Across to Singapore (1928)

Conflict ensues when a young man's childhood sweetheart becomes betrothed to his older brother.

Director:

William Nigh

Writers:

Ben Ames Williams (book), Ted Shane (adaptation)

Stars:

Ramon Novarro, Joan Crawford, Ernest Torrence

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Ramon Novarro	...	Joel Shore
Joan Crawford	...	Priscilla Crowninshield
Ernest Torrence	...	Capt. Mark Shore
Frank Currier	...	Jeremiah Shore
Dan Wolheim	...	Noah Shore
Duke Martin	...	Matthew Shore
Edward Connelly	...	Joshua Croninshield
Jim Mason	...	Finch (as James Mason)

Storyline

It's the mid-nineteenth century. The neighboring Shore and Crowninshield families of the American east coast have a long tradition of seafaring. Of Jeremiah Shore's four sons, the only one not at sea is the youngest, Joel Shore, solely because of his age. Joel has had a long friendship with the Crowninshield's daughter, Priscilla Crowninshield, that friendship which is now on the brink of romantic love as they become of age, although this new-found love is unspoken on both sides. Joel hopes that when his eldest brother, Mark Shore, captain of the Nathan Ross, returns home from his latest voyage, he will allow Joel to sail with him. Although Mark still sees Joel as the "youngin'" of the family, Joel, through slightly underhanded means, is able to convince Mark that he is man enough to become a sailor. Also on this layover at home, Mark notices that Priscilla has become a beautiful young woman, who he now wants to marry. Mark arranges the engagement with his father and Priscilla's ...

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Plot Keywords:

love | engagement | brother | ship | singapore | 

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Taglines:

Packed with red-blooded action and oriental intrigue! (Print Ad-Edmonton Journal, ((Edmonton, Alta.)) 18 May 1928)

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Genres:

Drama | Romance

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Certificate:

Passed

Did You Know?

Trivia

Both Frank Currier and Edward Connelly died in 1928, the same year the film was released.

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Quotes

Joel Shore: Swim for your life, Priscilla! Better a watery grave than life in the clutches of these blackguards!

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Alternate Versions

Turner Classic Movies (TCM) broadcast a version with an uncredited piano music score, and running time of 85 minutes.

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Connections

Version of All the Brothers Were Valiant (1923)

User Reviews

Come Sail The High Seas Of Adventure With Ramon Novarro

Two brothers dream of their love for the same girl back home, while aboard ship sailing ACROSS TO SINGAPORE.

Based on the famous adventure story ‘All The Brothers Were Valiant' by Ben Ames Williams, this is a rousing silent film which features strong action & good acting. The production values are first-rate, as is to be expected from MGM. Although the plot becomes somewhat ludicrous - the hero kidnaps the heroine off to the Orient where they confront a dastardly mutiny - the film is certainly never dull.

Ramon Novarro stars as the youngest son in a sea-faring family of hardy men. (The Studio kept their Mexican star constantly roaming from one ethnic identity to another; here he plays Anglo-Saxon.) Giving a typically robust performance, Novarro is not lacking in the heroics necessary to beguile his audience. It is unfortunate that Novarro's films, silent & sound, with the exception of BEN-HUR (1925), are all but forgotten today.

Big, blustering Ernest Torrence steals more than a scene or two as Novarro's sea captain brother; gruff & gentle by turns, he is indeed valiant. Joan Crawford, early in her film career, is the object of both brothers' affections. Just when she seems a mite too demure, Joan's fire begins to spark; she also proves to be a surprisingly good pistol shot during the mutiny.

Movie mavens will recognize an unbilled Anna May Wong as a Celestial temptress.

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

7 April 1928 (USA)

Also Known As:

All the Brothers Were Valiant

Filming Locations:

Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios - 10202 W. Washington Blvd., Culver City, California, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$290,000 (estimated)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM)

Technical Specs

Runtime:

85 min

Sound Mix:

Silent

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1