The Docks of New York (1928)

User Rating:

8.1/10   

Director:

Josef von Sternberg

Writers:

Jules Furthman (writer)
John Monk Saunders (story)

Release Date:

29 September 1928 (USA)

Genre:

Drama | Crime

Plot:

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

Plot Keywords:

Waterfront | Suicide Attempt | Gangster

Awards:

2 wins

Cast

George Bancroft	...	Bill Roberts
Betty Compson	...	Mae
Olga Baclanova	...	Lou
Clyde Cook	...	'Sugar' Steve
Mitchell Lewis	...	Andy, the Third Engineer
Gustav von Seyffertitz	...	Hymn Book Harry
Guy Oliver	...	The Crimp
May Foster	...	Mrs. Crimp
Lillian Worth	...	Steve's Girl

Runtime:

USA:76 min | Argentina:76 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Sound Mix:

Silent

Certification:

Argentina:13

Company:

Paramount Pictures

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?

Wonderful, engaging film

I thoroughly enjoyed "The Docks of New York." Betty Compson's portrayal of a disillusioned prostitute is riveting and clearly shows why she appeared in as many silent films as she did. She truly was a great silent star. She is good to look at and I found myself very much caring about what happened to her character. It is no wonder her image appeared on so many postcards and photographs from the 1920s. I think she was a bigger star during the silent era than most people today realize.

George Bancroft swaggers convincingly throughout. His is a strong, no-nonsense presence. Clyde Cook, known mostly for his many silent comedy films, is convincing as Bancroft's apprehensive and harried pal. Mitchell Lewis, as the third engineer who desires Compson, is appropriately menacing. Olga Baclanova, as his estranged wife, is also quite good.

The scenes in the boiler room of the ship well evoke the hazards and hardships of what must have been back-breaking labor.

The tavern scenes are raucous and animated and clearly depict the more tawdry aspects of such places. The juxtaposition of this setting, with its boisterous, cynical patrons and the hopeful act of marriage that takes place there, is masterful.

Favorite scene: On the morning after their "marriage" Compson offers to sew Bancroft's torn shirt pocket before he goes off to sea but can't see to thread the needle through her tears. He threads the needle for her; she then kneels between his legs and sews the pocket. The intimacy of this act, and the emotions it generates in both, is far more powerful than what we imagine took place in their bed the night before.

Great stuff!