Movies often visit the theme of a mother's love, but few match the poignancy and power of The Sin of Madelon Claudet. Renowned "First Lady of the American Theatre" Helen Hayes makes her Hollywood debut a most memorable one, winning the Best Actress Academy Award (1930-31) for her portrayal of an abandoned young mother whose devotion to her child and desperate sacrifices to provide for him lead her into harlotry. Hayes's husband Charles MacArthur (The Front Page) provides the screen adaptation of this sympathetic tale of a woman whose only sin was loving too much. Nearly four decades later, Hayes would claim Oscar gold again for her Best Supporting Actress performance in Airport (1970).

Helen Hayes gives an outstanding performance as a small-time Parisian thief who claws her way into society to provide for her illegitimate son, only to come crashing back down. AKA: "The Lullaby." Academy Awards: Best Actress--Helen Hayes.