New York Nights

Plot

Jill Deverne, a glamorous Broadway show girl, is married to Fred Deverne, a talented but struggling song writer. Their marriage becomes strained as they immerse themselves in the endless parties and decadent nightlife of New York's theater district. When powerful gangster Steve begins pursuing Jill, the couple's relationship deteriorates further after Fred spends a night with another woman. Heartbroken and disillusioned, Jill leaves Fred and becomes Steve's mistress, enjoying the luxury and attention but quickly growing tired of the criminal lifestyle. As she realizes the emptiness of her new life and the danger of her association with Steve, Jill must confront her choices and decide whether to return to the world she knows or seek redemption.

Historical Background

1929 was a pivotal year in American cinema history, marking the complete transition from silent films to talkies. The Jazz Singer (1927) had revolutionized the industry, and by 1929, virtually all major productions were incorporating sound. This period also coincided with the end of the Roaring Twenties and the onset of the Great Depression following the October 1929 stock market crash. 'New York Nights' reflected the era's fascination with urban nightlife, speakeasies, and the gangster culture that flourished during Prohibition. The film's portrayal of Broadway's decadence captured the public's ambivalent attitude toward the excesses of the previous decade, which would soon come to an abrupt end with the economic collapse. The movie also represented the changing fortunes of silent film stars like Talmadge, who found their careers threatened by the new sound requirements that favored different types of performers.

Making Of

The production of 'New York Nights' was fraught with the challenges typical of Hollywood's transition to sound. Norma Talmadge, one of the most successful silent film stars of the 1920s, struggled with the demands of sound recording. Her distinctive Brooklyn accent, which had never been an issue in silent films, became a point of contention with critics and audiences. Director Lewis Milestone, fresh from his Oscar win, attempted to guide Talmadge through this difficult transition, but the chemistry between her and co-star Gilbert Roland (her real-life paramour) sometimes complicated matters on set. The film utilized both sound and silent techniques, with some scenes shot as traditional silent sequences and others with full synchronized dialogue and music. This hybrid approach was common during 1928-1929 as studios experimented with the new technology while hedging their bets. The Broadway sequences were particularly elaborate, featuring choreographed musical numbers that showcased the possibilities of sound cinema.

Visual Style

The cinematography by Ray June reflected the transitional nature of early sound films. The camera work was more static than typical silent films due to the limitations of early sound recording equipment, which required cameras to be housed in soundproof booths. The lighting techniques still showed the influence of German Expressionism with dramatic shadows and high-contrast lighting, particularly in the gangster sequences. The Broadway scenes featured more elaborate lighting setups to create the illusion of theatrical spectacle. The film made effective use of close-ups, which had become standard in late silent cinema, to capture the emotional nuances required by sound performance.

Innovations

As an early sound film, 'New York Nights' demonstrated several technical innovations of the period. The production used the Movietone sound-on-film system, which was becoming standard in the industry. The film featured both dialogue sequences and synchronized musical numbers, showcasing the versatility of the new technology. The sound recording equipment of the time required innovative solutions for capturing dialogue in different environments, from intimate scenes to large musical numbers. The technical crew had to deal with the challenge of microphone placement and soundproofing, which often limited camera movement. Despite these constraints, the film managed to create a relatively fluid narrative that integrated sound elements naturally.

Music

The film featured a synchronized musical score with some early examples of original songs composed for the production. The Broadway sequences included several musical numbers that showcased the new possibilities of sound cinema. The score was typical of late 1920s film music, incorporating popular jazz and dance styles that reflected the contemporary New York nightlife setting. While the specific composers are not well-documented, the music followed the emerging conventions of early sound film scoring, using leitmotifs for different characters and emotional situations. The soundtrack also included diegetic music from the nightclub scenes, adding authenticity to the portrayal of Broadway entertainment.

Memorable Scenes

• The opening Broadway sequence featuring elaborate musical numbers and showcasing the spectacle of 1920s theater
• The tense confrontation scene between Jill and her husband Fred after his infidelity
• The glamorous but dangerous nightclub scene where Jill first meets the gangster Steve
• The emotional climax where Jill realizes the emptiness of her life as a gangster's moll

What Critics Said

Contemporary critical reception was largely unfavorable, with most reviewers focusing on Norma Talmadge's perceived difficulties with sound rather than the film's merits. Variety noted that 'Miss Talmadge's voice is not suited to the screen' and criticized her performance as 'stilted and unnatural.' The New York Times acknowledged the film's ambitious production values but found the story 'conventional and melodramatic.' Modern critics view the film more sympathetically as an interesting example of early sound cinema and a document of a major star's career transition. Film historians recognize its value in illustrating the technical challenges of the sound conversion period and its role in the broader narrative of Hollywood's evolution.

What Audiences Thought

Audience reception was lukewarm, with the film performing only modestly at the box office. Many of Talmadge's loyal fans from her silent film era were disappointed by her performance in sound, while newer audiences were not sufficiently impressed to make the film a hit. The timing of the release, coinciding with the stock market crash, likely further depressed attendance as discretionary spending on entertainment plummeted. Despite this, the film developed a minor cult following among those interested in early sound cinema and the careers of transitioning silent stars. Contemporary audience reports suggest that viewers were more fascinated by the novelty of sound itself than engaged with the film's narrative.

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