A gangster is put in prison, but finds salvation through music while serving his time. Again on the outside, he finds success elusive and temptations abound.A gangster is put in prison, but finds salvation through music while serving his time. Again on the outside, he finds success elusive and temptations abound.A gangster is put in prison, but finds salvation through music while serving his time. Again on the outside, he finds success elusive and temptations abound.
- Nominated for 1 Oscar
- 1 nomination total
George E. Stone
- Blackie
- (as George Stone)
Ray Turner
- Elevator Boy
- (as Raymond Turner)
Ernie Adams
- Ex-Con in Alley
- (uncredited)
Brooks Benedict
- Jerry's Guest
- (uncredited)
James Conaty
- Attorney at Trial
- (uncredited)
Richard Cramer
- Prison Radio Announcer
- (uncredited)
Oliver Cross
- Restaurant Patron
- (uncredited)
Edwards Davis
- Prison Chaplain
- (uncredited)
Sally Eilers
- Hatcheck Girl
- (uncredited)
Jim Farley
- Plainclothesman with Sergeant
- (uncredited)
Sherry Hall
- Prison Phone Operator
- (uncredited)
Chuck Hamilton
- Prison Photographer
- (uncredited)
Storyline
Did you know
- TriviaThe film is part silent, with intertitles, and part sound, which was important to feature the main character's talent as a singer, although the title song Weary River was nevertheless dubbed by a professional singer. One scene near the end features an orchestra playing on-screen on set that is a radio studio, while traditional silent movie sound is substituted for real sound. Then the scene technology audibly changes to sound recorded on film, with the same orchestra appearing to play for real (possibly dubbed) as the main character begins to sing (although he is listed as dubbed) in a radio performance that prompts his sweetheart to call the radio studio. The scene is an unusual mix of technologies during a period of transition from silents to sound.
- GoofsWhen Jerry Larrabee is brought in to the prison bathroom, there is already an inmate having a bath, who has disappeared before the scene is over.
- Quotes
Prison Warden: Oh, I know how you feel. But, things won't be half as bad if you'll only play ball with us.
- Alternate versionsFirst National also released this film in a silent version.
- SoundtracksWeary River
(1929)
Music by Louis Silvers
Lyrics by Grant Clarke
Sung by Richard Barthelmess (dubbed by Johnny Murray)
Featured review
A little old fashioned but nice...sort of like my wife when I first met her!
"Weary River" is what you might call a transitional style movie from Warner Brothers/Vitaphone. While it's not truly a full talking picture since much of it is silent and uses intertitles, some of it is sound--a bit of the dialog and the songs. This is exactly what they did previously with "The Jazz Singer" and by 1929, they'd finally be making all sound pictures. So, many of the films from the studio in 1928 would be like this...providing enough sound to please the masses...for now.
Jerry (Richard Barthelmess) is a gangster, though he dresses nice and doesn't look or sound like one. His life of crime eventually catches up to him and he's sent to prison. The warden of the place is an odd one--very progressive for the time and dedicated to fixing the cons who can be fixed. As for Jerry, he's initially dubious but soon finds a niche leading the prison's orchestra and writing music. He's so successful that he eventually becomes a radio sensation and one of his songs is a hit. Soon, he's released from prison. However, there's a strong pull from his old life--and when he finds out who set him up, he's mad enough to kill. What's next? And, how does the old warden enter the picture?
This film suffers a bit here and there because the movie is a tad overly melodramatic. And, the story wraps up too quickly and easily. Still, for the time, it's a very good picture and worth your time.
Jerry (Richard Barthelmess) is a gangster, though he dresses nice and doesn't look or sound like one. His life of crime eventually catches up to him and he's sent to prison. The warden of the place is an odd one--very progressive for the time and dedicated to fixing the cons who can be fixed. As for Jerry, he's initially dubious but soon finds a niche leading the prison's orchestra and writing music. He's so successful that he eventually becomes a radio sensation and one of his songs is a hit. Soon, he's released from prison. However, there's a strong pull from his old life--and when he finds out who set him up, he's mad enough to kill. What's next? And, how does the old warden enter the picture?
This film suffers a bit here and there because the movie is a tad overly melodramatic. And, the story wraps up too quickly and easily. Still, for the time, it's a very good picture and worth your time.
helpful•41
- planktonrules
- Mar 7, 2017
Details
- Release date
- Country of origin
- Language
- Also known as
- Sångaren från Sing-Sing
- Filming locations
- Production company
- See more company credits at IMDbPro
- Runtime1 hour 26 minutes
- Color
- Aspect ratio
- 1.33 : 1
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