Lucien Prival
Actor
About Lucien Prival
Lucien Prival was an American actor who had a brief but notable career during the transition from silent films to early talkies in the late 1920s. His most significant role came in 1928 when he appeared in Howard Hughes' controversial crime drama 'The Racket,' directed by Lewis Milestone. The film was notable for its gritty depiction of police corruption and organized crime, pushing boundaries of what was acceptable on screen during that era. Prival played a supporting role in this critically acclaimed film, which was nominated for an Academy Award for Outstanding Picture at the first Academy Awards ceremony. Despite his memorable performance in this significant film of the late silent era, Prival's film career appears to have been extremely brief, with no other documented film credits beyond 1928. Like many character actors of the period, his contribution to cinema history is preserved primarily through his work in this influential crime film that helped establish the gangster genre in American cinema.
The Craft
Milestones
- Appeared in 'The Racket' (1928), a groundbreaking crime film
- Participated in one of the first films nominated for the Academy Award for Outstanding Picture
- Worked on a Howard Hughes production during his early producing career
- Acted during the pivotal transition from silent films to talkies
Best Known For
Iconic Roles
Must-See Films
Working Relationships
Worked Often With
Studios
Why They Matter
Impact on Culture
Lucien Prival's contribution to cinema, while brief, is part of the historical fabric of American gangster films. His appearance in 'The Racket' places him within the context of early crime cinema that would later influence countless filmmakers and establish conventions of the gangster genre. The film itself was groundbreaking for its time, addressing themes of police corruption and organized crime with a realism that was controversial in the late 1920s. As a participant in this influential work, Prival became part of the foundation upon which classic Hollywood crime films were built.
Lasting Legacy
Lucien Prival's legacy is preserved primarily through his contribution to 'The Racket' (1928), a film that has been recognized for its historical significance in American cinema. Though his career was brief, his work represents the many character actors who populated the films of Hollywood's formative years. The film itself has been preserved by the Library of Congress and selected for the National Film Registry, ensuring that Prival's contribution to cinema history remains accessible to future generations of film scholars and enthusiasts.
Who They Inspired
Due to the brevity of his documented film career, Lucien Prival's direct influence on other actors or filmmakers is difficult to trace. However, as part of the ensemble of 'The Racket,' he contributed to a film that influenced the development of the crime genre and demonstrated the potential for cinema to tackle socially relevant themes of corruption and power structures.
Off Screen
Very little is documented about Lucien Prival's personal life, which was not uncommon for character actors of the silent era who had brief film careers. Like many supporting actors of his time, he appears to have lived a private life away from the spotlight of Hollywood stardom.
Did You Know?
- 'The Racket' was one of the first films to receive an Academy Award nomination for Outstanding Picture (now Best Picture)
- The film was produced by Howard Hughes, who was just beginning his career as a film producer
- Despite being a silent film, 'The Racket' featured synchronized sound effects and musical score
- The film was considered controversial for its depiction of police corruption
- A sound remake of 'The Racket' was produced in 1951, though Prival did not appear in it
- The original 1928 version of 'The Racket' was thought to be lost for many years before a copy was discovered
- The film's director, Lewis Milestone, won the first Academy Award for Best Director for another film the same year
Frequently Asked Questions
Who was Lucien Prival?
Lucien Prival was an American actor active during the late 1920s who is primarily known for his appearance in the 1928 crime film 'The Racket.' His film career appears to have been brief, with his only documented credit being this significant silent film that was nominated for the first Academy Award for Outstanding Picture.
What films is Lucien Prival best known for?
Lucien Prival is known exclusively for his role in 'The Racket' (1928), a groundbreaking crime drama produced by Howard Hughes and directed by Lewis Milestone. This film was notable for its realistic portrayal of organized crime and police corruption, and it received an Academy Award nomination for Outstanding Picture at the inaugural Academy Awards.
When was Lucien Prival born and when did he die?
Unfortunately, detailed biographical information about Lucien Prival, including his birth and death dates, is not readily available in historical records. This lack of documentation was not uncommon for supporting actors from the silent era who had brief film careers.
What awards did Lucien Prival win?
There are no records of Lucien Prival receiving personal awards or nominations for his acting work. However, the film he appeared in, 'The Racket' (1928), was nominated for the Academy Award for Outstanding Picture at the first Academy Awards ceremony in 1929.
What was Lucien Prival's acting style?
Due to the limited documentation of his career and the fact that only one of his films is known to survive, specific details about Lucien Prival's acting style are difficult to determine. As a supporting actor in a late silent film, he would have employed the exaggerated gestures and facial expressions typical of silent era acting, adapted to the more naturalistic style emerging in the late 1920s.
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Films
1 film
