The Docks of New York (1928)

A blue-collar worker on New York's depressed waterfront finds his life changed after he saves a woman attempting suicide.

Director:

Josef von Sternberg

Writers:

Jules Furthman (story and screenplay), John Monk Saunders (suggested by "The Dock Walloper" by)

Stars:

George Bancroft, Betty Compson, Olga Baclanova

3 wins.

Cast

Complete credited cast:
George Bancroft	...	Bill Roberts
Betty Compson	...	Mae
Olga Baclanova	...	Mrs. Lou Roberts (as Baclanova)
Clyde Cook	...	'Sugar' Steve
Mitchell Lewis	...	Andy - the Third Engineer
Gustav von Seyffertitz	...	Hymn Book Harry

Storyline

Bill Roberts works as a stoker on a coal-red barge. It's dirty, hard work and the men have to put up with a foreman, Andy, who seems to enjoy making their life miserable. When finally off the ship, Bill sees a young woman struggling in the water - apparently trying to commit suicide. He takes her to the Sandbar saloon, the sailors' hangout. The girl is Mae and Bill takes a shine to her but so does Andy. One thing leads to another and Bill asks her to marry him then and there. They don't have a marriage ;licence however and despite Bill promising to get one first thing the morning he decides to leave her behind. When she gets into trouble however, Bill steps in.

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Plot Keywords:

national film registry | coal stoker | city in title | infidelity | floozie | 

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Taglines:

In washed the tide. Picked from the driftwood at the waterside. A woman, sullen, weary, disillusioned. And a ship's stoker, ashore for a rollicking rouser. A Josef von Sternberg masterpiece (Print Ad- The Observer, ((Newberry, SC)) 26 March 1929)

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Genres:

Crime | Drama | Film-Noir | Romance

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Certificate:

Not Rated

Did You Know?

Trivia

Assuming its copyright has not lapsed already, this film and all others produced in 1928 enter the U.S. public domain in 2024.

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Quotes

'Sugar' Steve: [Regarding Andy] He's the most even-tempered guy I ever knew - always sore!

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Alternate Versions

Video version includes new score by Gaylord Carter.

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Connections

Featured in Histoire(s) du cinéma: Les signes parmi nous (1999)

User Reviews

Shows love CAN change anything

What a good film and what good condition this film is in. The story is simple enough but delivered so well by a great cast.

Seaman(George Bancroft) gets shore leave for the night and goes looking for some fun. He saves a lady(Betty Compson) and is overwhelmed by her. One thing leads to another and he ask her out. From there all kinds of things happen. One of those things is love.

I was very impressed by Bancroft and Compson. They really seemed like they were living their parts rather than acting them out. Betty Compson was such a beautiful woman. That combined with her acting talent, I am surprise that she wasn't a big silent film star. I have never heard of her before.

I would recommend this film to all film lovers, silent and sound.

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

None English

Release Date:

29 September 1928 (USA)

Also Known As:

The Docks of New York

Filming Locations:

Paramount Studios - 5555 Melrose Avenue, Hollywood, Los Angeles, California, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

Paramount Pictures

Technical Specs

Sound Mix:

Silent

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1