Helen Hayes pulled out all the stops in this 1932 tear-jerker and was awarded with her first Oscar.
To say that she was a woman down on her luck is to put it mildly. Abandoned by the father of the illegitimate child she had, she takes up with a wealthy man only to discover that he is a crook and she is jailed for abetting in his thievery, though she knew nothing about it.
Upon being released from prison, she realizes that if it is discovered that she is the mother of her son, his life shall be adversely affected-status wise. Therefore, she resorts to prostitution and thievery to gain the necessary money needed to put him through medical school. At all times, he believes his mother is dead.
Her meeting with him years later, as a broken down hag, is poignant and heart wrenching.
The emotions that she showed were amazing.
To say that she was a woman down on her luck is to put it mildly. Abandoned by the father of the illegitimate child she had, she takes up with a wealthy man only to discover that he is a crook and she is jailed for abetting in his thievery, though she knew nothing about it.
Upon being released from prison, she realizes that if it is discovered that she is the mother of her son, his life shall be adversely affected-status wise. Therefore, she resorts to prostitution and thievery to gain the necessary money needed to put him through medical school. At all times, he believes his mother is dead.
Her meeting with him years later, as a broken down hag, is poignant and heart wrenching.
The emotions that she showed were amazing.