a possible path for Sadie. The pair's budding relationship complicates the moralists' agenda.

Davidson decides to push for Sadie's deportation if she won't repent. He tricks her into admitting her San Francisco past and threatens to go to the governor, which would exile her. Fear grips Sadie as she realizes the consequences of resisting reform.

Sadie pleads for permission to go to Australia instead of returning to San Francisco. Davidson has already maneuvered to punish O'Hara for immorality, but Sadie would be allowed to go to Australia if Davidson approves. The decision rests on the governor's stance and Sadie's willingness to repent.

Facing deportation, Sadie offers to repent and asks Davidson to accept her change. Davidson insists that true repentance requires prison, and he begins to pray with her as she confronts her past. The moment marks the start of her conversion.

Over three days of prayer, Sadie renounces her former life and becomes a modest woman. She has put away her old things and fully embraces the new path, while O'Hara's presence signals a possible future together. Davidson's influence wanes as she commits to change.

O'Hara returns and finds Davidson has apparently disappeared, perhaps to stop the locals from dancing on the beach. He reveals a fishing boat is waiting to take Sadie to a ship bound for Australia, where they can marry. Sadie asserts that the 'old Sadie is dead' and says she must go to San Francisco to repent in prison if necessary.

O'Hara tries to forcibly escort Sadie to the boat, but she begs him to stop and not cause trouble for Davidson. The lovers' plan is tested as Sadie’s plea reveals her fear and loyalty remains split between love and duty. O'Hara leaves in anger, and Sadie remains torn.

That night, as heavy rain falls, Davidson can't sleep from unsettling dreams about Sadie. He steps outside to wrestle with his own unwanted attraction, peering at her window before retreating to his room in a troubled state. The tension hints at danger between the two.

Sadie, frightened by noises, waits in Davidson's room but is quickly sent back to her own. The moment underscores the precarious balance of power and desire surrounding her, and the fear that any misstep could unleash tragedy.

The last reel of the film is missing, but the original story has Davidson dying by suicide, discovered by fishermen. Sadie and O'Hara reconcile and prepare to sail to Australia together, attempting to start anew away from the hotel’s upheaval. The unresolved ending leaves a haunting sense of consequences from the characters' actions.