Prisoners
One Sheet Poster
*
Based on the novel of the same name by Hungarian writer Ferenc Molnair, Prisoners tells of a lawyer who falls in love with his client, a showgirl sentenced to seven months in prison for stealing. The film appears to have started production as a silent film. During filming, it was decided to add some sound scenes in response to the rising popularity of talkies. About a tenth of the finished film contained dialogue. Ian Keith was one of several actors said to have been considered by Universal Studios for the role of Count Dracula before it was given to Bela Lugosi. In 1945 both actors co-starred in the play No Traveler Returns.
*
Production Company: First National
Producer: Walter Morosco
Director: William A. Seiter
Screenplay: Forrest Halsey from the novel by Ferenc Molnair
Cinematography: Lee Garmes
Editor: LeRoy Stone
Titles: Paul Perez
Running Time: 87 minutes
Released as a silent film with ten percent dialogue
Copyright number: LP399, May 21 1929
Cast:
Corinne Griffith: Riza Riga
James Ford: Kessler
Bela Lugosi: Brotton
Ian Keith: Nicholas Cathy
Julanne Johnston: Lenke
Ann Schaeffer: Aunt Maria
Baron Hesse: Kore
Otto Matiesen: Sebfi
Harry Northrup: Prosecuting Attorney
*
The Pitsburgh Press, December 9, 1928
*
The Miami News, June 2, 1929
*
The Sunday Morning Star, June 9, 1929
*
The Evening Independent, June 22, 1929
*
The Milwaukee Sentinel, August 10, 1929
*
Feature Films, January 1930
Prisoner – First National. – Effective entertainment. Part Talkie.
*
Lobby cards
*
Front of House Card
Corinne Griffth, Ian Keith and Bela Lugosi
*
Stills
Corinne Griffth and Bela Lugosi
Corinne Griffth, Ian Keith and Bela Lugosi
*
Sheet Music
*
Photoplay edition of Franz Molnar’s novel
Published in 1929 by Grosset & Dunlap
The Bela Lugosi Blog 