SOUND FEATURES: WEARY RIVER (1929)
CREDITS
Released: Feb 10, 1929
Production Company: First National Pictures
Featured Cast: Richard Barthelmess, Betty Compson, William Holden, Louis Natheaux, George E. Stone, Ray Turner, Gladden James, Ernie Adams, Brooks Benedict, Ruth Cherrington, James Conaty, Richard Cramer, Edwards Davis, Sally Eilers, Jim Farley, Sherry Hall, Chuck Hamilton, Pat Harmon, Ernest Hilliard, Bob Kortman, Louis Mercier, Robert Emmett O’Connor, Virginia Sale, Randolph Scott, Harry Semels, Charles Sullivan, Fred Warren, Blue Washington
Director: Frank Lloyd
Producer (uncredited): Frank Lloyd
Cinematographer: Ernest Haller
Editor: James Gibbon, Edward Schroeder
Composer (uncredited): Louis Silvers
Art Director: John Hughes
Set Decorator (uncredited): Ray Moyer
Special Photography: Alvin Knechtel
Costume Designer: Max Rée
Presenter:Richard A. Rowland
Conductor: Vitaphone Symphony Orchestra: Louis Silvers
Singing Voice: Richard Barthelmess (uncredited): Johnny Murray
Writers: Courtney Ryley Cooper (story), Bradley King (screen), Paul Perez (titles), Thomas J. Geraghty (dialogue)
TECH
Runtime 1 hr 26 min (86 min) (USA)
Sound Mix Mono (Western Electric System) (Western Electric Apparatus) (sound effects, music and talking sequences)
Color Black and White
Aspect Ratio 1.33 : 1
Film Length 2,305.81 m (silent version)
2,431.69 m (8 reels)
Negative Format 35 mm
Cinematographic Process Spherical
Printed Film Format 35 mm
STORY
Jerry Larabee (Richard Barthelmess) is a gangster who can play piano and sing, mostly to entertain his girl Alice (Betty Compson), who is quite visibly thrilled by his crooning. But as the result of a gangland shootout he had with rival mobster Spadoni (Louis Natheaux), Larabee must do a stretch in prison. The kindly warden (William Holden) sees a potential for redemption in him, and talks Mary into giving him up, so he will break all contact with his previous life.
Through his musical talents, Jerry is soon doing radio broadcasts with the prison orchestra, and one of his own compositions, “Weary River” is a smash hit with listeners. In no time, he’s released, with a concert tour lined up. unfortunately, hecklers cause the overly sensitive ex-gunman to lose his confidence and he’s a flop.
Down on his luck, he drifts back to his old gang buddies and Mary, who’s never stopped loving him. After learning that his stint up the river was a frame-up by Spadoni, a showdown is arranged at their hangout, a small café. A grim wait until the agreed minute is interrupted by the appearance of the Warden, who’s been tipped off by Mary. He saves Jerry from the resulting shootout and arrival of the police force. Spadoni’s dead, and now avenged, and apparently reformed as well, the warden’s happy to let Larabee go free to marry Mary.
Written By: WesternOne
AWARDS
Nominated for 1 Oscar Award.
1930
Academy Awards, USA
Nominated, Oscar
Best Director
Frank Lloyd
No official nominees had been announced this year.