The Thirteenth Chair (1929 film)
The Thirteenth Chair | |
---|---|
Directed by | Tod Browning |
Written by | Elliott J. Clawson Joseph Farnham |
Based on | The Thirteenth Chair 1916 play by Bayard Veiller |
Produced by | Tod Browning |
Starring | Conrad Nagel Leila Hyams Bela Lugosi |
Cinematography | Merritt B. Gerstad |
Edited by | Harry Reynolds |
Distributed by | MGM |
Release date |
|
Running time | 72 minutes |
Country | United States |
Language | English |
The Thirteenth Chair is a 1929 American pre-Code mystery film directed by Tod Browning. The picture is based on a 1916 play of the same name by Bayard Veiller. It stars Conrad Nagel, Leila Hyams and Margaret Wycherly. The supporting cast features Bela Lugosi, whom Browning would direct as Dracula two years later.
The film was one of many released in both sound and silent versions. The initial television airing of the sound version was by TCM on August 22, 2019.
An earlier version of the film, starring Creighton Hale, was made in 1919 by ACME/ Pathe Exchange, directed by Leonce Perret.[1] In 1937, the film was again remade by MGM, entitled The Thirteenth Chair, starring Elissa Landi and Dame May Whitty.
Plot[]
Inspector Delzante (Bela Lugosi), investigates a pair of murders near a British mansion in Calcutta. Helen O'Neill (Leila Hyams) becomes a chief suspect based on circumstantial evidence. A fake Irish medium, Madame LaGrange (Margaret Wycherly) is called in to try to help solve the first murder.[2]
Cast[]
- Conrad Nagel as Richard Crosby
- Leila Hyams as Helen "Nellie" O'Neill
- Margaret Wycherly as "Madame" Rosalie La Grange
- Helene Millard as Mary Eastwood
- Holmes Herbert as Sir Roscoe Crosby
- Mary Forbes as Lady Alice Crosby
- Bela Lugosi as Inspector Delzante
- John Davidson as Edward "Ned" Wales
- Charles Quatermaine as Dr. Philip Mason (credited as Charles Quartermaine)
- Moon Carroll as Helen Trent
- Cyril Chadwick as Brandon Trent
- Frank Leigh as Professor Feringeea
- Clarence Geldart as Commissioner Grimshaw (credited as Clarence Geldert)
Background[]
Margaret Wycherly, who was at one time married to the writer of The Thirteenth Chair play (Bayard Veiller), also appeared in the original 1916 play.
See also[]
References[]
- ^ Workman, Christopher; Howarth, Troy (2016). "Tome of Terror: Horror Films of the Silent Era". Midnight Marquee Press. p. 210.ISBN 978-1936168-68-2.
- ^ "The Thirteenth Chair (1929) - Tod Browning - Synopsis, Characteristics, Moods, Themes and Related - AllMovie". Retrieved September 18, 2016.
External links[]
Wikiquote has quotations related to: The Thirteenth Chair (1929 film) |
- 1929 films
- English-language films
- 1929 mystery films
- American films
- American black-and-white films
- American mystery films
- Films directed by Tod Browning
- Films set in India
- Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer films
- Transitional sound films