The Squall (1929)
104 mins | Melodrama | 26 May 1929
Cast:
Myrna Loy, Richard Tucker, Alice Joyce [ More ]Director:
Alexander KordaWriter:
Bradley KingCinematographer:
John F. SeitzEditor:
Edward SchroederProduction Company:
First National Pictures, Inc.The film was based on the 1926 play, The Squall by Jean Bart. An item in the 28 January 1928 Motion Picture News reported the purchase of screen rights by First National Pictures. According to a studio production chart in the 2 February 1929 Exhibitors Herald-World, production began on 4 January 1929.
Nearly six months later, the 17 June 1928 and 19 June 1928 editions of Film Daily stated that the upcoming production was to be an all-talking “Firnatone” feature, with Wid Gunning as production manager and continuity by Lajos Biro. Firnatone was a synchronized disc recording device, similar to the Vitaphone system developed by Warner Bros. Pictures, which acquired a controlling interest in First National during September 1928.
On 26 November 1928, Exhibitors Daily Review reported that writer Bradley King had replaced Lajos Biro. The 4 January 1929 and 10 January 1929 issues of Film Daily noted the impending start of principal photography using the Vitaphone system; King had since completed her adaptation. Marcia Harris was listed as a cast member in the 23 January 1929 Film Daily.
Production was underway by 17 February 1929, as stated in that day’s edition of the Washington Post. Its completion was reported in the 30 April 1929 Film Daily. The 20 July 1929 Hollywood Filmograph revealed that star Myrna Loy was asked to sing the picture’s theme song, “Gypsy Charmer,” on screen after coworkers heard her humming it.
The Squall was released on 26 May 1929, preceded by ...
The film was based on the 1926 play, The Squall by Jean Bart. An item in the 28 January 1928 Motion Picture News reported the purchase of screen rights by First National Pictures. According to a studio production chart in the 2 February 1929 Exhibitors Herald-World, production began on 4 January 1929.
Nearly six months later, the 17 June 1928 and 19 June 1928 editions of Film Daily stated that the upcoming production was to be an all-talking “Firnatone” feature, with Wid Gunning as production manager and continuity by Lajos Biro. Firnatone was a synchronized disc recording device, similar to the Vitaphone system developed by Warner Bros. Pictures, which acquired a controlling interest in First National during September 1928.
On 26 November 1928, Exhibitors Daily Review reported that writer Bradley King had replaced Lajos Biro. The 4 January 1929 and 10 January 1929 issues of Film Daily noted the impending start of principal photography using the Vitaphone system; King had since completed her adaptation. Marcia Harris was listed as a cast member in the 23 January 1929 Film Daily.
Production was underway by 17 February 1929, as stated in that day’s edition of the Washington Post. Its completion was reported in the 30 April 1929 Film Daily. The 20 July 1929 Hollywood Filmograph revealed that star Myrna Loy was asked to sing the picture’s theme song, “Gypsy Charmer,” on screen after coworkers heard her humming it.
The Squall was released on 26 May 1929, preceded by a 9 May 1929 opening at the Central Theatre in New York City. The 13 July 1929 Motion Picture News indicated that the feature ran thirty-seven days and earned a total of $53,112.50. A silent version was released on 23 June 1929.
According to the Library of Congress American Silent Feature Film Survival Database, this film is extant.
The serene love of Hungarian farmer Josef Lajos and his wife, Maria, the youthful romance of their son, Paul, with Irma, and the betrothal of their servants, Peter and Lena, are suddenly interrupted by a "squall" and the arrival of a gypsy camp. The squall is in the person of Nubi, an exotic, amoral beauty who finds sanctuary with the Lajos family under the pretense that she is escaping the gypsies, who kidnapped her as a child. Peter is the first to succumb to her charms, recklessly spending hours in the field with her and stealing money to buy her trinkets. Nubi ultimately has him fired by claiming that he forced himself on her. She then turns to Paul, a college student, who loses interest in his studies and in Irma. Finally, Josef submits to her charms. When a veritable storm threatens, a gypsy named El Moro enters the house, declaring that he has been married to Nubi for four years and that she is the daughter of a chieftain. He goes on to reveal that she has perpetrated the same ruse with other families. As Nubi and her mocking laughter subside, the sun breaks through the clouds and all is serene ...
The serene love of Hungarian farmer Josef Lajos and his wife, Maria, the youthful romance of their son, Paul, with Irma, and the betrothal of their servants, Peter and Lena, are suddenly interrupted by a "squall" and the arrival of a gypsy camp. The squall is in the person of Nubi, an exotic, amoral beauty who finds sanctuary with the Lajos family under the pretense that she is escaping the gypsies, who kidnapped her as a child. Peter is the first to succumb to her charms, recklessly spending hours in the field with her and stealing money to buy her trinkets. Nubi ultimately has him fired by claiming that he forced himself on her. She then turns to Paul, a college student, who loses interest in his studies and in Irma. Finally, Josef submits to her charms. When a veritable storm threatens, a gypsy named El Moro enters the house, declaring that he has been married to Nubi for four years and that she is the daughter of a chieftain. He goes on to reveal that she has perpetrated the same ruse with other families. As Nubi and her mocking laughter subside, the sun breaks through the clouds and all is serene again.
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