John Ford Sound Films, Part 1: 1928-1934
Napoleon’s Barber through Judge Priest

The following is a list of John Ford sound films.  These film pages are taken from Wikipedia entries (with some minor editing).  I will be adding bibliographic material and John Ford film stills from my personal collection to add to these pages.  Also, I will be adding bibliographic material and references from noted writers.

Return to John Ford Table of Contents

Napoleon's Barber (1928)

Directed by

John Ford

Written by

Arthur Caesar

Starring

Otto Matieson
Natalie Golitzen

Distributed by

Fox Film

Release date

November 24, 1928

Running time

32 minutes

Country

United States

Language

English

Napoleon's Barber is a 1928 American featurette drama film directed by John Ford, and filmed in the Fox Movietone sound-on-film system. The film, Ford's first talkie, is now considered to be a lost film.[1]

Cast

·       Otto Matieson as Napoleon

·       Natalie Golitzen as Empress Josephine

·       Frank Reicher as Napoleon's Barber

·       Helen Ware as The Barber's Wife

·       Philippe De Lacy as The Barber's Son

·       D'Arcy Corrigan as Tailor

·       Russ Powell as Blacksmith

·       Michael Mark as Peasant

·       Buddy Roosevelt as French Officer

·       Ervin Renard as French Officer

·       Youcca Troubetzkoy as French Officer

·       Joseph Waddell as French Officer

·       Henry Hebert as Soldier

References

1.        "Progressive Silent Film List: Napoleon's Barber". Silent Era.

Riley the Cop (1928)

Directed by

John Ford (uncredited)

Produced by

John Ford

Written by

Fred Stanley
James Gruen

Starring

J. Farrell MacDonald
Nancy Drexel

Cinematography

Charles G. Clarke

Edited by

Alex Troffey

Distributed by

Fox Film Corporation

Release date

November 25, 1928

Running time

68 minutes

Country

United States

Languages

Silent
English intertitles

Riley the Cop is a 1928 American comedy film directed by John Ford. It was a silent film with a synchronized music track and sound effects.[1]

Cast

·       J. Farrell MacDonald as James "Aloysius" Riley (as Farrell Macdonald)

·       Nancy Drexel as Mary Coronelli

·       David Rollins as David "Davy" Collins

·       Louise Fazenda as Lena Krausmeyer

·       Billy Bevan as Paris Cabman (uncredited)

·       Mildred Boyd as Caroline (uncredited)

·       Mike Donlin as Crook (uncredited)

·       Otto Fries as Munich Cabman (uncredited)

·       Dell Henderson as Judge Coronelli (uncredited)

·       Isabelle Keith as French Woman on Pier (uncredited)

·       Robert Parrish as Boy (uncredited)

·       Russ Powell as Mr. Kuchendorf (uncredited)

·       Harry Schultz as Hans "Eitel" Krausmeyer (uncredited)

·       Ferdinand SchumannasHeink as Julius Kuchendorf (uncredited)

·       Rolfe Sedan as French Restaurant Patron (uncredited)

·       Harry Semels as French Policeman (uncredited)

·       Tom Wilson as Sergeant (uncredited)

References

1.       "Progressive Silent Film List: Riley the Cop". Silent Era.

Strong Boy (1929)

Directed by

John Ford

Written by

Andrew Bennison
James Kevin McGuinness
John McLain
Malcolm Stuart Boylan (titles)

Story by

Frederick Hazlitt Brennan

Starring

Victor McLaglen
Leatrice Joy

Cinematography

Joseph H. August

Distributed by

Fox Film Corporation

Release date

March 3, 1929

Running time

62 minutes

Country

United States

Language

Silent (English intertitles)

Strong Boy is a 1929 American silent comedy film directed by John Ford which had a synchronized music track. The film, which was Ford's last silent film, is now considered to be lost.[1] A trailer for the film was discovered in the New Zealand Film Archive in 2010 and subsequently preserved by the Academy Film Archive the same year.[2][3]

Cast

·       Victor McLaglen as Strong Boy

·       Leatrice Joy as Mary McGregor

·       J. Farrell MacDonald as Angus McGregor

·       Clyde Cook as Pete

·       Buddy Roosevelt as Wilbur Watkins (credited as Kent Sanderson)

·       Douglas Scott as Wobby

·       Slim Summerville as Slim

·       Tom Wilson as Baggage master

·       Eulalie Jensen as Queen of Lisonia

·       David Torrence as Railroad president

·       Dolores Johnson as Prima donna

·       Robert Ryan as Baggage man

·       Jack Pennick as Baggage man

References

1.        "Progressive Silent Film List: Strong Boy". silentera.com.

2.       "New Zealand Project Films: Highlights". filmpreservation.org.

3.       "Preserved Projects". Academy Film Archive.

The Black Watch (1929)

Directed by

John Ford

Produced by

Winfield R. Sheehan

Written by

James Kevin McGuinness

John Stone

Based on

King of the Khyber Rifles (novel) by Talbot Mundy

Starring

Victor McLaglen

Myrna Loy

David Torrence

Music by

William Kernell

Cinematography

Joseph H. August

Edited by

Alex Troffey

Production company

Fox Film Corporation

Distributed by

Fox Film Corporation

Release date

May 8, 1929 (US)

Running time

93 minutes

Country

United States

Language

English

The Black Watch is a 1929 American Pre-Code adventure epic film directed by John Ford and starring Victor McLaglen, Myrna Loy, and David Torrence. Written by James Kevin McGuinness based on the 1916 novel King of the Khyber Rifles by Talbot Mundy, the film is about a captain in the British Army's Black Watch regiment assigned to a secret mission in India just as his company is called to France at the outbreak of war. His covert assignment results in his being considered a coward by his fellows, a suspicion confirmed when he becomes involved in a drunken brawl in India that results in the death of another officer. The film features an uncredited 21-year-old John Wayne working as an extra; he also worked in the arts and costume department for the film.[1] This was John Ford's first sound film he directed.

Cast

·       Victor McLaglen as Capt. Donald Gordon King

·       Myrna Loy as Yasmani

·       David Torrence as Field Marshal

·       David Rollins as Lt. Malcolm King

·       Cyril Chadwick as Maj. Twynes

·       Lumsden Hare as Colonel of the Black Watch

·       Roy D'Arcy as Rewa Ghunga

·       David Percy as Soloist, Black Watch Officer

·       Mitchell Lewis as Mohammed Khan

·       Claude King as General in India

·       Walter Long as Harrim Bey

·       Francis Ford as Major MacGregor

·       Frederick Sullivan as General's Aide

·       Richard Travers as Adjutant

·       Pat Somerset as O'Connor, Black Watch Officer

·       Joseph Diskay as Muezzin

·       Joyzelle Joyner as Dancer

·       Gregory Gaye as a 42nd Highlander (uncredited)

·       Mary Gordon as Sandy's Wife (uncredited)

·       Bob Kortman as a 42nd Highlander (uncredited)

·       Tom London as a 42nd Highlander (uncredited)

·       Jack Pennick as a 42nd Highlander (uncredited)

·       Randolph Scott as a 42nd Highlander (uncredited)

·       Phillips Smalley as the Doctor (uncredited)

·       Lupita Tovar in a Bit Part (uncredited)

·       John Wayne as a 42nd Highlander (uncredited)[2]

Salute (1929)

Directed by

David Butler
John Ford

Produced by

John Ford

Written by

James Kevin McGuinness

Starring

George O'Brien
Helen Chandler
Stepin Fetchit

Cinematography

Joseph H. August

Edited by

Alex Troffey

Distributed by

Fox Film Corporation

Release date

September 1, 1929

Running time

84 minutes

Country

United States

Language

English

Salute is a 1929 motion picture directed by John Ford and starring George O'Brien, Helen Chandler, William Janney, Stepin Fetchit, and Frank Albertson. It is about the football rivalry of the Army–Navy Game, and two brothers, played by O'Brien and Janney, one of West Point, the other of Annapolis. John Wayne had an uncredited role in the film, as one of three midshipmen who perform a mild hazing.

The film was partly filmed on location at the Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland.

Cast

·       George O'Brien as Cadet John Randall

·       Helen Chandler as Nancy Wayne

·       William Janney as Midshipman Paul Randall

·       Stepin Fetchit as Smoke Screen

·       Frank Albertson as Midshipman Albert Edward Price

·       Ward Bond as Midshipman Harold

·       John Wayne as (uncredited) Midshipman Bill

·       Joyce Compton as Marian Wilson

Men Without Women (1930)

Directed by

John Ford

Produced by

John Ford

Screenplay by

Dudley Nichols

Story by

John Ford
James Kevin McGuinness

Starring

Frank Albertson

Music by

Carli Elinor

Cinematography

Joseph H. August

Edited by

Walter Thompson

Distributed by

Fox Film Corporation

Release date

January 31, 1930

Running time

77 minutes

Country

United States

Language

English

Men Without Women is an American 1930 pre-Code drama film directed and written by John Ford, from the script by James Kevin McGuinness. The film also starred Kenneth MacKenna, Frank Albertson, and J. Farrell MacDonald. The sound version is now lost. Only a print of the "International Sound Version", held by the Museum of Modern Art, survives.[1]

Cast

·       Kenneth MacKenna as Chief Torpedoman Burke

·       Frank Albertson as Ensign Albert Edward Price

·       J. Farrell MacDonald as Costello

·       Warren Hymer as Kaufman

·       Paul Page as Handsome

·       Walter McGrail as Joe Cobb

·       Stuart Erwin as Radioman Jenkins

·       George Le Guere as Curly Pollock

·       Charles K. Gerrard as Commander Weymouth

·       Harry Tenbrook as Dutch Winkler

·       Warner Richmond as Lieutenant Commander Briddwell

·       John Wayne Radioman on surface (uncredited)

Release

The film premiered on January 31, 1930, in New York City. The production was filmed on Santa Catalina Island, California, and was released by the Fox Film Corporation.

Born Reckless (1930)

Directed by

John Ford

Produced by

James Kevin McGuinness

Written by

Dudley Nichols
Donald Henderson Clarke (novel)

Starring

Edmund Lowe
Catherine Dale Owen

Music by

Peter Brunelli
George Lipschultz

Cinematography

George Schneiderman

Edited by

Frank E. Hull

Distributed by

Fox Film Corporation

Release date

May 11, 1930

Running time

82 minutes

Country

United States

Language

English

Born Reckless is a 1930 American pre-Code crime film directed by John Ford and staged by Andrew Bennison[1] from a screenplay written by Dudley Nichols based on the novel Louis Beretti.[2] The film starred Edmund Lowe and Catherine Dale Owen.[2]

Plot

A gangster, Louis Beretti, gets caught involved in a jewelry heist and taken to see the judge. The war has begun and hoping to use the publicity to get re-elected, the judge offers Louis and his two buddies, the choice of going to jail, or signing up to fight in the war - if they prove themselves, he will throw away their arrests.

Louis makes it home from the war (one of his buddies was killed), and opens up a night club downtown that becomes very successful. His employees are former members of his gang, and he maintains contact with "Big", still a gangster.

Louis falls for the sister of his buddy who was killed in the war, but she already has plans to marry. He tells her nevertheless, that if she ever needs him, she should call and he will come. When her baby is kidnapped (her husband is away), she does call for Louis and he realizes that the kidnapping has been done by "Big" and the gang. Louis goes to save the baby and confront those of the gang who have taken part in the kidnapping. Shots are exchanged.

After he returns the baby to his mother, Louis goes back to his nightclub where "Big" is waiting. They talk of old times though they realize they will need to shoot it out, which they do...

Cast

·       Edmund Lowe as Louis Beretti

·       Catherine Dale Owen as Joan Sheldon

·       Frank Albertson as Frank Sheldon

·       Marguerite Churchill as Rosa Beretti

·       William Harrigan as Good News Brophy

·       Lee Tracy as Bill O'Brien

·       Warren Hymer as Big Shot

·       Ilka Chase as High Society Customer at Beretti's

·       Ferike Boros as Ma Beretti

·       Paul Porcasi as Pa Beretti

·       Ben Bard as Joe Bergman

·       Eddie Gribbon as Bugs

·       Mike Donlin as Fingy Moscovitz

·       Paul Page as Ritzy Reilly

·       Roy Stewart as District Attorney Cardigan

·       Jack Pennick as Sergeant

·       Ward Bond as Sergeant

·       Yola d'Avril as French Girl

·       Randolph Scott as Dick Milburn

·       John Wayne as Soldier (uncredited)

·       Pat Somerset as Duke

References

1.        Bogdanovich, Peter (1967). John Ford. University of California Press.

2.       Hall, Mordaunt (June 7, 1930). "THE SCREEN; The Missing Witness". The New York Times.

Up the River (1930)

Directed by

John Ford

Produced by

William Fox

Written by

Maurine Dallas Watkins

Starring

Spencer Tracy
Humphrey Bogart

Music by

James F. Hanley
Joseph McCarthy

Cinematography

Joseph H. August

Edited by

Frank E. Hull

Distributed by

Fox Film Corporation

Release date

October 12, 1930

Running time

92 minutes

Country

United States

Language

English

Up the River is a 1930 American pre-Code comedy film directed by John Ford and starring Spencer Tracy and Humphrey Bogart. The plot concerns escaped convicts. The picture is notable for the feature film debuts of both Tracy and Bogart. Despite Bogart being billed fourth (under top-billed Tracy, Claire Luce and Warren Hymer), Tracy's and Bogart's roles were almost equally large, and this is the only movie in which they both appeared. Up the River is also Bogart's only film directed by John Ford. Bogart's image is also featured on some of the film's posters rather than Tracy's since Bogart was the romantic lead with Claire Luce. Fox remade the film in 1938 starring Preston Foster and Tony Martin playing Tracy's and Bogart's roles.

Plot

Two convicts, St. Louis (Spencer Tracy) and Dannemora Dan (Warren Hymer) befriend another convict named Steve (Humphrey Bogart), who is in love with woman's-prison inmate Judy (Claire Luce). Steve is paroled, promising Judy that he will wait for her release five months later. He returns to his hometown in New England and his mother's home.

However, he is followed there by Judy's former "employer", the scam artist Frosby (Gaylord Pendleton). Frosby threatens to expose Steve's prison record if the latter refuses to go along with a scheme to defraud his neighbors. Steve goes along with it until Frosby defrauds his mother. At this moment St. Louis and Dannemora Dan break out of prison and come to Steve's aid, taking away a gun he planned to use on the fraudster, instead stealing back bonds stolen by Frosby. They return to prison in time for its annual baseball game against a rival penitentiary. The film closes with St. Louis on the pitcher's mound with his catcher, Dannemora Dan, presumably ready to lead their team to victory.[1][2]

Cast

·       Spencer Tracy as Saint Louis

·       Claire Luce as Judy Fields

·       Warren Hymer as Dannemora Dan

·       Humphrey Bogart as Steve Jordan

·       Morgan Wallace as Frosby

·       William Collier, Sr. as Pop

·       Joan Lawes as Jean

Production

Tracy had previously starred in two Warner Bros. shorts earlier the same year and Bogart had been an unbilled extra in a silent film, as well as starring in two shorts. Up the River is the first credited feature film for both actors, and is the only film that Tracy and Bogart ever appeared in together. Both had been cast in The Desperate Hours in 1955, but neither would consent to second billing, so the role intended for Tracy went to Fredric March instead. Bogart is listed fourth after top-billed Tracy in Up the River, but his role is equally large and his likeness is featured prominently on posters that did not include Tracy's image. This is the only film Bogart made with director John Ford. Nearly three decades later, Ford directed Tracy again in The Last Hurrah (1958).

After Up the River, Fox gave Spencer Tracy a contract as a leading man for the studio. Although Tracy's Fox films are highly regarded and considered classics ninety years later, very few made money when initially released so Tracy was eventually fired by Fox, then quickly snapped up by producer Irving Thalberg at Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, where he became an extremely successful star.

References

1.        Up the River at TCM Movie Database

2.       Hall, Mordaunt (2008). "Movies: About Up the River". Movies & TV Dept. 

Bibliography

·       New England Vintage Film Society, Inc. (2008). Spencer Tracy: The Pre-Code Legacy of a Hollywood Legend. Newton, MA: New England Vintage Film Society. 

Seas Beneath (1931)

Directed by

John Ford

Produced by

John Ford

Written by

Dudley Nichols
William Collier Sr.
Curt Furburg
James Parker Jr.

Starring

George O'Brien
Marion Lessing

Music by

Peter Brunelli

Cinematography

Joseph H. August

Edited by

Frank E. Hull

Production company

Fox Film Corporation

Distributed by

Fox Film Corporation

Release date

March 29, 1931

Running time

90 minutes

Country

United States

Language

English

Seas Beneath is a 1931 American Pre-Code action film directed by John Ford and starring George O'Brien and Marion Lessing.[1]

In the book, John Ford by Peter Bogdanovich, Ford was interviewed about his memories of directing the film, and he had the following to say about the experience, expressing his annoyance at Lessing being hired as a leading actress:

That was a war story about a Q ship - some good stuff in it - but at the last moment, the head of the studio put a girl who'd never acted before in as the lead because he thought she spoke a few words of German - which she didn't. We had a scene, I remember, in which the German submarine slips up alongside another submarine to refuel, and this girl comes out onto the bridge chewing gum! Right in the camera. So we had to go to all the trouble of doing it all over again. She just couldn't act. But we did all the refueling at sea. That stuff was good and so was the battle stuff, but the story was bad; it was just a lot of hard work; and you couldn't do anything with that girl. Then later they cut the hell out of it.[2]

Cast

·       George O'Brien as Cmdr. Robert "Bob" Kingsley

·       Marion Lessing as Anna Marie Von Steuben

·       Mona Maris as Fraulein Lolita

·       Walter C. Kelly as Chief Mike "Guns" Costello

·       Warren Hymer as "Lug" Kaufman

·       Steve Pendleton as Ens. Richard "Dick" Cabot

·       Walter McGrail as Chief Joe Cobb

·       Larry Kent as Lt. "Mac" McGregor

·       Henry Victor as Baron Ernst von Steuben

·       John Loder as Franz Shiller

·       Maurice Murphy as Merkel (uncredited)

·       Harry Tenbrook as Winkler (uncredited)

References

1.        The AFI Catalog of Feature Films:Seas Beneath

2.       Bogdanovich, Peter (1967). John Ford. University of California Press. p. 53.

The Brat (1931)

Directed by

John Ford

Written by

S. N. Behrman
Maude Fulton (uncredited)
Sonya Levien

Based on

The Brat by Maude Fulton

Starring

Sally O'Neil
Alan Dinehart
Virginia Cherrill

Cinematography

Joseph H. August

Edited by

Alex Troffey

Distributed by

Fox Film Corporation

Release date

September 20, 1931

Running time

60 minutes

Country

United States

Language

English

The Brat is a 1931 American Pre-Code comedy film directed by John Ford, starring Sally O'Neil, and featuring Virginia Cherrill. The film is based on the 1917 play by Maude Fulton. A previous silent film had been made in 1919 with Alla Nazimova. This 1931 screen version has been updated to then contemporary standards i.e. clothing, speech, topics in the news.[1]

Plot

A novelist brings a wild chorus girl home, hoping to study her for inspiration for his new novel. His snobby upper-class family is upset by her presence, but soon she has changed their lives forever.

Background

Writer Maude Fulton was an actress as well and starred in the 1917 Broadway premiere of her own play. Two of her co-stars in the play went on to have major film careers, Lewis Stone and Edmund Lowe.[2] The film was restored in DCP form and exhibited at New York City's Museum of Modern Art in November 2016.

Cast

·       Sally O'Neil as the Brat

·       Alan Dinehart as Macmillan Forester

·       Frank Albertson as Stephen Forester

·       William Collier, Sr. as Judge O"Flaherty

·       Virginia Cherrill as Angela

·       June Collyer as Jane

·       J. Farrell MacDonald as Timson, the butler

·       Mary Forbes as Mrs. Forester

·       Albert Gran as Bishop

·       Louise Mackintosh as Lena

·       Margaret Mann as Housekeeper

·       Ward Bond as Court Policeman (uncredited)

·       Mary Gordon as Angry Wife in Night Court (uncredited)

·       George Humbert as Italian Restaurant Owner (uncredited)

·       Cyril McLaglen as Cyril (uncredited)

·       Philip Sleeman as Masher in Night Court (uncredited)

References

1.        The AFI Catalog of Feature Films: The Brat

2.       Pictorial History of the American Theatre 1860-1970 (this edit. c.1970) by Daniel Blum, p. 163

Arrowsmith (1931)

Directed by

John Ford
Brian Desmond Hurst

Produced by

Samuel Goldwyn

Written by

Sidney Howard

Starring

Ronald Colman
Helen Hayes
Richard Bennett
Myrna Loy

Music by

Alfred Newman

Cinematography

Ray June

Edited by

Hugh Bennett

Production company

Samuel Goldwyn Productions

Distributed by

United Artists

Release date

December 26, 1931

Running time

108 minutes

Country

United States

Language

English

Box office

$1.25 million[1]

Arrowsmith is a 1931 American film directed by John Ford and starring Ronald Colman, Helen Hayes, Richard Bennett, and Myrna Loy. It was adapted from Sinclair Lewis's 1925 novel Arrowsmith by Sidney Howard, departing substantially from the book regarding Arrowsmith's womanizing and other key plot elements. The pre-Code film received four Oscar nominations, including the Academy Award for Best Picture, Best Writing, Adaptation (Howard), Best Cinematography (Ray June), and Best Art Direction (Richard Day).

Plot

An idealistic young medical student, Martin Arrowsmith, introduces himself assertively to Dr. Max Gottlieb, a noted bacteriologist. Though Gottlieb deems Arrowsmith not yet ready to study with him, he is impressed by the young man's determination and honest self-appraisal, and encourages him to take the standard course of study first. When Arrowsmith graduates, Gottlieb offers him a position as his research assistant, but the young man reluctantly turns him down, having fallen in love with a nurse, Leora. He would be unable to support her on a research assistant's meager salary. He marries, and the couple sets off for Leora's rural hometown in South Dakota.

Unhappy with the vicissitudes of his medical practice there, he is drawn by a former client across the boundary into veterinary medicine when the man's cows are dying - even faster when given injections by the local state health official. Determined to find a cure of his own, he carries out scientific research in his kitchen, eventually developing a successful serum. Reinvigorated, he decides to abandon his practice and join Gottlieb as a research scientist at the renowned and extremely well-funded McGurk Institute in New York. Meanwhile, Leora miscarries and cannot have any more children, so she devotes herself to her husband's career.

After two fallow years at McGurk, Arrowsmith stumbles onto an antibiotic serum that he does not understand (and is unsure how he produced), yet has demonstrated the ability to kill at least one type of germ. He shortly is able to replicate it, and in order to study its efficacy on other microbes is sent to the West Indies, where a virulent outbreak of bubonic plague has arisen. He is coincidentally teamed with a popular Swedish lecturer on "Heroes of Health" he once met while still in South Dakota, Dr. Gustav Sondelius, who is extremely enthusiastic over both the team and the serum's prospects to help cure the disease. Leora accompanies her husband, despite his fear for her safety.

Arrowsmith has strict instructions from Gottlieb to employ the scientific method in his efforts, conducting a blind study by administering the serum to one-half his patients and a placebo injection to the other. Upon learning of this, the West Indies governor, Sir Robert Fairland, refuses to allow him to proceed. Seeking to break the impasse, black Dr. Oliver Marchand suggests Arrowsmith conduct his experiment in a backwater community on a neighboring island where the infection is rampant. Arrowsmith agrees, insisting Leona stay behind for her own protection. The study begins. Among those seeking an inoculation of Arrowsmith's serum is Mrs. Joyce Lanyon, a New Yorker stranded on the island. They are attracted to each other, though their subsequent affair is only hinted at obliquely.

Sondelius contracts the disease. In his death throes, he pleads with Arrowsmith to abandon scientific protocol and save as many lives as possible. Concerned about his wife's welfare, Arrowsmith asks Marchand to check on her upon his return to the main island, only to have his colleague die while on the phone before he can give his report. Arrowsmith races home, but Leora is dead. In a drunken delirium, he gives the serum to all, saving the Indies from the plague. Upon his return to New York, he is hailed by the press and feted by McGurk Institute head Dr. Tubbs, who seeks to take advantage of Arrowsmith's glory. Arrowsmith instead rushes directly to Gottlieb.

Desperate to explain his abandonment of research principles and his mentor's specific mandate to advance science rather than practice medicine, Arrowsmith discovers that Gottlieb has had a stroke, is insensible, and near death. Disgusted with all that is transpiring, friend and colleague Terry Wickett, a prominent chemist at the Institute, announces abruptly that he is quitting to set up his own "shoestring" laboratory to pursue science. Arrowsmith turns his back on public adulation, a promotion, and a big raise to join forces with Wickett. Joyce Lanyon appears, seeking to rekindle their relationship, but he spurns her, committing himself to his career.

Cast

·       Ronald Colman as Dr Martin Arrowsmith

·       Helen Hayes as Leora Arrowsmith

·       Richard Bennett as Gustav Sondelius

·       A.E. Anson as Professor Max Gottlieb

·       Clarence Brooks as Oliver Marchand

·       Alec B. Francis as Twyford

·       Claude King as Dr. Tubbs

·       Bert Roach as Bert Tozer

·       Myrna Loy as Mrs. Joyce Lanyon

·       Russell Hopton as Terry Wickett

·       David Landau as State Veterinarian

·       Lumsden Hare as Sir Robert Fairland – Governor

·       Ward Bond as Cop (uncredited)

·       John Qualen as Henry Novak (uncredited)

Production

The film is only somewhat faithful to the novel, among other significant changes omitting Arrowsmith's serial womanizing, and completely skipping all mention of Arrowsmith's wealthy, self-centered second wife. Myrna Loy has only a few scenes with Colman, and their relationship is undeveloped to the point of being indecipherable. According to Robert Osborne, host of Turner Classic Movies, Helen Hayes claimed that as filming went on various scenes were dropped from the script without explanation. It is claimed that Samuel Goldwyn had hired director John Ford on condition that he not drink during the production. Allegedly Ford sped up filming at the expense of plot and continuity to get to a bottle.

Reaction

The film was a financial and critical success. It was nominated for four Academy Awards, including for Best Picture, Best Writing, Adaptation (Howard), Best Cinematography (Ray June), and Best Art Direction (Richard Day).[2][3]

References

1.        Quigley Publishing Company "The All Time Best Sellers", International Motion Picture Almanac 1937-38 (1938), pg. 942;

2.       "NY Times: Arrowsmith". Movies & TV Dept. The New York Times. Baseline & All Movie Guide. 2012. Archived from the original on October 17, 2012.

3.       "The 5th Academy Awards (1932) Nominees and Winners". oscars.org.

Air Mail (1932)

Directed by

John Ford

Produced by

Carl Laemmle Jr.

Written by

Dale Van Every
Frank "Spig" Wead

Starring

Ralph Bellamy
Pat O'Brien
Gloria Stuart

Music by

Gilbert Kurland

Cinematography

Karl Freund

Edited by

Harry W. Lieb

Production company

Universal Pictures

Distributed by

Universal Studios

Release date

November 3, 1932

Running time

84 minutes

Country

United States

Language

English

Air Mail is a 1932 American pre-Code adventure film directed by John Ford, based on a story by Dale Van Every and Frank "Spig" Wead. The film stars Ralph Bellamy, Pat O'Brien and Gloria Stuart.[1] A copy is preserved in the Library of Congress.[2]

Plot

Pilot Mike Miller (Ralph Bellamy) owns and operates Desert Airport, an air mail base at the foot of the Rocky Mountains. He leads a group of young pilots who risk their lives flying through dangerous weather and over treacherous terrain to deliver air mail. When Joe Barnes (Ward Bond) crashes at the base, the other pilots attempt to retrieve the precious mail from the burning wreckage. Mike consoles his girlfriend Ruth (Gloria Stuart), who is also Joe's sister. Mike now realizes that he has to hire a replacement, the reckless "Duke" Talbot (Pat O'Brien).

Duke is a good pilot, but his bravado and affair with Irene (Lilian Bond), wife of fellow pilot "Dizzy" Wilkins (Russell Hopton), has the potential to cause irreparable damage to the tightly knit group of aviators. When Dizzy crashes and dies in a blinding snow storm, Mike chooses to take over the last leg of his flight in poor weather even though doctors have told him that his vision has deteriorated. When he also crashes during the blizzard, his distress call reveals that he is still alive, but trapped in an inaccessible mountain valley. Duke considers the rescue as a challenge, commandeering an aircraft and flying to the remote valley. He lands roughly, damaging his aircraft, but manages to fly out with Mike on board. As they reach Desert Airport, Duke knows he cannot land safely so he forces Mike to parachute before he crash-lands. As the ground crew pull him out of the wreck, Duke is badly injured, but alive.

Cast

·       Ralph Bellamy as Mike Miller

·       Gloria Stuart as Ruth Barnes

·       Pat O'Brien as "Duke" Talbot

·       Slim Summerville as "Slim" McCune (as "Slim" Summerville)

·       Lilian Bond as Irene Wilkins

·       Russell Hopton as "Dizzy" Wilkins

·       David Landau as "Pop"

·       Leslie Fenton as Tony Dressel

·       Frank Albertson as Tommy Bogan

·       Hans Fuerberg as "Heinie" Kramer

·       Thomas Carrigan as "Sleepy" Collins (as Tom Carrigan)

·       William Daly as "Tex" Lane[Note 1]

Production

Air Mail was primarily filmed at Universal Studios stages and back lots. A special stage was built to film miniature scenes where a gantry was constructed above the stage to allow models to fly over a large miniature set.[Note 2]

For Air Mail, pilot Paul Mantz outbid other pilots from the Associated Motion Picture Pilots, leading to a contract dispute that was taken to the American Federation of Labor. The decision to allow non-union member Mantz and his team of pilots to fly was dependent on an equal number of union pilots being hired for non-flying duties.[4] Mantz flew a Curtiss-Wright Travel Air Model 16K in a spectacular stunt, flying through a hangar at the Bishop Airport, Bishop, California.[5]

Reception

Air Mail was well received in an era not far removed from a time when air mail pilots like Charles Lindbergh were idolized. Critical reviews praised the atmospheric settings and flying scenes, but had difficulties with the underlying personal dramas. In his review in The New York Times, Mourdant Hall noted, " 'Air Mail' is handicapped by sequences that are either too long or too melodramatic, but it atones partly for these shortcomings by interesting details of activities in a flying-station, which in this instance happens to be known as Desert Airport. This curious combination of compelling truths and incredible fiction has a group of characters who, as usual in similar tales, are either too noble or too shameful or callous."[6]

The review in Variety echoed similar concerns. "(The) Picture is a fund of interesting atmosphere about the air mail service. Radio exchanges are coming in and going out all the time, couched in technical language such as 'Visibility zero, ceiling zero. Caution to all planes.' It's interesting enough, but in essence the producer has dramatized the air mail service first and slipped in a human story as a second thought."[7]

References

Notes

1.        Ward Bond and character actor George Irving appeared in uncredited roles.[3]

2.       Universal "John Fulton" Stage 27 also contains a large water tank and is still in operation.

Citations

1.         "Air Mail (John Ford, 1932)", grunes.wordpress.com;

2.       Catalog of Holdings The American Film Institute Collection and The United Artists Collection at The Library of Congress, p.3 c.1978 by The American Film Institute

3.       "Credits: Air Mail (1932)." 

4.       Wynne 1987, p. 123.

5.       Dwiggins 1967, pp. 47–48.

6.       Hall, Mourdant. "Air Mail (1932); Pat O'Brien as a boastful pilot in a story of the hazards of the modern "Pony Express." The New York Times, November 7, 1932.

7.       "Review: 'Air Mail'." Variety, December 31, 1931.

Bibliography

·       Dwiggins, Don. Hollywood Pilot: The Biography of Paul Mantz. New York: Doubleday and Company, 1967.

·       Wynne, H. Hugh. The Motion Picture Stunt Pilots and Hollywood's Classic Aviation Movies. Missoula, Montana: Pictorial Histories Publishing Co., 1987. 

Flesh (1932)

Directed by

John Ford

Produced by

John Ford
John W. Considine Jr.

Written by

Moss Hart
William Faulkner
Edmund Goulding
Leonard Praskins (adaptation)
Edgar Allan Woolf (adaptation)

Starring

Wallace Beery
Ricardo Cortez
Karen Morley
Jean Hersholt

Music by

Alfred Newman

Cinematography

Arthur Edeson

Edited by

William S. Gray

Production company

Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer

Distributed by

Loew's Inc.

Release date

December 8, 1932

Running time

96 minutes

Country

United States

Language

English/German

Budget

$480,000[1]

Box office

$837,000[1]

Flesh is a 1932 American pre-Code drama film starring Wallace Beery as a German wrestler. Some of the script was written by Moss Hart and an uncredited William Faulkner, and the film was co-produced and directed by John Ford, who removed his director's credit from the picture.

Plot

In Germany, American convict Laura (Karen Morley) is released from prison because she is pregnant. Before leaving, she assures her boyfriend and fellow American convict Nicky (Ricardo Cortez), who does not know of her pregnancy, that they will reunite when he gets out. In another scene, the German wrestler Polakai (Wallace Beery) has just won another bout in a string of victories on his way to a national championship, but he works for income at a local beer hall, hoisting large beer barrels on his shoulders to both entertain and serve the customers.

Laura arrives and orders a large meal but is unable to pay. When Mr. Herman, the beer hall's owner (Jean Hersholt), is about to call the police, Polakai offers to pay for the meal himself. Later that evening with nowhere to go, Laura accepts Polakai's offer to stay in his small apartment, which is also owned by Herman and his wife (Greta Meyer). The stay turns out to be a lengthy one. It is implied that Polakai and Laura sleep together, but even though he proposes to her several times, she turns him down. Though she is touched by Polakai's simple but generous nature, Laura is still in love with Nick. When Polakai catches her stealing his money to obtain Nick's release, Laura confesses but claims that Nick is her brother. Once again, the gullible wrestler comes to her aid.

Nick arrives and plays along with the ruse that he's Laura's brother. When he learns that Laura is pregnant, though, he takes money that Polakai has given him and immediately heads back to America. With Nick gone, Laura finally assents to Polakai's proposal and reveals her pregnancy, leaving him to believe that he will be the father. On the night that the child is born, Polakai wins the German wrestling championship. Laura still pines for Nick despite his having left her, but Polakai thinks that she's homesick for America. The Hermans have already emigrated to the U.S., and Polakai decides that he and Laura should follow them, hoping that he can win a world wrestling championship there.

In America, Polakai and Laura are reunited with Nick, whom Laura has forgiven and who offers to be Polakai's manager, although he is actually in league with Willard (John Miljan), a crooked promoter. As Polakai learns how his matches are being rigged, he begins to drink. Laura tries to sober him up and get him to win his championship match, which is he supposed to lose, but Nick begins to beat her. Polakai, coming to, strangles Nick. He goes on to the wrestling match anyway, which he wins only to be arrested. In the aftermath, the district attorney seems willing to go light on Polakai, and Laura promises to go away so that she will not hurt him anymore. Polakai, however, holds her hand.

Cast

·       Wallace Beery as Polakai

·       Ricardo Cortez as Nicky

·       Karen Morley as Laura

·       Jean Hersholt as Mr. Herman

·       John Miljan as Willard

·       Herman Bing as Pepi

·       Vince Barnett as Karl

·       Greta Meyer as Mrs. Herman

·       Edward Brophy as Dolan

·       Billy Bletcher as Man in Cafe (uncredited)

·       Ward Bond as Muscles Manning (uncredited)

·       Frank Reicher as Warden (uncredited)

Box office

The film grossed a total of $837,000: $487,000 from the U.S. and Canada and $350,000 in other markets, resulting in a profit of $49,000.[1]

Allusions in other films

Nearly six decades after the release of Flesh, the title character in the Coen brothers 1991 film Barton Fink struggles to overcome writer's block while he tries to write a wrestling picture for Wallace Beery. The Coens were reportedly unaware of this 1932 production when they developed their film, which features a character based somewhat on William Faulkner, whom Fink consults while writing his script.[2]

Pilgrimage (1933)

Directed by

John Ford

Written by

Barry Conners
Henry Johnson
Philip Klein
Dudley Nichols
Basil Woon
I.A.R. Wylie

Starring

Henrietta Crosman
Heather Angel

Cinematography

George Schneiderman

Edited by

Louis R. Loeffler

Distributed by

Fox Film Corporation

Release date

August 18, 1933

Running time

96 minutes

Country

United States

Language

English

Pilgrimage is a 1933 American pre-Code drama film directed by John Ford.[1] The film was a box office disappointment for Fox.[2]

Cast

·       Henrietta Crosman as Mrs. Hannah Jessop

·       Heather Angel as Suzanne

·       Norman Foster as Jim 'Jimmy' Jessop (Hannah's son)

·       Lucille La Verne as Mrs. Kelly Hatfield

·       Maurice Murphy as Gary Worth

·       Marian Nixon as Mary Saunders

·       Jay Ward as Jimmy Saunders (Mary and Jimmy Hessop's son)

·       Robert Warwick as Major Albertson

·       Louise Carter as Mrs. Rogers

·       Betty Blythe as Janet Prescot

·       Francis Ford as Mayor Elmer Briggs

·       Charley Grapewin as Dad Saunders

·       Hedda Hopper as Mrs. Worth (Gary Worth's mother)

·       Frances Rich as The Nurse

References

1.        The American Film Institute Catalog Feature Films: 1931–40 by The American Film Institute, c. 1993

2.       D. W. (November 25, 1934). "TAKING A LOOK AT THE RECORD". New York Times.

Doctor Bull (1933)

Directed by

John Ford

Produced by

Winfield R. Sheehan

Written by

James Gould Cozzens
Paul Green
Philip Klein
Jane Storm

Starring

Will Rogers
Vera Allen

Cinematography

George Schneiderman

Edited by

Louis R. Loeffler

Distributed by

Fox Film Corporation

Release date

September 22, 1933

Running time

77 minutes

Country

United States

Language

English

Doctor Bull is a 1933 American pre-Code comedy film directed by John Ford,[1][2] based on the James Gould Cozzens novel The Last Adam. Will Rogers portrays a small-town doctor who must deal with a typhoid outbreak in the community.

The film was praised by The New York Times, which noted that the story is similar to that of Lionel Barrymore's film One Man's Journey when it premiered at the Radio City Music Hall in New York City.[3] Andy Devine met his future wife during the making of this picture. The film was one of Fox's biggest hits of the year.[4]

Cast

·       Will Rogers as Dr. George "Doc" Bull

·       Vera Allen as Mrs. Janet "Jane" Cardmaker, widow of Charles Edward Cardmaker and Bull's girlfriend

·       Marian Nixon as May Tupping, telephone operator

·       Howard Lally as Joe Tupping

·       Berton Churchill as Herbert Banning, Janet's brother

·       Louise Dresser as Mrs. Herbert Banning

·       Andy Devine as Larry Ward, soda jerk

·       Rochelle Hudson as Virginia (Muller) Banning

·       Tempe Pigott as Grandma Banning

·       Elizabeth Patterson as Aunt Patricia Banning

·       Nora Cecil as Aunt Emily Banning

·       Ralph Morgan as Dr. Verney, owner of Verney Laboratory

·       Effie Ellsler as Aunt Myra Bull

·       Helen Freeman as Helen Upjohn, New Winton postmistress

·       Francis Ford as Mr. Herring (uncredited)

·       Charles Middleton as Mr. Upjohn (uncredited)

References

1.        Tag Gallagher (1988). John Ford: The Man and His Films. University of California Press. p. 94. 

2.       "Doctor Bull (1933)". 

3.       Hall, Mordaunt (October 6, 1933). "Movie Review – Will Rogers as a Country Doctor in a Film Version of James Gou

The Lost Patrol (1934)

Directed by

John Ford

Produced by

Merian C. Cooper
Cliff Reid
John Ford

Screenplay by

Garrett Fort
Dudley Nichols

Based on

Patrol, 1928 novel by Philip MacDonald

Starring

Victor McLaglen
Boris Karloff

Music by

Max Steiner

Cinematography

Harold Wenstrom

Edited by

Paul Weatherwax

Distributed by

RKO Radio Pictures

Release date

February 16, 1934

Running time

73 minutes

Country

United States

Language

English

Budget

$262,000[1]

Box office

$583,000[1]

The Lost Patrol is a 1934 American pre-Code war film made by RKO. It was directed and produced by John Ford, with Merian C. Cooper as executive producer and Cliff Reid as associate producer. The screenplay was by Dudley Nichols, adapted by Garrett Fort from the 1927 novel Patrol by Philip MacDonald. The music score was by Max Steiner and the cinematography by Harold Wenstrom. The film is a remake of a 1929 British silent film, also named The Lost Patrol, based on the same novel.[2]

The Lost Patrol stars Victor McLaglen, Boris Karloff, Wallace Ford, Reginald Denny, J. M. Kerrigan and Alan Hale.[Note 1]

MacDonald’s story and the incident depicted in a 1936 Soviet film The Thirteen (set in the Central Asia desert during the Basmachi rebellion and directed by Mikhail Romm) inspired the 1943 film Sahara, featuring Humphrey Bogart.

Plot

During World War I, the young lieutenant in charge of a small British mounted patrol in the empty Mesopotamian desert is shot and killed by an unseen sniper. This leaves the sergeant at a loss, since he had not been told what their mission is and has no idea where they are. Riding north in the hope of rejoining their brigade, the eleven remaining men reach a deserted oasis where they find water, edible dates, and shelter.

During the night, one of the sentries is killed, the other seriously wounded, and all their horses are stolen, leaving them stranded. They bury the dead man and put his sword at the head of his grave. One by one, the remaining men are picked off by the unseen assailants. During the course of the film, the men talk and reminisce and fight—and deal with their situation. In desperation, the sergeant sends two men chosen by lot on foot for help, but they are caught, and their mutilated bodies returned. One man, Abelson, suffering from heat exhaustion, sees a mirage and wanders into deadly rifle fire. The pilot of a British biplane spots the survivors, but nonchalantly lands nearby and despite frantic warnings is killed. After dark, the sergeant takes the machine gun from the aircraft and then sets the plane on fire as a signal to any British troops. Sanders, a religious fanatic, goes mad and walks into deadly fire.

In the end only the sergeant is left and, thinking he too is dead, the six Arabs who have been besieging the oasis advance on foot. Using the machine gun from the aircraft, the sergeant kills them all. A British patrol which had seen the smoke from the burning plane rides up and the officer in charge asks the sergeant roughly where his men are. In silence, the sergeant looks toward their graves, six swords gleaming in the sun.

Cast

·       Victor McLaglen as The Sergeant

·       Boris Karloff as Sanders

·       Wallace Ford as Morelli

·       Reginald Denny as George Brown

·       J. M. Kerrigan as Quincannon

·       Billy Bevan as Herbert Hale

·       Alan Hale as Matlow Cook

·       Brandon Hurst as Corporal Bell

·       Douglas Walton as Pearson

·       Sammy Stein as Abelson

·       Howard Wilson as Aviator

·       Paul Hanson as Jock MacKay

Production and casting

The film was directed by John Ford, who also directed The World Moves On and Judge Priest in the year it came out. Ford co-produced the film along with Merian C. Cooper and Cliff Reid. Cooper himself had a military career. He served in the United States Army Air Service from 1916 to 1921, and would return to military service in World War II, in which he served from 1941 to 1945, reaching the rank of brigadier general. Ford himself served in the United States Navy in World War II from 1942 to 1945, reaching the rank of commander. He stayed in the reserves from 1946 to 1962. In the reserves, Ford reached the rank of rear admiral. The script was written by Dudley Nichols and Garrett Fort, based on the 1927 war novel Patrol, by Philip MacDonald. The novel was first adapted in 1929, by Walter Summers, who directed and wrote the film with Victor McLaglen’s younger brother Cyril in the lead role. The novel and movies focus on the psychological strain on a patrol of British soldiers when they become lost in the desert and surrounded by the enemy in Iraq. MacDonald himself served in the British cavalry during World War I in the Mesopotamian campaign.

Richard Dix was cast to play the lead role in The Lost Patrol but he went into another film instead and Victor McLaglen replaced him.[4] McLaglen himself was a World War I veteran, having served as a Captain (acting) with the 10th Battalion, Middlesex Regiment. Later he claimed to have served with the Royal Irish Fusiliers. He served for a time as military Assistant Provost Marshal for the city of Baghdad. McLaglen would work with Ford and Nichols again in The Informer. The three of them would win Academy Awards for Best Actor, Best Director and Best Adapted Screenplay.

Already an actor in 1909, Boris Karloff attempted to enlist in the British Army during World War I, but was rejected due to his heart murmur.

Wallace Ford and Reginald Denny, who played Morelli and Brown, had both served in World War I. Ford served in the United States cavalry, while Denny served as an observer/gunner in the Royal Flying Corps. Denny would eventually found a company that made radio-controlled target aircraft during World War II.

Filming

The Lost Patrol was filmed in Algodones Dunes, California and Yuma, Arizona. Filming began on August 31 and ended on September 22, 1933. In Algodones Dunes, the temperatures soared and one of the film's producers wound up in the hospital with sunstroke.[5] According to Karloff’s biographer Peter Underwood, the temperature on the Yuma locations could be as hot as 150 degrees and actors were limited to working two hours a day.

Reception

Film historian Alun Evans in Brassey's Guide to War Films, considered the production, "... something of a classic, if only for the number of copy-cat pictures it spawned."[3] The film made a profit of $84,000.[1] Film reviewer Paul Tatara claims, "Critics have alternately hailed The Lost Patrol as a flawed masterpiece and a failed experiment. In reality, it's probably a little bit of both."[5] In a contemporary review, Mourdant Hall of The New York Times, noted: "In The Lost Patrol, a picture now sojourning at the Rialto, women are conspicuous by their absence. It is an audible adaptation of Philip MacDonald's novel Patrol, which was exhibited here in silent film form several years ago. The present production is highly effective from a photographic standpoint, but the incidents are often strained."[6]

Among the awards for The Lost Patrol, it was listed as one of the "10 Best Films - 1934" by The New York Times and received nominations for Best Picture in the 1934 National Board of Review and for Max Steiner for the 1934 Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences Academy Award for Original Music Score.[7] On Rotten Tomatoes, the film holds an approval rating of 100% based on 6 reviews, with a weighted average rating of 7.6/10.[8]

Notes

1.        The Lost Patrol (1929) coincidentally starred Victor McLaglen's younger brother Cyril McLaglen in the lead role.

2.       In 1954, an Italian film with the same name (aka La Pattuglia Sperduta), directed by Piero Nelli was not a remake.[3]

References

1.        Jewel, Richard. "RKO Film Grosses: 1931-1951." Historical Journal of Film Radio and Television, Vol. 14, No. 1, 1994, p. 56.

2.       Pallot and Monaco 1995, p. 499.

3.       Schallert, Edwin (August 29, 1933). "News and Gossip of Studio and Theater: March favored as "Count of Monte Cristo: Film script now complete; McLaglen assigned to star role in 'Patrol'; Mystery Attaches to Plans of Helen Hayes Distant Locales Chosen for Warners' Air Epic". Los Angeles Times. p. A7.

4.       Tatara, Paul. "Articles: The Lost Patrol (1934)." 

5.       Hall, Mourdant. "Movie review: The Lost Patrol (1934); Victor McLaglen, Reginald Denny, J.M. Kerrigan and others in the picture, The Lost Patrol." The New York Times, April 2, 1934.

6.       "Details: The Lost Patrol." The New York Times.

7.       "The Lost Patrol (1934) - Rotten Tomatoes". Rotten Tomatoes.com. Rotten Tomatoes. Retrieved 9 October 2017.

Bibliography

·       Evans, Alun. Brassey's Guide to War Films. Dulles, Virginia: Potomac Books, 2000. 

·       Pallot, James and James Monaco. The Movie Guide. New York: Berkley Publishing Group, 1995. 

The World Moves On (1934)

Directed by

John Ford

Produced by

Winfield R. Sheehan

Written by

Reginald Berkeley

Starring

Madeleine Carroll
Franchot Tone

Cinematography

George Schneiderman

Edited by

Paul Weatherwax

Distributed by

Fox Film Corporation

Release date

June 28, 1934[1]

Running time

104 minutes

Country

United States

Language

English

The World Moves On is a 1934 American drama film directed by John Ford and starring Madeleine Carroll and Franchot Tone. It is notable for being the first Hollywood code approved film.

The story opens 185 years ago when two families, cotton merchants in England and America, with branches in France and Prussia swear to stand by each other in a belief that a great business firmly established in four countries will be able to withstand even such another calamity as the Napoleonic Wars from which Europe is slowly recovering. Then many years later, along comes World War I and the years that follow, to test the businesses.

Cast

·       Madeleine Carroll as Mrs. Warburton, 1825/Mary Warburton Girard, 1914

·       Franchot Tone as Richard Girard

·       Reginald Denny as Erik von Gerhardt

·       Sig Ruman as Baron von Gerhardt (as Siegfried Rumann)

·       Louise Dresser as Baroness von Gerhardt

·       Raul Roulien as Carlos Girard (1825) / Henri Girard (1914)

·       Stepin Fetchit as Dixie

·       Lumsden Hare as Gabriel Warburton (1825) / Sir John Warburton (1914)

·       Dudley Digges as Mr. Manning

·       Frank Melton as John Girard (1825)

·       Brenda Fowler as Madame Agnes Girard (1825)

·       Russell Simpson as Notary (1825)

·       Walter McGrail as The Duallist (1825)

·       Marcelle Corday as Madame Girard II (1914)

·       Charles Bastin as Jacques Girard, the Boy (1914)

·       Barry Norton as Jacques Girard (1924)

·       George Irving as Charles Girard (1914)

·       Ferdinand Schumann-Heink as Fritz von Gerhardt

·       Georgette Rhodes as Jeanne Girard

·       Claude King as Colonel Braithwaite

·       Ivan F. Simpson as Clumber (as Ivan Simpson)

·       Frank Moran as Sergeant Culbert, Soldier in Trench

Production Notes

Most of the World War I battle footage was taken from the 1932 French film Wooden Crosses.[2] This film was the first to receive an MPPDA (now, the MPA) certificate under the new Production Code, and received MPAA certificate #1.[3]

Reception

Mordaunt Hall of The New York Times called it "an ambitious undertaking, well composed and photographed, but it does seem as though the film would be all the better if it were shortened."[4] Variety said it was "an impressive picture", although the first half-hour was "undeniably slow."[2] "Impressive in magnitude and well cast", reported Film Daily.[5] John Mosher of The New Yorker panned it as "a completely synthetic affair" that was "padded out to the limit".[6] The Chicago Tribune called it "a moving tale" and "well worth your time", with "but one fault – extreme length."[7]

Awards

John Ford won the Special Recommendation award at the 1934 Venice Film Festival for this film.

References

1.        "The World Moves On (1934)". Turner Classic Movies.

2.       "World Moves On". Variety. New York: Variety, Inc.: 26 July 3, 1934.

3.       "Filmnumbers".

4.       Hall, Mordaunt (June 30, 1934). "Madeleine Carroll, Franchot Tone and Dudley Digges in the New Picture at the Criterion". The New York Times. Retrieved June 22, 2015.

5.       "Reviews of the New Features". Film Daily. New York: Wid's Films and Film Folk, Inc. June 30, 1934. p. 4.

6.       Mosher, John C. (July 7, 1934). "The Current Cinema". The New Yorker: 64.

7.       Nangle, Anna (August 13, 1934). "'World Moves On' is Century of One Family". Chicago Daily Tribune: 17.

Judge Priest (1934)

Directed by

John Ford

Produced by

Sol M. Wurtzel

Written by

Irvin S. Cobb
Dudley Nichols
Lamar Trotti

Starring

Will Rogers
Tom Brown
Henry B. Walthall
Hattie McDaniel
Stepin Fetchit

Music by

Cyril J. Mockridge
Samuel Kaylin (uncredited)

Cinematography

George Schneiderman

Edited by

Paul Weatherwax

Production company

Fox Film Corporation

Distributed by

Fox Film Corporation

Release date

September 28, 1934

Running time

80 minutes

Country

United States

Language

English

Box office

$1,176,000 (rentals)[1]

Judge Priest is a 1934 American comedy film starring Will Rogers. The film was directed by John Ford, produced by Sol M. Wurtzel in association with Fox Film, and based on humorist Irvin S. Cobb's character Judge Priest. The picture is set in post-reconstruction Kentucky and the supporting cast features Henry B. Walthall, Hattie McDaniel and Stepin Fetchit.[2] It was remade by Ford in 1953 as The Sun Shines Bright.

Plot

In 1890, Judge Priest is an eccentric judge in a small Kentucky town. Although his wife has been dead for 19 years, he shows no interest in remarrying. He sometimes stumbles with his words, but he shows his wit. The judge, despite all his talk of being a Confederate veteran, finds his best friend to be Jeff Poindexter, a black man. Judge Priest takes pride in his tolerance for others.

Cast

·       Will Rogers as Judge William 'Billy' Priest

·       Tom Brown as Jerome Priest

·       Anita Louise as Ellie May Gillespie

·       Henry B. Walthall as Reverend Ashby Brand

·       David Landau as Bob Gillis

·       Rochelle Hudson as Virginia Maydew

·       Roger Imhof as Billy Gaynor

·       Frank Melton as Flem Talley

·       Charley Grapewin as Sergeant Jimmy Bagby

·       Berton Churchill as Senator Horace Maydew

·       Brenda Fowler as Mrs. Caroline Priest

·       Francis Ford as Juror No. 12

·       Hattie McDaniel as Aunt Dilsey

·       Stepin Fetchit as Jeff Poindexter

·       Winter Hall as Judge Floyd Fairleigh (uncredited)

·       Harry Tenbrook as Townsman in Saloon (uncredited)

Production notes

Will Rogers

The film played a major role in earning Will Rogers recognition as the number one box office star of 1934. Rogers received critical praise for his performance, some noting that Rogers fell right into the role with his heart-warming personality. Rogers managed a balance of comedic one-liners and serious dramatics. The Tulsa Daily World summed up Rogers' performance: "The star's portrayal of Judge Priest has the mark of authenticity upon it … the unique blending of unique talent with a rich and splendid role."[3] Rogers was killed in a plane crash just a year after the release of Judge Priest.

Stepin Fetchit

In the role as Jeff Poindexter, director John Ford gave Stepin Fetchit some room to expand his comic performance. When Judge Priest asks Jeff why he is not wearing his shoes, Fetchit comically ad libs, "I’m saving them for when my feet wear out." Fetchit was known for attending lavish parties and causing mischief while off the studio lot. Right before the shooting of Judge Priest, Fetchit caused a commotion at a benefit show at the Apollo Theater in New York City. When he arrived back in Hollywood for the filming of Judge Priest, Fetchit's behavior was much better. In fact, only once was Fetchit late for a shoot (he had forgotten his make-up kit).

Hattie McDaniel[

Hattie McDaniel (last name appears as "McDaniels" in the opening credits) was just beginning her trek to stardom when she shot Judge Priest. Before this film she was a relatively unknown actress. Stepin Fetchit apparently doubted her acting abilities at the beginning of the production, but soon realized he was working with a very talented performer. Director John Ford noted McDaniel's acting talents. Ford cut some of Fetchit's scenes and gave McDaniel additional scenes. This created an initial rift between these two pioneering black actors.

The film was a success at the box office.[4] It was one of Fox's biggest hits of the year (five of the studio's seven big hits starred Rogers).[5]

In 1998, Jonathan Rosenbaum of the Chicago Reader included the film in his unranked list of the best American films not included on the AFI Top 100.[6]

Music

·       "My Old Kentucky Home, Good Night" (Music and lyrics by Stephen Foster) – Sung by Hattie McDaniel, Melba Brown, Thelma Brown, Vera Brown, Will Rogers and others

·       "Aunt Dilsey's Improvisation" (Written by Hattie McDaniel) – Sung by Hattie McDaniel

·       "Love's Old Sweet Song (Just a Song at Twilight)" (Music by J.L. Molloy, lyrics by J. Clifton Bingham)

·       "Massa Jesus Wrote Me a Note" (Music by Cyril J. Mockridge, lyrics by Dudley Nichols and Lamar Trotti) – Sung by Hattie McDaniel and others at the festival

·       "Old Folks at Home (Swanee River)" (Written by Stephen Foster)

·       "Old Black Joe" (Written by Stephen Foster)

·       "(I Wish I Was in) Dixie's Land" (Written by Daniel Decatur Emmett)

·       "Little Brown Jug" (Music and lyrics by Joseph Winner) – Sung by Hattie McDaniel

·       "Aunt Dilsey's Song" (Music by Cyril J. Mockridge, lyrics by Dudley Nichols and Lamar Trotti) – Sung by Hattie McDaniel

References

1.        "All-Time Film Rental Champs". Variety. October 15, 1990. p. M150.

2.       "Judge Priest". Turner Classic Movies.

3.       Maturi, Richard J. and Mary Buckingham Maturi. Will Rogers, Performer. Jefferson: McFarland & Company, Inc., 1999. Print.

4.       Churchill, Douglas W. (December 30, 1934). "The Year in Hollywood: 1934 May Be Remembered as the Beginning of the Sweetness-and-Light Era (gate locked)". New York Times. p. X5.

5. D. W. (November 25, 1934). "TAKING A LOOK AT THE RECORD". New York Times.

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