Thunderbolt (1929)
91 mins | Melodrama | 22 June 1929
Cast:
George Bancroft, Fay Wray, Richard Arlen [ More ]Director:
Josef von SternbergWriters:
Charles Furthman, Jules FurthmanCinematographer:
Henry GerrardEditor:
Helen LewisProduction Company:
Paramount Famous Lasky Corp.Paramount Pictures owner Jesse L. Lasky released a statement in the 18 Jan 1929 FD about a fire that occurred the day before, destroying a newly built stage on the Paramount lot in Hollywood, CA. Lasky declared that not even a “single hour’s delay” would occur with the 1929 production schedule, as the “recording apparatus” used for sound pictures was located in another building. Thunderbolt, then referred to as a yet-to-be-titled George Bancroft-Josef von Sternberg picture, was given an 11 Mar 1929 start date.
The 27 Jan 1929 FD, which referred to the film by its new title, Thunderbolt, reported that both a silent and an all-talking version would be produced. Patrick Kearney was listed as the dialogue writer; however, only Herman J. Mankiewicz was credited in reviews for contributing dialogue. The length of the silent version was given as 7,311 and 7,313 feet.
Reviews confirmed that both silent and sound versions were produced. The 15 Jun 1929 Motion Picture News review announced a 22 Jun 1929 release date. The film was declared a “corking entertainment” in the 30 Jun 1929 FD review, which noted von Sternberg’s “intelligent direction.”
George Bancroft received an Academy Award nomination for his performance in Thunderbolt, at the second Academy Awards ceremony held in 1930. ...
Paramount Pictures owner Jesse L. Lasky released a statement in the 18 Jan 1929 FD about a fire that occurred the day before, destroying a newly built stage on the Paramount lot in Hollywood, CA. Lasky declared that not even a “single hour’s delay” would occur with the 1929 production schedule, as the “recording apparatus” used for sound pictures was located in another building. Thunderbolt, then referred to as a yet-to-be-titled George Bancroft-Josef von Sternberg picture, was given an 11 Mar 1929 start date.
The 27 Jan 1929 FD, which referred to the film by its new title, Thunderbolt, reported that both a silent and an all-talking version would be produced. Patrick Kearney was listed as the dialogue writer; however, only Herman J. Mankiewicz was credited in reviews for contributing dialogue. The length of the silent version was given as 7,311 and 7,313 feet.
Reviews confirmed that both silent and sound versions were produced. The 15 Jun 1929 Motion Picture News review announced a 22 Jun 1929 release date. The film was declared a “corking entertainment” in the 30 Jun 1929 FD review, which noted von Sternberg’s “intelligent direction.”
George Bancroft received an Academy Award nomination for his performance in Thunderbolt, at the second Academy Awards ceremony held in 1930.
Thunderbolt Jim Lang, wanted on robbery and murder charges, ventures out with his girl, "Ritzy," to a Harlem nightclub, where she informs him that she is going straight. During a raid on the club, Thunderbolt escapes. His gang shadows Ritzy and reports that she is living with Mrs. Morgan, whose son, Bob, a bank clerk, is in love with Ritzy. Fearing for Bob's safety, Ritzy engineers a police trap for Thunderbolt; he escapes but is later captured, tried, and sentenced to be executed at Sing Sing. From the death house, he successfully plots to frame Bob in a bank robbery and killing. Bob is placed in the facing cell, and guards frustrate Thunderbolt's attempts to get to his rival. When Ritzy marries Bob in the death house, Thunderbolt pretends repentance, confessing his part in Bob's conviction. He plots to kill the boy on the night of his execution, but instead his hand falls on his shoulder in a gesture of ...
Thunderbolt Jim Lang, wanted on robbery and murder charges, ventures out with his girl, "Ritzy," to a Harlem nightclub, where she informs him that she is going straight. During a raid on the club, Thunderbolt escapes. His gang shadows Ritzy and reports that she is living with Mrs. Morgan, whose son, Bob, a bank clerk, is in love with Ritzy. Fearing for Bob's safety, Ritzy engineers a police trap for Thunderbolt; he escapes but is later captured, tried, and sentenced to be executed at Sing Sing. From the death house, he successfully plots to frame Bob in a bank robbery and killing. Bob is placed in the facing cell, and guards frustrate Thunderbolt's attempts to get to his rival. When Ritzy marries Bob in the death house, Thunderbolt pretends repentance, confessing his part in Bob's conviction. He plots to kill the boy on the night of his execution, but instead his hand falls on his shoulder in a gesture of friendship.
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