Noah's Ark (1928)

The Biblical story of Noah and the Great Flood, with a parallel story of soldiers in the First World War.

Directors:

Michael Curtiz, Darryl F. Zanuck (uncredited)

Writers:

Darryl F. Zanuck (story) (as Darryl Francis Zanuck), Anthony Coldeway (adaptation) (as Anthony Coldewey)

Stars:

Dolores Costello, George O'Brien, Noah Beery

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Dolores Costello	...	Marie / Miriam
George O'Brien	...	Travis / Japheth
Noah Beery	...	Nickoloff / King Nephilim
Louise Fazenda	...	Hilda / Tavern Maid
Guinn 'Big Boy' Williams	...	Al / Ham (as Gwynn Williams)
Paul McAllister	...	Minister / Noah
Myrna Loy	...	Dancer / Slave Girl
Anders Randolf	...	The German / Leader of Soldiers
Armand Kaliz	...	The Frenchman / Leader of the King's Guard
William V. Mong	...	Innkeeper / Guard
Malcolm Waite	...	The Balkan / Shem
Nigel De Brulier	...	Soldier / High Priest
Noble Johnson	...	Slave Broker
Otto Hoffman	...	Investor with Gun / Trader
Rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Rosita Delmar

Storyline

After a short split prologue showing riches as the root of evil in ancient and modern times, the film settles into 1914 France, where the Orient Express is about to be wrecked when a bridge washes out. Among those on board are Al and Travis, Americans who are traveling Europe spending Travis' money, and Marie, a German girl. The boys save Marie after the wreck and Travis falls in love with her. When World War I breaks out Al wants to enlist, but Travis can't, feeling loyal to Marie, a German. By 1917 Al has enlisted, and Travis follows him shortly after marrying Marie. Accused of being a German spy by a Russian agent, she is sentenced to die but is recognized by Travis, who is part of the firing squad. The town they are in is shelled and they are all trapped underground, during which a minister makes a lengthy parallel to ancient times when the King of Akkad persecuted his subjects and defied Jehovah, who finally sends a flood to wipe out mankind, except for Noah and his family, whom ...

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Plot Keywords:

windstorm | flood | spy | parallel story | orient express | 

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Taglines:

Greater than "THE TEN COMMANDMENTS" The Biggest Spectacle Ever Made (Print Ad- Huon Times, ((Franklin, Tasmania)) 13 December 1929)

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Genres:

Drama | War

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Certificate:

Passed

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

23 August 1929 (Ireland)

Also Known As:

Noah's Ark

Filming Locations:

Warner Brothers Burbank Studios - 4000 Warner Boulevard, Burbank, California, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$1,005,000 (estimated)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Warner Bros.

Technical Specs

Runtime:

135 min 75 min (re-release) (1957) 100 min (1990s restoration)

Sound Mix:

Mono (Western Electric Apparatus) (talking sequences, musical score and sound effects)

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Myrna Loy, although credited only for her small part in the sound sequences, also appears in the silent portion as a golden-winged dancer before the sacrificial altar.

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Goofs

During the flood sequence (1 hr. 29 min. approx.) Japheth (George O'Brien) is clearly repeatedly calling/mouthing "Maria" as he searches for Dolores Costello. Her name in the Biblical sequence is MIRIAM. (And even in the WW1 story, she is named Marie (Not Maria !).)

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Quotes

Travis: You can't do this Al. Listen, ol' fellow, you can't go without me. You haven't forgotten. We promised to stick together.
Al: The only way we can stick together, Travis, is for you to go my way.

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Alternate Versions

A restored version, which airs from time to time on Turner Classic Movies, includes most of the talking sequences, which were all cut from the original for the film's re-release in 1957. It also gives credit to the Vitaphone Orchestra before the Warner Bors. logo card, citing the use of the system's "Western Electric Apparatus". This version is 99 minutes long.

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Connections

Featured in Myrna Loy: So Nice to Come Home to (1991)

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Soundtracks

K-K-K-Katy
(1918) (uncredited)
Written by Geoffrey O'Hara
Played at the theater and sung by the soldiers

User Reviews

A PAINFUL PRODUCTION

So many people were injured in shooting the biblical sequences for this film that star Delores Costello always referred to it as "FLOOD, MUD AND BLOOD"

This film was made in the transitional period between silent and sound film so talking sequences were added to keep the film contemporary.