The Sin of Nora Moran (1933)

The Sin of Nora Moran: Directed by Phil Goldstone. With Zita Johann, John Miljan, Alan Dinehart, Paul Cavanagh. Nora Moran, a young woman with a difficult and tragic past, is sentenced to die for a murder that she did not commit. She could easily reveal the truth and save her own life, if only it would not damage the lives, careers and reputations of those who she loves.

“Two viewings, the first on 9/3/2018 at the suggestion of YouTube. The initial experience was such that I revisited the film on the tenth. u0026quot;The Sin of Nora Moranu0026quot; is one of those not-quite-of-its time (or place) movies, with its use of layered flashbacks, contrasting first person narratives, and use of fantasy. In a little over an hour the movie delivers the narrative fullness expected from a much longer work. The contrasting stories, told in Rashomon-like fashion, deepen the reality of a paradoxically realistic (melo-)drama. A major artistic work, with techniques to be seen in u0026quot;Citizen Kaneu0026quot; (1941), u0026quot;Wild Strawberriesu0026quot; (1957) and even u0026quot;Zentropau0026quot; (1991 – e.g., the two-scene featuring what appears to be a projected head of the heroine conversing with her governor-paramour). nApparently the film fared poorly with audiences at the time of its release. While its reputation has grown over the years, I must confess I had never heard of it before YouTube suggested it, and Iu0026#39;ll guess that it remains unjustly obscure. If the film were from Europe it would probably be better regarded today, perhaps belonging on a double bill with Joe Mayu0026#39;s u0026quot;Asphaltu0026quot; (1929).nThis was one of many important cinematic discoveries Iu0026#39;ve made in the last few years on YouTube. I may see this again.”