Weary River

• Richard Barthelmess: Jerry Larrabee
• Betty Compson: Alice
• William Holden: warden

Weary River is an American film drama from the year 1929. The screenplay is based on a story by Courtney Riley Cooper.

Action

The smuggler Jerry Larrabee is betrayed by a rival to the police and go to jail. The guards are friendly and let that Jerry turns to the music. He formed a prison band whose music is even spread over the radio. The audience are very touched by the soulful songs sings Jerry. His success brings with it that he is released early from prison.

Jerry tries at the Vaudeville Theatre to gain a foothold, but he fails. He achieved various jobs, always on the run from his own past. But in the end he turns back to his old gang and rejoins his former girlfriend Alice. The jailer tries to bring back Jerry on the right path, this is helped by Alice. Jerry manages to is a star of radio and marries Alice.

Criticism

Mordaunt Hall of the New York Times described the film as banal prison history. Richard Barthelmess Although sing quite well, but to compensate for the lack of imagination and excitement in this film, it needs a better singer and a better song.

Awards

In the second Oscar in 1930 Frank Lloyd was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Director.

Background

The premiere took place on 10 February 1929.

In a small supporting role Randolph Scott can be seen in one of his first film roles.

Richard Barthelmess sang three songs in the film. However, it was not to hear his voice, but the voice of Johnny Murray. The songs Weary River and It 's Up to You by Louis Silvers were ( melody ) and Grant Clark composed ( text).

The film character of Jerry Larrabee is based on the pianist Harry Snodgrass, who learned to play the piano in a prison in Missouri and his music spread over the radio.