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The Bells

  • 19261926
  • 1h 8m
IMDb RATING
6.4/10
444
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
98,569
7,611
The Bells (1926)
CrimeDramaHorror
An innkeeper murders a wealthy guest to pay off his debt, but his conscience will not allow him to get away with the crime so easily.An innkeeper murders a wealthy guest to pay off his debt, but his conscience will not allow him to get away with the crime so easily.An innkeeper murders a wealthy guest to pay off his debt, but his conscience will not allow him to get away with the crime so easily.
IMDb RATING
6.4/10
444
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
98,569
7,611
  • Director
    • James Young
  • Writers
    • Alexandre Chatrian(play "Le Juif Polonais")
    • Emile Erckmann(play "Le Juif Polonais")
    • Leopold Lewis(stage adaptation)
  • Stars
    • Lionel Barrymore
    • Caroline Frances Cooke
    • Gustav von Seyffertitz
Top credits
  • Director
    • James Young
  • Writers
    • Alexandre Chatrian(play "Le Juif Polonais")
    • Emile Erckmann(play "Le Juif Polonais")
    • Leopold Lewis(stage adaptation)
  • Stars
    • Lionel Barrymore
    • Caroline Frances Cooke
    • Gustav von Seyffertitz
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 15User reviews
    • 10Critic reviews
  • See production, box office & company info
  • See more at IMDbPro
  • Photos80

    The Bells (1926)
    The Bells (1926)
    The Bells (1926)
    The Bells (1926)
    The Bells (1926)
    The Bells (1926)
    The Bells (1926)
    Lionel Barrymore in The Bells (1926)
    The Bells (1926)
    The Bells (1926)
    Lola Todd in The Bells (1926)
    Lola Todd in The Bells (1926)

    Top cast

    Edit
    Lionel Barrymore
    Lionel Barrymore
    • Mathias
    Caroline Frances Cooke
    Caroline Frances Cooke
    • Catharine
    Gustav von Seyffertitz
    Gustav von Seyffertitz
    • Jerome Frantz
    Lorimer Johnston
    Lorimer Johnston
    • Hans
    Eddie Phillips
    Eddie Phillips
    • Christian
    • (as Edward Phillips)
    Lola Todd
    • Annette
    Laura La Varnie
    Laura La Varnie
    • Fortune Teller
    • (as Laura Lavarnie)
    Boris Karloff
    Boris Karloff
    • The Mesmerist
    E. Alyn Warren
    E. Alyn Warren
    • Jethro Koweski…
    Frank Austin
    Frank Austin
    • Old Man at Inn
    • (uncredited)
    John George
    John George
    • Mesmerist Announcer
    • (uncredited)
    Otto Lederer
    Otto Lederer
    • Clothing Peddler
    • (uncredited)
    Scotty Mattraw
    • Fat Townsman
    • (uncredited)
    • Director
      • James Young
    • Writers
      • Alexandre Chatrian(play "Le Juif Polonais")
      • Emile Erckmann(play "Le Juif Polonais")
      • Leopold Lewis(stage adaptation)
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

    Storyline

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    Did you know

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    • Trivia
      Immediate inspiration for the Sept. 1926 film seems to have been the April 1926 New York stage adaptation (one of many). On Broadway that April, director Rollo Lloyd also acted the lead role of Mathias (played by Lionel Barrymore's in the film) and Edward Loeffler played the mesmerist (Boris Karloff in the film). J.M. Kerrigan (later seen in a number of John Ford films) on Broadway '26 played Father Walter.
    • Connections
      Edited into The Mesmerist (2003)

    User reviews15

    Review
    Review
    Featured review
    9/10
    Great old silent
    If you love Lionel Barrymore like I do you will enjoy this one! I had no idea there were so many silent adaptions of this film. This is the only one I've seen.

    Whatever else is lacking in this 1926 film it is certainly not the sheer talent! Lionel is a master as always here! He goes through a wide range of facial expressions and nuances that fit the mood without overdoing it.

    From charming and the favorite of his tavern patrons to a guilt ridden murderer and descends quickly. He is heavy in debt and decides to murder a passing wealthy visitor and covers it up. I love the snowy remote village setting here as well! Really sets the mood. There is a copy of this on YouTube and I like the accompanying music there.

    Boris Karloff very early in his career as a creepy mesmerist who suggest he can get him to confess. But it is Barrymore's character's conscience that will do him in. It could of had a better ending but this movie was intriguing and held my interest.

    Another aspect I really enjoy is this film is that it has a real stage feel about it. It was adapted from a play (but Lionel wasn't in it). By watching this you get a feel of what it may of been like to see this wonderful thespian in his stage days. It must of been amazing!
    helpful•1
    0
    • kellisean-24239
    • Mar 7, 2020

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • July 30, 1926 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • Колокольчики
    • Production company
      • Chadwick Pictures Corporation
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Technical specs

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    • Runtime
      1 hour 8 minutes
    • Sound mix
      • Silent
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.33 : 1

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