Tarnished Angel
Brief Synopsis
A phony evangelist finds religion herself when her powers actually heal someone.
Cast & Crew
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Leslie Goodwins
Director
Sally Eilers
Carol Vinson, later known as Sister Connie
Lee Bowman
Paul Montgomery
Ann Miller
Violet McMaster
Alma Kruger
Mrs. Harry Stockton
Paul Guilfoyle
Eddie Fox
Film Details
Also Known As
Miracle Racket, Sing, Sister
Genre
Drama
Comedy
Religion
Release Date
Oct
28,
1938
Premiere Information
not available
Production Company
RKO Radio Pictures, Inc.
Distribution Company
RKO Radio Pictures, Inc.
Country
United States
Technical Specs
Duration
1h 7m
Sound
Mono (RCA Victor System)
Color
Black and White
Theatrical Aspect Ratio
1.37 : 1
Film Length
6,106ft
Synopsis
After gambling hostess and showgirl Carol Vinson helps Dan Bennett, a jewel thief, escape from a police raid lead by Detective Edward Cramer, she and her best friends, dancer Violet McMaster and Violet's boyfriend, Eddie Fox, flee the city. Chased from town to town by Cramer, who has vowed to catch Carol in an illegal act, the nearly broke trio finally stops at a shelter, where a preacher is delivering a sermon on the evils of money. Following the sermon, a collection bowl is passed, and the sight of the modest contributions inspires Carol with an idea. She dies her hair blonde, renames herself "Sister Connie," and travels throughout New England with a revival show that sometimes features phony faith healing. Carol's success leads to an item in a newspaper gossip column that suggests that Connie, the revivalist, is the same as Carol, the showgirl. Both Cramer and Paul Montgomery, a reformed playboy who is in love with Carol, read the item and show up at the next scheduled meeting. When Carol spies Cramer in the audience, she decides to confess her past and use her seeming reformation as part of her show, which climaxes in her generous donation to the local children's hospital. Touched by Carol's "charity," Mrs. Harry Stockton, the philanthropic founder of the hospital, invites the evangelist to spend the weekend at her estate, unaware that she has made arrangements with Dan to steal a valuable necklace from her. During her visit, Carol, who has met some of the hospital's disabled children, is surprised when Mrs. Stockton asks that she take over the hospital after she dies. In spite of her growing uneasiness, Carol goes ahead with Dan's robbery plan, which is to open with a faked faith healing during a final revival meeting. Unknown to Carol, however, the "professional" cripple fails to attend and she unwittingly cures a genuine cripple in the audience. Shocked by her success of faith, Carol confesses all to Mrs. Stockton and is aided by Eddie and Cramer in foiling Dan in his robbery attempt. Truly reformed and regenerated, Carol embraces Paul and is forgiven by Cramer.
Director
Leslie Goodwins
Director
Cast
Sally Eilers
Carol Vinson, later known as Sister Connie
Lee Bowman
Paul Montgomery
Ann Miller
Violet McMaster
Alma Kruger
Mrs. Harry Stockton
Paul Guilfoyle
Eddie Fox
Jonathan Hale
Detective Edward Cramer
Jack Arnold
Dan Bennett
Cecil Kellaway
Reginald Roland
Janet Dempsey
Jane Thompson
Hamilton Macfadden
Reverend Summers
Byron Foulger
A cripple
Barry Macollum
Preacher
Helen Jerome Eddy
Mrs. Thompson
Crew
James Anderson
Assistant Director
Lew Brown
Composer
Albert D'agostino
Art Director Associate
Saul Elkins
Story and Adapted
Samuel Fain
Composer
B. P. Fineman
Producer
Lee Marcus
Prod Executive
Desmond Marquette
Editing
Hugh Mcdowell Jr.
Recording
Nicholas Musuraca
Photography
Jo Pagano
Screenwriter
Van Nest Polglase
Art Director
Renié
Gowns
Frank Tours
Music Director
Film Details
Also Known As
Miracle Racket, Sing, Sister
Genre
Drama
Comedy
Religion
Release Date
Oct
28,
1938
Premiere Information
not available
Production Company
RKO Radio Pictures, Inc.
Distribution Company
RKO Radio Pictures, Inc.
Country
United States
Technical Specs
Duration
1h 7m
Sound
Mono (RCA Victor System)
Color
Black and White
Theatrical Aspect Ratio
1.37 : 1
Film Length
6,106ft
Articles
Tarnished Angel
A phony evangelist finds religion herself when her powers actually heal someone.
Tarnished Angel
A phony evangelist finds religion herself when her powers actually heal someone.
Quotes
Trivia
The costumes resembled those worn by Aimee Semple McPherson, a well-known evangelist at the time.
Notes
The working titles of this film were Sing, Sister and Miracle Racket. A July 1938 Hollywood Reporter news item announced that Mitzi Green was to be Sally Eilers' co-star. The film features a tap dancing number performed by Ann Miller. Costumes worn by Eilers resemble those worn by evangelist Aimee Semple McPherson, who was a widely known religious figure at the time.
