Night Watch | |
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![]() Film poster | |
Directed by | Alexander Korda |
Written by | Lajos Bíró (continuity) Dwinelle Benthall (titles) Rufus McCosh (titles) |
Based on | 'In the Night Watch 1921 play by Michael Morton Veille d'Armes 1917 play by Claude Farrère and Lucien Nepoty |
Produced by | Ned Marin |
Starring | Billie Dove Paul Lukas Donald Reed Nicholas Soussanin |
Cinematography | Karl Struss |
Edited by | George McGuire |
Music by | Emil Bierman Mortimer Wilson |
Production company | |
Distributed by | First National Pictures [1] Warner Bros. Pictures |
Release date |
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Running time | 72 minutes [1] |
Country | United States |
Languages | Silent English intertitles |
Night Watch is a 1928 American drama film directed by Alexander Korda and starring Billie Dove, Paul Lukas and Donald Reed. It was an adaptation of the dramatic 1921 play In the Night Watch, written by Michael Morton. The film is set almost entirely on a French warship at the beginning of the First World War. [2] Although largely a silent film, Night Watch was the first of Korda's films to feature sound effects and music but no dialogue from Vitaphone. [2] [3]
On the night of August 1, 1914, Commander Corlaix of the French Navy and his wife, Yvonne, arrange a shipboard dinner for the officers of his cruiser. Afterward, Lieutenant D'Artelle asks Yvonne to stay on board with him, and when Corlaix (learning by classified wireless that war has been declared) abruptly orders her from the ship, she goes instead with D'Artelle to his cabin. The ship is sunk by a torpedo, and Corlaix is brought before the Admiralty Court on charges of incompetence. Yvonne comes forward to testify and, by compromising herself, proves her husband's adherence to duty. Corlaix, realizing Yvonne's great love for him, forgives her for her indiscretions, and they are reunited.
A print of Night Watch is preserved at Cineteca Italiana in Milan. [4]
The Black Pirate is a 1926 American silent action adventure film shot entirely in two-color Technicolor about an adventurer and a "company" of pirates. Directed by Albert Parker, it stars Douglas Fairbanks, Donald Crisp, Sam De Grasse, and Billie Dove. In 1993, The Black Pirate was included in the annual selection of 25 motion pictures to be added to the National Film Registry of the Library of Congress, being deemed "culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant."
Sir Alexander Korda was a Hungarian–born British film director, producer and screenwriter, who founded his own film production studios and film distribution company.
Zoltan Korda was a Hungarian-born motion picture screenwriter, director and producer. He made his first film in Hungary in 1918, and worked with his brother Alexander Korda on film-making there and in London. They both moved to the United States in 1940 to Hollywood and the American film industry.
Herbert Banemann Rawlinson was an English-born stage, film, radio, and television actor. A leading man during Hollywood's silent film era, Rawlinson transitioned to character roles after the advent of sound films.
The Love Mart is a 1927 American silent drama film directed by George Fitzmaurice starring Billie Dove, Gilbert Roland and Noah Beery, and featuring Boris Karloff. The film is lost.
The Woman from Monte Carlo is an American pre-Code film produced by Warner Bros. subsidiary First National Pictures in 1931 and released on January 9, 1932. It was directed by Michael Curtiz and gave top billing to German star Lil Dagover in her sole Hollywood film. Leading men Walter Huston and Warren William were listed after the title in the manner of supporting players.
All the Brothers Were Valiant is a 1923 American silent sea adventure and romantic drama film starring Lon Chaney. The film was produced and distributed by Metro Pictures corporation and directed by Irvin Willat. The cast also features Malcolm McGregor, Billie Dove and Robert McKim. The screenplay was written by Julien Josephson, based on the eponymous novel by Ben Ames Williams. The film was also known as Cold Courage.
The Stolen Bride is a surviving 1927 American silent drama film directed by Alexander Korda and starring Billie Dove, Lloyd Hughes, and Armand Kaliz. The film is a Hungarian-set romance across classes, where an aristocrat and a peasant fall in love.
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American Beauty is a lost 1927 American silent film romantic drama produced and distributed by First National Pictures. This film was directed by Richard Wallace and starred Billie Dove. It is based on a short story American Beauty by Wallace Irwin. Walter McGrail and Margaret Livingston are also in the cast.
One Night at Susie's is a 1930 American pre-Code drama film released by First National Pictures and directed by John Francis Dillon. The movie stars Billie Dove and features Douglas Fairbanks Jr., Helen Ware and Tully Marshall.
Adoration is a 1928 American synchronized sound drama film with a Vitaphone musical score and sound effects. The film was released by First National Pictures, a subsidiary of Warner Bros., and directed by Frank Lloyd. It stars Billie Dove, Antonio Moreno, Emile Chautard and Lucy Doraine. The film was also issued in a shorter silent version for theatres that were not yet wired for sound.
The Lady Who Dared is a 1931 American pre-Code drama film directed by William Beaudine and starring Billie Dove, Sidney Blackmer and Conway Tearle.
Let's Get a Divorce is a 1918 American silent comedy film starring Billie Burke and written for the screen by husband and wife team John Emerson and Anita Loos. The film was produced by the Famous Players-Lasky company and distributed through Paramount Pictures.
The Folly of Vanity is a 1924 American silent drama film codirected by Maurice Elvey and Henry Otto and starring Billie Dove and Betty Blythe. It was produced and distributed by the Fox Film Corporation. The film is divided into two sections, the modern part which was directed by Elvey and the underwater fantasy section directed by Otto.
The Marriage Clause is a 1926 silent film drama directed by Lois Weber and starring Francis X. Bushman and Billie Dove. It was produced and released by Universal Pictures. The film marked a return to directing for Weber, who had taken a break for a few years.
Veille d'armes is a 1935 French drama film directed by Marcel L'Herbier and starring Annabella and Victor Francen.