The film ranked as ninth best picture in 1935 by the annual Film Daily poll of critics. According to the Guinness Book of World Records (2002), the movie holds the record for the longest take in a commercial film. It contains a 14-minute uninterrupted monologue by Lionel Barrymore. Since a reel of camera film only lasts 10 minutes, it was achieved by using more than one camera.
Willard Mack's play, based on Adela Rogers St. Johns's novel, opened on Broadway in New York City, New York, USA on 12 January 1928 and closed in April 1928 after 100 performances. The opening night cast included Melvyn Douglas as Ace Wilfong and Kay Johnson as Jan Ashe.
When the final version of the movie went before Hollywood censors, they demanded that MGM cut the scene where Norma Shearer lays on the bed and suggestively asks Clark Gable to put his arms around her. The studio ignored the demand and released the film uncut.
In the outdoor location sequence where the donkey chases James Gleason, the actor, not a stuntman, is clearly knocked down by the animal, a scene which clearly wasn't planned as Norma Shearer's reaction attests.
Cast of A Free Soul
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
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