New York Nights
AMG AllMovie Guide:
Top
New York Nights
Plot
Terrified at the prospect of making her talking-picture debut, silent-screen queen Norma Talmadge spent several months taking diction lessons before shooting commenced on New York Nights. The results were negligible: though she managed to keep her thick Brooklyn accent in check, Talmadge was ultimately defeated by the banalities of the script. Based on the stage play Tin Pan Alley, the film casts Talmadge as Broadway musical star Jill Deverne, the wife of struggling composer Fred Deverne (Gilbert Roland). Her new husband's drinking problem causes our heroine to seek solace in the arms of gangster Joe Prividi (John Wray), but after a bloody gangland shootout (filmed on location at New York's 125th Street Station), Jill is more than happy to return to the now-repentant Fred. After a second talkie attempt, Dubarry: Women of Passion, Norma Talmadge, a millionaire several times over, wisely elected to retire from films. ~ Hal Erickson, RoviCast
- Norma Talmadge - Jill Deverne
- Gilbert Roland - Fred Deverne
- John Wray - Joe Prividi
- Lilyan Tashman - Peggy
- Mary Doran - Ruthie Day
Credit
Lewis Milestone - Director, Hal Kern - Editor, Al Jolson - Songwriter, Ballard MacDonald - Songwriter, Dave Dryer - Songwriter, Ray June - Cinematographer, Joseph M. Schenck - Producer, Jules Furthman - Screenwriter, Hugh Stange - Play Author| New York Minute (2004 Film), New York Memories (2010 Film) | |
| New York Nights (1984 Film), New York Noir: The History of Black New York (2008 Film) |
Wikipedia on Answers.com:
Top
New York Nights
| New York Nights | |
|---|---|
 Theatrical poster |
|
| Directed by | Lewis Milestone |
| Produced by | Joseph M. Schenck Norma Talmadge |
| Written by | Play: Hugh Stanislaus Stange Screenplay: Jules Furthman |
| Starring | Norma Talmadge |
| Cinematography | Ray June |
| Editing by | Hal C. Kern |
| Distributed by | United Artists |
| Release date(s) | December 28, 1929 |
| Running time | 81 minutes[1] |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
New York Nights is a 1929 crime film directed by Lewis Milestone. It is based on 1928 play Tin Pan Alley by Hugh Stanislaus Stange.[2] The film is known for being leading actress Norma Talmadge's first sound film.
|
Contents
|
Plot
Jill Deverne is a chorus girl married to alcoholic composer Fred. She wants to show Fred's latest song, A Year From Today, to racketeer Joe Prividi. Prividi is the producer of the musical show she is working in and agrees to use his song. Fred, however, refuses any favours and rejects Prividi's offer. When Prividi uses the song anyway, Fred and his friend Johnny Dolan become drunk and show up at a nightclub.
In a raid, the police discover Fred with chorus girl Ruthie. Jill is disgusted with his behavior and dumps him. She is soon courted by Prividi, who is very overprotective. At a private party, a gambler forces himself on her and is shot by Prividi. Prividi is arrested and sent to jail. Jill doesn't want to be left behind and plans a future with Fred. Prividi becomes jealous and sends gunmen to shoot and kill Fred. He is eventually stopped and put in jail, while Jill and Fred ride off in a train to start a new life.
Song
A Year From Today, the song featured in the film, was composed by Al Jolson, Dave Dreyer and Ballard McDonald. It was sung in four different styles in the movie.
Cast
- Norma Talmadge as Jill Deverne
- Gilbert Roland as Fred Deverne
- John Wray as Joe Prividi
- Lilyan Tashman as Peggy
- Mary Doran as Ruthie Day
- Roscoe Karns as Johnny Dolan
Release
The film was highly publicized as Talmadge's first talkie. The film, however, received generally negative reviews. Variety praised Talmadge's acting, but called the film a "stiff test" for her. Photoplay wrote that her fans wouldn't be disappointed with her voice, but stated the story was "full of hokum".[3]
References
- ^ Turner Classic Movies Original Print Information for New York Nights (1929)
- ^ Turner Classic Movies Screenplay Info for New York Nights (1929)
- ^ The Norma Talmadge Website Review from Variety & Photoplay
External links
This entry is from Wikipedia, the leading user-contributed encyclopedia. It may not have been reviewed by professional editors (see full disclaimer)
Post a question - any question - to the WikiAnswers community:
Copyrights:
AMG AllMovie Guide
Copyright © 2012 All Media Guide, LLC. Content provided by All Movie Guide ®, a trademark of All Media Guide, LLC. All rights reserved.
Read more
Mentioned in
Nicholas Cortland
(Actor, Drama/Horror)
New York Lights
(2000 Album by Hendrik Muerkens)
New York Nights
(1984 Drama Film)
New York Nights
(1929 Crime Film)
Café Pierre Trio
(1982 Album by Bucky Pizzarelli)
» More