The Miracle Woman

The Miracle Woman

Year: 1931

Runtime: 90 mins

Language: English

Director: Frank Capra

Drama

A spirited young woman, the daughter of an overlooked minister, loses her faith after his death and teams with a con man to create a fraudulent temple. Despite her cynicism, the affection of a blind former aviator offers a chance to regain her belief in God and find true happiness.

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Timeline & Setting – The Miracle Woman (1931)

Explore the full timeline and setting of The Miracle Woman (1931). Follow every major event in chronological order and see how the environment shapes the story, characters, and dramatic tension.

Time period

Location

United States, Monte Carlo, Palestine

The story unfolds primarily in the United States as Florence Fallon tours with the Temple of Happiness and broadcasts sermons on the radio. It also reaches glamourous, high-society scenes at a Monte Carlo party and includes references to travel plans toward Palestine. Key settings include Florence's home, the church where the crusade takes place, and John Carson's apartment, where intimate moments shape the characters' fates.

🏙️ United States 🗺️ Monte Carlo 🕊️ Palestine

Last Updated: December 04, 2025 at 15:21

Main Characters – The Miracle Woman (1931)

Meet the key characters of The Miracle Woman (1931), with detailed profiles, motivations, and roles in the plot. Understand their emotional journeys and what they reveal about the film’s deeper themes.

Florence Fallon (Barbara Stanwyck)

An ambitious preacher known as 'Sister Fallon' who turns faith into a platform for profit. She captivates followers with charismatic sermons, yet her personal motivations are tested as she confronts the consequences of her manipulation. Her arc moves from self-serving evangelism toward genuine faith and a renewed sense of responsibility.

🎭 Protagonist 🕊️ Morality

John Carson (David Manners)

A blind aviator veteran who wrestles with despair and finds himself drawn to Florence's message. He becomes a moral anchor for the story, ultimately restoring hope through love and perseverance. His journey intertwines with Florence's, culminating in acts of courage and reconciliation.

👁️ Vision 🎖️ Veteran

Bob Hornsby (Sam Hardy)

A calculating promoter who engineers Florence's rise to fame for financial gain. He manipulates events and uses fear and pressure to control both Florence and the congregation, illustrating the corrosive power of greed within religious performance.

🎭 Antagonist 💰 Manipulation

Bill Welford (Russell Hopton)

The manager who undermines Florence's crusade by threatening to reveal compromising facts for money. His machinations propel the plot toward crisis, culminating in a perceived tragedy that escalates tensions between the characters.

🎭 Supporting 💼 Manager

Mrs. Higgins (Beryl Mercer)

Caregiver to John who provides steadiness and a grounding presence amid the turmoil of Florence's rise and fall. She offers quiet support and moral clarity in pivotal moments.

👵 Caregiver 🤝 Support

Last Updated: December 04, 2025 at 15:21

Major Themes – The Miracle Woman (1931)

Explore the central themes of The Miracle Woman (1931), from psychological, social, and emotional dimensions to philosophical messages. Understand what the film is really saying beneath the surface.

🕯️ Religious Hypocrisy

Florence leverages faith as a tool for profit, preying on gullible believers to extract donations. Her sensational sermons and dramatic stunts blur the line between genuine spirituality and showmanship. The plot exposes the moral cost of manipulating faith for personal gain and the eventual consequences for those involved.

🔥 Redemption

John's steadfast care and Florence's confession begin a path toward moral reckoning. The church fire becomes a catalyzing moment, with Florence singing as chaos erupts and John risking himself to rescue her, reframing faith from spectacle to sincerity. In the end, Florence seeks a vocation of service with renewed faith, aided by John's enduring connection.

Last Updated: December 04, 2025 at 15:21

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Explore Movie Threads

Discover curated groups of movies connected by mood, themes, and story style. Browse collections built around emotion, atmosphere, and narrative focus to easily find films that match what you feel like watching right now.

Movies about fraud and redemption like The Miracle Woman

Characters who build empires on lies, only to find their conscience and a path to redemption.If you enjoyed The Miracle Woman's story of a fraudulent temple and a cynical protagonist's path to truth, you'll find similar narratives here. These movies feature complex characters running cons, facing moral dilemmas, and ultimately seeking redemption, blending dramatic tension with hopeful conclusions.

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Narrative Summary

Stories in this thread typically follow a protagonist who has mastered the art of deception, building a successful but hollow life. A catalyst—often a person who sees their true self or an event that threatens their entire scheme—forces a confrontation with their own morality, culminating in a choice that leads to personal ruin or spiritual salvation.

Why These Movies?

These films are grouped by their shared focus on the con artist archetype and the specific emotional arc from cynicism to redemption. They balance the tension of maintaining a lie with the hopeful, character-driven journey of rediscovering integrity and genuine human connection.

Movies about spiritual crises like The Miracle Woman

Profound stories of losing belief, only to rediscover hope through love and personal trials.For viewers who liked The Miracle Woman's exploration of lost faith and its rediscovery, this section collects films about profound spiritual journeys. These dramas focus on characters who overcome bitterness and cynicism to find a new, more authentic sense of hope and belief.

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Narrative Summary

The narrative pattern begins with a protagonist whose foundational beliefs are shattered, leaving them bitter and adrift. The plot then introduces forces—such as a pure-hearted love interest or a life-threatening situation—that challenge their cynicism. The central conflict is internal, as the character slowly, often reluctantly, opens themselves to the possibility of hope and grace again.

Why These Movies?

These films share a specific emotional and thematic focus: the arc from spiritual emptiness to renewal. They combine the heaviness of grief and disillusionment with the uplifting payoff of a hopeful, character-driven redemption, creating a compelling mix of dramatic weight and emotional catharsis.

Unlock the Full Story of The Miracle Woman

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The Miracle Woman Summary

Read a complete plot summary of The Miracle Woman, including all key story points, character arcs, and turning points. This in-depth recap is ideal for understanding the narrative structure or reviewing what happened in the movie.

The Miracle Woman Summary

The Miracle Woman Timeline

Track the full timeline of The Miracle Woman with every major event arranged chronologically. Perfect for decoding non-linear storytelling, flashbacks, or parallel narratives with a clear scene-by-scene breakdown.

The Miracle Woman Timeline

The Miracle Woman Spoiler-Free Summary

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The Miracle Woman Spoiler-Free Summary

More About The Miracle Woman

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