Sarah and Son | 1930 | Drama

Title: Sarah and Son | 1930 | Drama Director: Dorothy Arzner Studio: Paramount Pictures Starring: Ruth Chatterton, Fredric March, Gilbert Emery, Doris Lloyd, Fuller Mellish Jr., William Stack, Philippe De Lacy Based on: Novel *Sarah and Son* by Timothy Shea Release Date: March 14 1930 Runtime: 86 minutes Format: Black and white with sound Country: United States Language: English Genres: Drama Romance --- Chapters: 00:00:00 Sarah and Jim’s vaudeville beginnings 00:10:00 Husband’s failure and baby’s disappearance 00:20:00 Jim’s confession and Sarah’s struggle 00:30:00 Sarah’s opera success abroad 00:40:00 Return and pursuit of her son 00:50:00 Identity challenges and deception 01:00:00 Reunion and resolution --- Summary: Sarah and Son is a 1930 American pre-Code drama about Sarah Storm, an Austrian immigrant whose vaudeville partnership with her husband Jim collapses as he proves irresponsible and ultimately disappears with their young son, selling him to a wealthy family. Heartbroken and determined, Sarah rebuilds her life, becoming an internationally successful opera singer and devoting every resource to finding her son. When she returns to New York years later, she faces resistance from his adoptive parents and convoluted identity challenges before a climactic reunion brings emotional closure and a chance at family reconciliation. The narrative explores themes of maternal devotion, social barriers, personal resilience, and the tension between wealth and family bonds as Sarah pursues justice and connection across class divides and time. --- Background: Directed by Dorothy Arzner with a screenplay by Zoë Akins adapted from Timothy Shea’s novel, Sarah and Son was produced and released by Paramount Pictures in early 1930. It stands as a notable example of early sound drama and marked a breakthrough role for Ruth Chatterton, whose performance earned an Academy Award nomination for Best Actress. --- Trivia: Ruth Chatterton received an Academy Award nomination for Best Actress for her portrayal of Sarah. The film was released internationally under alternate titles such as *Cradle Song* and in various language versions, including *Sarah i syn*. The story spans pre-World War I to the later 1920s, blending melodrama with early sound era storytelling. Prints of the film survive in archives and are occasionally screened at classic film venues. --- Public Domain / Rights: Original Release: March 14 1930 Original Studio / Distributor: Paramount Pictures Copyright Status: Public Domain Renewal: Not applicable --- Hashtags: #SarahAndSon1930 #DorothyArzner #RuthChatterton #FredricMarch #ParamountPictures #PreCodeDrama #PublicDomain