Ten Nights in a Bar-Room (1931 film)

Ten Nights in a Bar-Room is a 1931 American Pre-Code film directed by William A. O'Connor. The film is a remake of a 1910 movie and follows the storyline in the 1854 novel, Ten Nights in a Bar-Room and What I Saw There by Timothy Shay Arthur.

Ten Nights in a Bar-Room
Film poster
Directed byWilliam A. O'Connor
Written byNorton S. Parker
Based onTen Nights in a Bar-Room and What I Saw There
1839 play
by Timothy Shay Arthur
Produced byL.E. Goetz (producer)
Willis Kent (producer)
CinematographyVernon L. Walker
Edited byLeon Goetz
Music byLouis Katzman
Production
company
Willis Kent Productions
Distributed byAstor Pictures
Release date
March 1, 1931
Running time
72 minutes
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish

Plot summary

The Cedarville new town doctor, Dr. Romaine, checks into the hotel owned by Simon Slade. Simon's daughter Ann and son John work at the hotel and bar therein. Simon invites Joe Morgan into the bar and many hours later, he arrives home drunk at 1:00 a.m. Grandma Morgan warns her son the risks of drinking. His wife Sarah is angry for their little girl Mary is sick. The doctor says Mary needs bed rest and a better diet.

Joe is the town miller. His mill and job suffers as he frequents the bar more and more. Joe plays poker with the resident bar gambler, Harvey Green. Simon's son John wants to help Joe. Dad is glad to let him lose gambling and running up his bar tab. Joe's work and family suffers. Grandma and Sarah worry and take care of sick Mary.

Six months elapse and Joe is now the bar drunk. He does bring Mary home a doll. Simon cuts Joe off for not paying his tab. Ann Simon delivers a food basket to the Morgan home. Sarah is grateful but grandma is embarrassed accepting charity. Morgan hangs around the bar just waiting for someone to buy a round and he can get a free drink. Simon gets Joe to sign over his mill to settle the bar bill with an extra $100 cash for Joe. Joe drinks and gambles away the cash.

Dr. Simone has been treating Mary. One night he sees drunk Joe and he takes him home. The doctor and Joe work on sobering him up. Joe has been sober for three weeks. He goes to the bar and begs for a drink. Simon refuses and little Mary shows and calls Dad home. Simon throws a beer mug and it hits Mary in the head. Joe carries the limp girl home. Joe goes back to the bar and a huge fist fight ensues. Joe and Simon fight as the other barfly, silent Sam, watches on. Chairs and tables are smashed and mirrors broken. The potbelly stove is knocked over and starts a fire. The bar burns down and little Mary is ok.

Cast

Reception

The corollary 1854 novel written by Arthur was a financial success and the second most popular book of the Victorian era. Only Uncle Tom's Cabin sold better. The mood of the country supported the Temperance movement and anti-alcohol sentiment.[1] The prohibition theme was adapted into a 1858 Broadway play by William W. Pratt, a 1901 film, a now lost 1910 silent movie, a 1913 adaption film, a 1921 film directed by Oscar Apfel, and then this 1931 film.[2] There is a 1926 film version where a drunkard is swindled out of his mill business but is later reborn and he runs for mayor.[3]

References
  1. Arthur, Timothy Shay. "Ten Nights in a Bar-Room". Amazon. Retrieved November 19, 2019.
  2. Hischak, Thomas S (2012), American Literature on Stage and Screen: 525 Works and Their Adaptations, McFarland and Company, p. 239
  3. "Ten Nights in a Barroom". IMDb. December 26, 1926. Retrieved November 19, 2019.
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