Weary River (1929)
Remember "The Prisoner's Song"? Remember how it was written in prison and how it swept the radio loud speakers of the land? Courtney Riley Cooper seems to have based his "Weary River" upon the incident. The brash young gangster of "Weary River" is sent to prison, reforms, writes a song,' sings it over the radio and wins a pardon. His golden voice redeems his blonde lady love.
The chief interest of "Weary River" lies in the fact that Richard Barthelmess talks and sings the chief role. He really talks, but the vocalism is a neat piece of song doubling. Barthelmess does splendidly in his first talking appearance.
Betty Compson is the blonde who shares the gangster's jovs and sorrows. A strong hit is contributed by William Holden as the prison warden.
Photoplay April 1929
Vintage magazines
Photoplay , February 1929
Photoplay , March 1929
Photoplay , April 1929
Photoplay , April 1929
Books with substantial mentioning of Weary River
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James Robert Parish Prison Pictures from Hollywood, Plots, Critiques, Casts and Credits for 293 Theatrical and Made-for-Television Releases Jefferson, North Carolina, and London, 1991 |
Books with an entry on Weary River
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Larry Langman and Daniel Finn A Guide to American Crime Films of the Thirties Westport, Connecticut - London, 1995 |
