Weary River

1929
Passed
1h 26m

IMDb RATING

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Richard Barthelmess and Betty Compson in Weary River (1929)

A gangster is put in prison, but finds salvation through music while serving his time. Again on the outside, he finds success elusive and temptations abound.A gangster is put in prison, but finds salvation through music while serving his time. Again on the outside, he finds success elusive and temptations abound.A gangster is put in prison, but finds salvation through music while serving his time. Again on the outside, he finds success elusive and temptations abound.

See production info at IMDbPro

IMDb RATING

6.1/10

579

YOUR RATING

See production info at IMDbPro

Nominated for 1 Oscar
- 2 wins & 1 nomination total

Photos17

+ 10

Top cast29

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Richard Barthelmess

Jerry Larrabee

Betty Compson

Alice

William Holden

Warden

Louis Natheaux

Spadoni

George E. Stone

Blackie
(as George Stone)

Ray Turner

Elevator Boy
(as Raymond Turner)

Gladden James

Manager

Ernie Adams

Ex-Con in Alley
(uncredited)

Brooks Benedict

Jerry's Guest
(uncredited)

Ruth Cherrington

Actress Backstage Who Locks Her Door
(uncredited)

James Conaty

Attorney at Trial
(uncredited)

Richard Cramer

Prison Radio Announcer
(uncredited)

Oliver Cross

Restaurant Patron
(uncredited)

Edwards Davis

Prison Chaplain
(uncredited)

Sally Eilers

Hatcheck Girl
(uncredited)

Jim Farley

Plainclothesman with Sergeant
(uncredited)

Sherry Hall

Prison Phone Operator
(uncredited)

Chuck Hamilton

Prison Photographer
(uncredited)

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Storyline

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Did you know

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Trivia
The film is part silent, with intertitles, and part sound, which was important to feature the main character's talent as a singer, although the title song Weary River was nevertheless dubbed by a professional singer. One scene near the end features an orchestra playing on-screen on set that is a radio studio, while traditional silent movie sound is substituted for real sound. Then the scene technology audibly changes to sound recorded on film, with the same orchestra appearing to play for real (possibly dubbed) as the main character begins to sing (although he is listed as dubbed) in a radio performance that prompts his sweetheart to call the radio studio. The scene is an unusual mix of technologies during a period of transition from silents to sound.

Goofs
When Jerry Larrabee is brought in to the prison bathroom, there is already an inmate having a bath, who has disappeared before the scene is over.

Quotes
Prison Warden: Oh, I know how you feel. But, things won't be half as bad if you'll only play ball with us.

Alternate versions
First National also released this film in a silent version.

Soundtracks
Weary River
(1929)
Music by Louis Silvers
Lyrics by Grant Clarke
Sung by Richard Barthelmess (dubbed by Johnny Murray)

User reviews19

Review

Featured review

6/10

can a prisoner reform ?

This was made right at the crossover from silent to sound, Weary River is a mix of title cards and actual soundtrack of the actors' voices. Richard Barthelmess is Larrabee, who is sent to jail for a crime he didn't really do. the girlfriend Alice is Betty Compson.Barthelmess and Compson had both been around since the early days of silents and easily made the switch to talkies. while in prison, Larrabee puts together a music recital, and becomes a model prisoner. the song he sings is Weary River! and when he gets out, Larrabee is about to take revenge on the guys who put him in. can Alice stop him from falling into his old ways? it's simple. cute. and historically interesting, for the new talking picture technology alone. and Barthelmess WAS a pretty big star. maybe Turner Classic will show this one more often. directed by Frank Lloyd; nominated for best director! was oscar winning, but oddly, not for his best, biggest film, Mutiny on the Bounty.