The Charlatan (1929 film)
The Charlatan is a 1929 part-talkie film directed by George Melford for Universal Pictures. It starred Holmes E. Herbert, Margaret Livingston and Rockliffe Fellowes. The film is based on the 1923 play The Charlatan by Leonard Praskins and Ernest Pascal.[1]
The Charlatan | |
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Directed by | George Melford |
Screenplay by | J. G. Hawks[1] Tom Reed |
Based on | The Charlatan by
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Starring |
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Cinematography | George Robinson |
Edited by |
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Production company | |
Distributed by | Universal Pictures |
Release date |
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Country | United States[1] |
Plot
A wealthy socialite invites a carnival sideshow performer named Count Merlin to entertain her guests at a party. As the night goes on, a murder occurs and a dark secret from Merlin's past is revealed.
Cast
- Holmes Herbert - as Count Merlin (aka Peter Dwight)
- Margaret Livingston - as Florence
- Rockliffe Fellowes - as Richard Talbot
- Philo McCullough - as Dr. Paynter
- Anita Garvin - as Mrs. Paynter
- Crauford Kent - as Frank Deering
- Frank Mackaye - as Jerry Starke
- Dorothy Gould - as Ann Talbot
- Rose Tapley - as Mrs. Deering[2]
Production
The film was based on the play The Charlatan by Ernest Pascal and Leonard Praskins.[1] The play was adapted by Robert N. Lee with dialogue by Jack Rollens and Tom Reed and intertitled by Reed.[1] Universal designed the film as one of their Jewel Productions for 1929.[2]
Release
The Charlatan was first released on April 7, 1929 as a silent feature and then re-released on April 14, 1929 as a part talkie and part silent film.[3] The silent version ran 64 minutes.[4] The April 14 partial sound release had a 60-minute running time with a review in Variety stating that about 15 minutes of the film contained dialogue.[1]
References
- "The Charlatan". American Film Institute. Retrieved January 8, 2019.
- Workman, Christopher; Howarth, Troy (2016). Tome of Terror: Horror Films of the Silent Era. Midnight Marquee Press. p. 338. ISBN 978-1936168-68-2.
- https://www.silentera.com/PSFL/data/C/Charlatan1929.html
- Soister, John T. (2005). Of Gods and Monsters: A Critical Guide to Universal Studios' Science Fiction.
Released April 7, 1929 (as a silent), and 14 April 1929 (as a part-talkie); 64 minutes (silent)/60 minutes