Noah’s Ark ( Noah’s Ark ) is an American film directed by Michael Curtiz , released in 1928 .
Probably the most spectacular film ever produced by Hollywood, with an epic staging on behalf of the Warner, which produces here one of the most gigantic films in its history. Some scenes are still today some of the most incredible ever projected on a screen.
In this film, actress Dolores Costello (grandmother of actress Drew Barrymore), who will be a decade later in The Splendor of Amberson by Orson Welles , and the favorite actor of John Ford : George O O’Brien ( the iron Horse , Three Sublime Scoundrels ), which had been the unforgettable interpreter of the legendary film Murnau : the Dawn .
Synopsis
The story of Noah ‘s Ark in parallel with the First World War .
Extreme abuse of extras
At that time filming without strict security rules, some paid the special effects at a high price. Thus, the director, Michael Curtiz , (who realized among others Casablanca), has some deaths on the conscience since the filming of his biblical peplum. While the chief operator insisted on using figurines, which would have done perfectly well for a chaotic crowd scene in the water, Curtiz turned a deaf ear. After hours in increasingly cold water, with heavy costumes and many rehearsals, three extras were found dead drowned, according to a stuntman present on the set and witnessed the thing. However, no complaint was recorded. The truth about this case remained hidden in this era with black and white film 1 .
Technical sheet
- Title: Noah’s Ark
- Original title: Noah’s Ark
- Director: Michael Curtiz
- Scenario: Darryl F. Zanuck , Anthony Coldeway and De Leon Anthony
- Production: Darryl F. Zanuck
- Production Company: Warner Bros. Pictures
- Music: Alois Reiser
- Photography: Barney McGill and Hal Mohr
- Editing: Harold McCord
- Artistic direction: Anton Grot (uncredited)
- Costumes: Earl Luick (uncredited)
- Country of origin: United States
- Format: Black and White – 1.33: 1 – Mono
- Genre: Drama – War – Epic
- Duration: 135 minutes
- Release date :
- United States :
- France :
- Producer: Darryl F. Zanuck
- Distribution: Warner Bros. Pictures
- English language
Distribution
- Dolores Costello : Mary / Miriam
- George O’Brien : Travis / Japhet
- Noah Beery : Nickoloff / King Nephiliu
- Louise Fazenda : Hilda / Tavern Maid
- Guinn ‘Big Boy’ Williams : Al / Ham
- Paul McAllister : Military Chaplain / Noah
- Myrna Loy : Dancer / Slave
- Anders Randolf : The German / Leader of the Soldiers
- Armand Kaliz : The French / Chief of the King’s Guard
- William V. Mong : Innkeeper / Guard
- Malcolm Waite : The Blakan / Sem
- Nigel De Brulier : Soldier / High Priest
- Noble Johnson : Brocer
- Otto Hoffman : Armed Investor / Merchant
And, among the uncredited actors:
- Andy Devine : appearing
- Torben Meyer : Man on the train
- Nina Quartero : French girl
- John Wayne : appearing
Notes and references
- ↑ ” Hush! The best-kept secrets of the All-Hollywood ” [ archive ] , on www.msn.com (accessed on 1 st September 2016 )