A Modern Hero

Plot

Produced by Warner Bros. in 1934, A Modern Hero was the only American talkie directed by the great German filmmaker G. W. Pabst. Richard Barthelmess plays Pierre, the bastard son of blowzy, besotted circus performer Mme. Azais (Marjorie Rambeau). Fiercely ambitious, Pierre enters the world of automobile manufacturing, rising to the heights of success by callously using wealthy women to get ahead. After breaking one heart after another, Pierre is finally beaten at his own game by a disgruntled young lady who walks out on him, forcing him to admit that he's an utter flop as a human being. Jean Muir co-stars as Joanna, seduced and abandoned early in the proceedings, while other women crucial to Pierre's ascension are played by Veree Teasdale and Florence Eldredge. Based on a novel by Louis Bromfield, A Modern Hero has been correctly assessed by one of the director's devotees as having "little of Pabst in it." ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

Cast

• Richard Barthelmess - Pierre Radler
• Jean Muir - Joanna Ryan
• Marjorie Rambeau - Mme. Azais
• Veree Teasdale - Lady Claire Benson
• Florence Eldridge - Leah

Dorothy Burgess - Hazel Radler; Hobart Cavanaugh - Mueller; William Janney - Young Pierre; Theodore Newton - Elmer; J.M. Kerrigan - Ryan; Arthur Hohl - Homer Flint; Maidel Turner - Aunt Clara; Mickey Rentschler - Peter; Richard Tucker - Eggelson; Judith Vosselli - Mrs. Eggelson

Credit

Robert M. Haas - Art Director, Orry-Kelly - Costume Designer, G.W. Pabst - Director, Arthur Greville Collins - Director, James Gibbon - Editor, William Rees - Cinematographer, James Seymour - Producer, Gene Markey - Screenwriter, Kathryn Scola - Screenwriter, Louis Bromfield - Book Author

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