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

In 1999, The Docks of New York (1928) was deemed "culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant" by the United States Library of Congress, and selected for preservation in the National Film Registry.

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Quotes

Bill Roberts: Are you goin' to let me have a good time in my own quiet way, or must I take this place apart?

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Alternate Versions

Video version includes new score by Gaylord Carter.

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Connections

Featured in Hollywood Mavericks (1990)

User Reviews

Impressive acting

For me, this comes a close second to "Underworld" in Sternberg's films: the twists and turns of the melodramatic plot become ultimately a little too much for me to swallow (a twist too far?), and I found some of the camera devices simply distracting, but even so the film is more or less won by virtue of the impressive acting from all concerned. Betty Compson (who was soon to receive a well-deserved Oscar nomination for her role in the part-talkie "The Barker") stands out as the fragile, cynical girl who has "had too many good times" already but allows herself to believe in the possibility of redemption; Baclanova is memorable as the petty officer's deserted wife, while George Bancroft is a cheerful, callous but not unkindly Colossus of a stoker. The weary, sensitive features of Gustav von Seyffertitz, in a small role as the threadbare Bible-basher who ministers to this godless 'flock', also make a strong impression. The film is almost all atmosphere, but it is atmosphere well-done.

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

None English

Release Date:

29 September 1928 (USA)

Also Known As:

Die Docks von 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