The Docks of New York

The Docks of New York
File:The-Docks-of-New-York-Poster.jpg Original film poster
Directed by	Josef von Sternberg
Written by	Jules Furthman
Based on	The Dock Walloper by John Monk Saunders
Starring	George Bancroft Betty Compson Olga Baclanova
Cinematography	Harold Rosson
Distributed by	Paramount Pictures
Release dates	September 16, 1928 (1928-09-16)
Running time	76 min
Country	United States
Language	Silent film English intertitles

The Docks of New York (1928) is a silent drama film directed by Josef von Sternberg and starring George Bancroft, Betty Compson, and Olga Baclanova. The movie was adapted by Jules Furthman from the John Monk Saunders story The Dock Walloper.

Plot

File:The Docks of New York lobby card.jpg

Lobby card for The Docks of New York

An incredibly strong ship stoker named Bill (George Bancroft) saves a beautiful prostitute Mae (Betty Compson) from drowning during his one night of shore leave. She was attempting suicide as she had no money, almost no clothes and felt remorse about her life up to then. He steals some clothes for her and invites her out for a "good night". They go to a bustling wharf pub and that evening they spontaneously get married by a minister invited to the pub.

The next morning Bill must go back to sea. Mae is disappointed, but he says he was "just having a good time". He also says he couldn't be serious about staying with her and fulfilling his marriage vows because his job keeps him at sea.

Bill's ship sets out, but before it leaves the city harbor, events help him to decide...he must not leave her. Swimming ashore, he goes to the tavern and asks "Where is my Wife?". One patron directs him to the local Night Court. She had been accused of stealing the clothes that he had actually stolen for her. The judge sentences her to 30 days in jail, then Bill speaks up and says that he had stolen the clothes. The irritated judge gives him 60 days for theft. Bill says he will do the time for her; as he is led away, she pledges to "wait forever" for him.

Cast

• George Bancroft – Bill Roberts
• Betty Compson – Mae
• Olga Baclanova – Lou (Andy's wife)
• Clyde Cook – "Sugar" Steve (Bill's buddy)
• Mitchell Lewis – Andy (the third engineer)
• Gustav von Seyffertitz – "Hymn Book" Harry

Uncredited

• Richard Alexander – Lou's Sweetheart
• May Foster – Mrs. Crimp
• George Irving – Night Court Judge
• John Kelly – Sailor Barfly
• Charles McMurphy – Policeman
• Guy Oliver – The Crimp
• Bob Reeves – Court Bailiff
• Lillian Worth – Steve's Girl

Reception

The New York Times gave The Docks of New York a positive review, however, they noted some minor goofs and a preposterous ending.

Accolades

In 1999, the film was deemed "culturally historically, or aesthetically significant" by the United States Library of Congress and selected for preservation in the National Film Registry.

External links

• The Docks of New York at IMDb
• The Docks of New York at AllMovie
• The Docks of New York at Virtual History
• lobby poster advertisement