The subject matter of Johnny Belinda was considered quite controversial at the time because under the Hays Code rape was not allowed to be depicted in movies. Johnny Belinda was the first film for which this restriction was waived. Jane Wyman, who won an Oscar for her performance, learned sign language for the role and insisted on performing with her ears blocked in order to give a realistic portrayal of deafness.
In the scene below, Belinda is praying after the death (murder) of her father.