The Charlatan (1929 film)
1929 film
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The Charlatan is a 1929 sound part-talkie crime thriller film directed by George Melford for Universal Pictures. In addition to sequences with audible dialogue or talking sequences, the film features a synchronized musical score and sound effects along with English intertitles. The soundtrack was recorded using the Western Electric sound-on-film system. The film 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]
Tom Reed
- Holmes Herbert
- Margaret Livingston
- Rockcliffe Fellowes
| The Charlatan | |
|---|---|
| Directed by | George Melford |
| Screenplay by | J. G. Hawks[1] Tom Reed |
| Based on | |
| 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] |
| Languages | Sound (Part-Talkie) English Intertitles |
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 released on April 14, 1929, as a part talkie featuring thirty percent of its running time with audible dialogue or talking sequences.[3][unreliable source?] [4] The film had a 60-minute running time with a review in Variety stating that about 15 minutes of the film contained dialogue.[5]
