The Flame Within is a 1935 American drama film written and directed by Edmund Goulding. The film stars Ann Harding, Herbert Marshall, Maureen O'Sullivan, Louis Hayward, Henry Stephenson and Margaret Seddon. The film was released on May 17, 1935, by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer.

Plot

Lillian Belton (Maureen O'Sullivan), unsuccessfully attempts suicide by taking pills, and she is referred to a psychiatrist for therapy. While at the psychiatrist's, Lillian tries to jump out the window, and she is only saved by the psychiatrist, Dr. Mary White (Ann Harding), stopping her. Dr. White learns that Lillian's troubles are connected to Jack Kerry (Louis Hayward), whom she contacted just before her attempt at the psychiatrist's office. Lillian loves Jack, but he is an alcoholic and does not love Lillian the way she loves him. Dr. White contacts Jack, and persuades him to seek treatment for his alcoholism. As Jack completes his treatment, he falls in love with Dr. White, but she reminds Jack of Lillian's need for him, and Jack and Lillian marry. Lillian's physician, Dr. Gordon Phillips (Herbert Marshall), is also in love with Dr. White, but cannot convince her to leave her patients and her practice and place herself under his control. Dr. White encounters Lillian and Jack at a costume ball, and Jack manages to get a dance with Dr. White, as a suspicious Lillian looks on. Jack confesses his love for Dr. White, but she again reminds him of his marriage and commitment to Lillian. An enraged Lillian creates a scene with Dr. White, who uses this experience as a parallel of her and Dr. Phillips’ relationship. In the end, she tells Drs. Philips and Frasier “I'm not going on with the work.” “What are you going to do?” Philips asks. “You tell me,” she replies, laying her head on his shoulder.