A wealthy Indian jewel merchant and an American woman fall in love, only for her family to stand in their way of getting married.A wealthy Indian jewel merchant and an American woman fall in love, only for her family to stand in their way of getting married.A wealthy Indian jewel merchant and an American woman fall in love, only for her family to stand in their way of getting married.
- Rao Rama
- (as Nigel deBrulier)
- Janice's Admirer
- (uncredited)
- Amah - Karim's Servant
- (uncredited)
- Village Dancer
- (uncredited)
- Beggar
- (uncredited)
- Jeweler
- (uncredited)
- Guard
- (uncredited)
- Maitre d'
- (uncredited)
- Bandit with Juggat
- (uncredited)
- Tour Guide
- (uncredited)
- Polo Club President
- (uncredited)
Storyline
Did you know
- TriviaRay Milland is in studio records/casting call lists for the role of "Captain," but he is not identifiable in the movie. The reason is that he was fired by director Jacques Feyder who judged him incompetent to play the part of a young Indian army officer.
- Quotes
Karim: Miss Darsay, something has happened. Something very distressing.
Janice Darsey: What?
Karim: I can hardly bear to tell you. A baby scandal.
Janice Darsey: Tell me!
Karim: Come with me.
[They walk toward some caged tigers]
Janice Darsey: Well, what is it?
Karim: Be patient. Behold the bride!
[Pointing at a female tiger with a cub]
Karim: She'll have to do some tall explaining.
Janice Darsey: [Referring to the male tiger] Perhaps he's not very good at arithmetic!
- ConnectionsAlternate-language version of Le fils du rajah (1931)
Karim (Novarro) is the diamond obsessed son of a merchant making his way through some lawless terrain of India where he is befriended by a holy man that saves him from a bandit massacre in which he is the only survivor. Reduced to poverty the rag attired Karim attempts to sell the most precious diamond of his fathers collection but is in turn accused of stealing it from an unscrupulous Indian jewelry dealer. A visiting American (Conrad Nagel) saves Karim from prison and gets his diamond back. Karim then enters into a passionate affair with his sister Janice though he is unaware they are related. Janice's aunt is aghast at this blatant act of miscegenation involving the family name and takes steps to prevent it.
Son of India may have had a decent chance in dealing with a social taboo in the same exotically sensual way Frank Capra does in The Bitter Tea of General Yen with a different and more natural lead. Novarro's wooden style is further inhibited by the fact his character has a spoiled surly immature side to him that would make Sabu look like an intellectual. Madge Evans as Janice is feisty and natural as an innocent abroad and holds up her end of the bargain in spite of Ramon. Marjorie Rambeau as a microcosm of "proper" American society gets her racist message across with wide eyed disapproval and inflective disdain.
Cedric Gibbons and staff provide the usual lush and exotic sets while Harold Rosson's camera records some beautifully lit compositions and portraits of minor characters but with Novarro at the center of this weepie no amount of flawless make-up can make up for such a flawed performance.
- st-shot
- Aug 7, 2010
Details
Box office
- Budget
- $503,000 (estimated)
- Runtime1 hour 13 minutes
- Color
- Aspect ratio
- 1.20 : 1