The Bells (1931 film)
The Bells is a 1931 British drama film directed by Harcourt Templeman and Oscar Werndorff and starring Donald Calthrop, Jane Welsh, and Edward Sinclair.[1]
| The Bells (1931 film) | |
|---|---|
| Directed by | Harcourt Templeman Oscar Werndorff |
| Produced by | Sergei Nolbandov Isidore Schlesinger |
| Written by | C. H. Dand Leopold Lewis (play The Bells) |
| Starring | Donald Calthrop Jane Welsh Edward Sinclair |
| Music by | Gustav Holst |
Production company | British Sound Film Productions |
| Distributed by | Producers Distributing Corporation |
Release date | 1931 |
Running time | 75 minutes |
| Country | UK |
| Language | English |
The film was originally released with a film score written by Gustav Holst, the only film score by Holst. The film was based on the play Le Juif Polonais by Alexandre Chatrian and Emile Erckmann, and the English version The Bells by Leopold Lewis.
Cast
- Donald Calthrop – Mathias
- Jane Welsh – Annette
- Edward Sinclair – Sergeant Christian Nash
- O.B. Clarence – Watchman
- Wilfred Shine – Philosopher
- Ralph Truman – Blacksmith
- Anita Sharp-Bolster
Plot
Mathias (Calthrop), an Alsatian innkeeper, murders a rich Pole staying at his inn. However, Mathias' conscience will not let him rest, and the murdered man's spirit drives the innkeeper nearly mad.
The victim's brother calls for an inquest and brings with him a sideshow hypnotist, who is supposedly able to read minds. Mathias, as burgomaster, is called upon to conduct the inquest, but under the intuitive eye of the hypnotist cannot resist torment of his own conscience.
Preservation status
This film is now considered a lost film. Imogen Holst wrote that the film score is also lost.[2]
See also
References
- BFI Database entry
- Imogen Holst, A Thematic Catalogue of Gustav Holst's Music, p. 189 (London: Faber and Faber, 1974) ISBN 0-571-10004-X
Bibliography
- Tim Bergfelder & Christian Cargnelli, Destination London: German-speaking Emigrés and British Cinema, 1925-1950 (Berghahn Books, 2008)