They called it Thunderbolt
| Movie | |
|---|---|
| German title | They called it Thunderbolt |
| Original title | Thunderbolt |
| Country of production | United States |
| original language | English |
| Publishing year | 1929 |
| length | 95 minutes |
| Rod | |
| Director | Josef von Sternberg |
| script |
Herman J. Mankiewicz Joseph L. Mankiewicz Josef von Sternberg |
| production | BP Fineman |
| music | Karl Hajos |
| camera | Henry W. Gerrard |
| cut | Helen Lewis |
| occupation | |
| |
They called it Thunderbolt is an American crime film from 1929. The script is based on a story by the brothers Charles and Jules Furthman .
action
The criminal Jim Lang is called Thunderbolt (German: thunderstorm ). He is wanted for robbery and murder. He and his girlfriend Ritzy go to a nightclub in Harlem, New York. At the club, Ritzy explains to him that she will leave him. When the police raid shortly afterwards, Thunderbolt just managed to escape.
He lets Ritzy watch from his walk. He is informed that she is staying with Mrs. Morgen. Her son Bob is a bank clerk who fell in love with Ritzy. Ritzy worries about Bob's safety. She informs the police who want to set a trap for the gangster. Thunderbolt managed to avoid this trap, but was soon arrested and brought to justice. The judge sentences him to death.
From his death row, Thunderbolt organized a robbery of the bank where Bob works. Bob is said to be an accomplice in the robbery, which is said to result in deaths. In fact, Bob is arrested and placed in Thunderbolt's side cell. Thunderbolt's attempts to get to his rival are foiled by the guards. Bob is also sentenced to death, but still marries Ritzy on death row. The gangster reconsiders and shows himself remorseful. He admits the trap Bob fell into. He abandons the plan to kill Bob the night before his execution. On the contrary, he pats his rival on the shoulder in a friendly gesture.
Reviews
The lexicon of the international film about the film: "Virtuously composed, Josef von Sternberg's first sound film captivates not only through the artificial light and shadow plays, but also through the use of music and sounds and the actors' guidance."
Mordaunt Hall of the New York Times found the film had a strange kind of humor. There is nothing edifying about this production that is hardly entertaining.
Time magazine didn't like the film either. The film is silly. The audience will not believe the makers that it would be so relaxed on death row.
Awards
At the second Academy Awards in 1930 , George Bancroft was nominated for an Oscar in the category of Best Actor .
background
The world premiere took place on June 20, 1929. In Germany, the film first appeared on November 26, 1970 as part of a TV premiere in the third program of the BR .
The production of Paramount Pictures , the first sound film by Josef von Sternberg, is one of over 700 films made between 1929 and 1949, the television rights of which were sold to Universal Pictures in 1958 .
Web links
- They called him Thunderbolt in the Internet Movie Database (English)
Individual evidence
- ↑ They called it Thunderbolt. In: Lexicon of International Films . Film service , accessed July 16, 2017 .
- ↑ Critique of the New York Times (Eng.)
- ↑ Critique of Time Magazine (Eng.)