Handsome Ramon Novarro and beautiful Madge Evans play a pair of unlikely star-crossed lovers in old India, in this pleasant MGM sleeper-romance, Son of India (1931).
Madge plays a progressive American girl visiting India with her aunt as chaperon. She slowly falls for Ramon's character, an Indian prince, trained by his father to be a jewel connoisseur and merchant.
Conrad Nagel plays Madge's American brother, who befriends the Indian prince and helps him out of a jam, thereby turning his life around and guaranteeing him his fortune.
Although there is genuine fondness between the brother and the prince, problems arise when the young couple decide they are both in love with one another and want to get married. The old Indian caste system threatens to intervene and separate the young couple. Will the races mix and love conquer all, or will old world tradition rule the day through the caste system, and send the American girl back home? This is a not to be missed treat for the Ramon Novarro fan. I also enjoyed Madge Evans' performance quite a bit; usually she was in secondary supporting roles, but here she finally has a romantic part she can really sink her teeth into. I liked her chemistry with Ramon.
Shown occasionally on TCM and worth the wait. Recommended. 9 out of 10.