The White Sister

The opening sequence of The White Sister is worth watching, if only to appreciate the filmmaking technology in 1933. There's a crowded, joyous festival in the town square, and it's filmed with inventive camera angles and movements that make you think you're watching a movie ten years ahead of its time. I wasn't the biggest fan of the romance, but the beginning was very entertaining.

Onto the plot: Helen Hayes is engaged to a man she doesn't love. Her father, Prince Lewis Stone-it seems like he's always playing her father, doesn't it?-approves of the match, but she longs for adventure and excitement. She's drawn to the boisterous festival, and during the commotion, she catches a glimpse of Clark Gable and immediately falls in love. They start meeting in secret until she gets bold enough to tell her father she wants to call off her engagement. How does Lew react? If you've seen his movies, you know he often doesn't make it to the end, and this one's no exception. Just as in Vanessa, Her Love Story, he dies, and Helen puts her grief ahead of her romantic feelings. There's a lot more drama included in this movie-it is a Helen Hayes picture after all-so if you like her, you might want to check this out. I liked Vanessa better, but you can rent both and see which one you prefer. In The White Sister, I never felt she loved Clark Gable enough to do what she does later on in the movie. No spoilers; if you're intrigued, rent it!

Uggh! Apart from the wonderful acting of Helen Hayes and Clark Gable, this is a very silly and forgettable romance. Clark plays a young soldier than falls for a princess. They know that their love is doomed due to the difference in their social status, but despite everything their love seems unavoidable. Later, when she thinks Gable dies, she drops everything to become a,....NUN!!! Then, when Gable returns it is too late,...she's married to God and cannot renounce her vows (though exactly WHY I couldn't figure out). If you haven't guessed, the plot just seems really hokey and silly. And, unfortunately, it is just that and nothing more. I only recommend it for fans of Hollywood's Golden Age and Clark Gable. All others, I'm afraid, will see it and be turned off older movies and that would be a shame.

By the way, this is a remake of a silent film which starred Lillian Gish and Ronald Coleman. In many ways, the film was better than this 1933 remake and the old fashioned plot seems more suited for a silent.

I guess if you are someone who really gets off on crying at the movies then you'll enjoy this outpouring of sentimental slop. But for the vast legions of the relatively dry (and clear) eyed it's fairly insufferable stuff. Plus, it features one of my all time least favorite actresses in the lead. I realize that Ms. Hayes is considered a brilliant theatre thesp, and maybe she was, but to watch her in sound films is to watch someone who might as well have a bumper sticker on her limo that reads "I'd rather Be Doing Silent Pics". I guess if I had a voice that sounds like Gracie Allen I'd feel the same way. Add complete and utter lack of chem between her and Gable and you can see how this movie quickly descends into boredom and is only briefly lifted out of the ennui pit by some good aerial battle action that, alas, is too little and way too late. C minus.

PS...Hayes, Gable and Lewis Stone are about as Italian as the 4th of July in Indianapolis.

You could say this is a sappy romantic picture, but it rises above that. I only know Helen Hayes from her later works on Broadway and contributions to smaller supporting roles. She has a theatre named after her on Broadway. So, it was a pleasure getting to see her talents in this film. Helen Hayes takes us on a journey from naïve girl to a full fleshed out mature woman torn with emotions.

Clark Gable is charming as her romantic leading man. You can easily see why she fell under his spell. Gable knows he has a tough role that other actors would have been annoying in, but Gable makes it his own and adds the boyish charm that brings it all together.

Obviously the title comes from Hayes' choice to become a nun and devote her life to God when she hears Gable has died in the war. After loving Gable, the only next best thing is God.

Lewis Stone is great as her over bearing father. May Robson has a small role and yet she garnered a high billing. This is a remake of the silent film from 1923 starring Lillian Gish that I also strongly recommended.

If you know Helen Hayes' works, you will love seeing her in this film. If you don't know Helen Hayes' work, you will fall for her in this film.

She, and the film, are true classics!

This is my all-time favorite film. A lovely romantic love story with Helen Hayes & Clark Gable. It is not on video so, your only chance to see it is if you get TCM (Turner Classic Movies). They sometimes air it. If it is on...be sure to catch it!