The Yellow Ticket (1931)
In 1913 Russia, a Jewish girl named Mary Kalish (played by Elissa Landi) learns that her father is dying in a prison in St. Petersburg. As Jews are not allowed to travel without passports, Mary is forced to obtain a "yellow ticket" intended for prostitutes in order to visit her father. Upon arrival, she discovers that her father has passed away. In an effort to keep her mother unaware of her ticket, Mary chooses to stay and find work. She then meets and falls in love with Julian Rolfe (played by Laurence Olivier), a British journalist. After hearing Mary's story, Julian writes a series of articles exposing the poor conditions in Russia.
This angers Baron Andrey (played by Lionel Barrymore), the head of the Czar's secret police, who threatens to imprison Julian. When Baron Andrey tries to seduce Mary, she kills him. The couple then takes advantage of the Austrian invasion of Russia and escapes to England.
Vintage magazines
Photoplay , December 1931
Photoplay , January 1932
Books with substantial mentioning of The Yellow Ticket
|
Jerry Vermilye The Complete Films of Laurence Olivier Secaucus, NJ, 1992 |
|
|
Richard Bojarski and Kenneth Beals The Films of Boris Karloff Secaucus, NJ, 1974 |
|
Books with an entry on The Yellow Ticket
|
Aubrey Solomon The Fox Film Corporation, 1915-1935, A history and filmography Jefferson, N.C., 2011 |
