A Free Soul, 1931

This film made Gable a true star. Although playing an unsympathetic character, it became evident in the love scenes with Shearer, that he had what it takes to carry a film.

The story is about a father, Stephen Ashe and his daughter, Jan who are upperclass socialites. Stephen, a defense attourney, defends local mobster Ace Wilfong, played by Gable, in a murder case. Ashe's daughter Jan, played by Norma Shearer, is intrigued by Wilfong when she meets him. Excited by his wild lifestyle, Jan begins an affair with him, to her father's dismay. Stephen Ashe, an alcoholic asks Jan to stop seeing him. Although she is enamored by Wilfong, Jan decides to make a pact with her father, if he stops drinking she will stop seeing Wilfong. They go away to the country for a month and her father is doing much better. Unfortunately, as soon as he gets back to the first sign of civilization he goes on a binge and dissappears. By now Jan is no longer interested in Wilfong since she sees him for what he is and finds that the liason is not easily severed when she wants out. Dwight Winthrop, her former fiance, played by Leslie Howard, is still in love with her and decides to take matters into his own hands by killing Wilfong. Stephen Ashe returns to defend Winthrop and delivers an impassioned defense speech to the jury that is truly worth seeing.

The cast includes:

• Norma Shearer .... Jan Ashe
• Leslie Howard .... Dwight Winthrop, Jan's Fiancee
• Lionel Barrymore .... Stephen Ashe, Defense Attorney
• James Gleason .... Eddie, Stephen's Assistant
• Clark Gable .... Ace Wilfong, Gangster Defendant
• Lucy Beaumont .... Grandma Ashe

Other highlighted Gable Films

• The Misfits
• Mogambo
• San Francisco
• A Free Soul
• Mutiny On The Bounty
• The Call Of The Wild
• Gone With The Wind
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