PICCADILLY (1929) Gilda Gray, Anna May Wong & Jameson Thomas | Drama, Crime | B&W | Timeless Film

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Piccadilly is a 1929 British silent and sound drama film directed by E.A. Dupont, written by Arnold Bennett and starring Gilda Gray, Anna May Wong, and Jameson Thomas. The film was shot on location in London, produced by British International Pictures.

This film initially was released as a silent in February 1929 but was largely ignored due to the general public's apathy to silent films. Due to the popularity of sound films, Wardour Films re-released the film in June of the same year for cinemas wired for sound. This version included a music score and sound effects by Harry Gordon, along with a five-minute sound prologue titled "Prologue to Piccadilly" that was added to the beginning of the film, featuring just two actors: Jameson Thomas who plays Valentine Wilmot in the film and John Longden as the man from China. The part-talkie was the version that was exhibited in the United States, released by Sono Art-World Wide Pictures in July 1929. The majority of people in 1929 saw the sound version and this is the version that survives.

Synopsis

Valentine Wilmot's Piccadilly Circus, a nightclub and restaurant in London, is a great success due to his star attraction: dancing partners Mabel and Vic. One night, a dissatisfied diner disrupts Mabel's solo with his loud complaints about a dirty plate. When Wilmot investigates, he finds Shosho distracting the other dishwashers with her dancing. He fires her on the spot.

After the performance, Vic tries to persuade Mabel to become his partner personally as well as professionally and to go to Hollywood with him. She coldly rebuffs him because she is romantically involved with Wilmot. That night, Wilmot summons Vic to his office, and before Wilmot can fire him, Vic quits.

This decision turns out to be disastrous for the nightclub. The customers had come to see Vic, not Mabel. Business drops off dramatically. In desperation, Wilmot hires Shosho to perform a Chinese dance. She insists that her boyfriend Jim play the accompanying music. Shosho is an instant sensation, earning a standing ovation after her first performance.

Both Mabel and Jim become jealous of the evident attraction between Shosho and Wilmot. Mabel breaks off her relationship with Wilmot.

One night, Shosho invites Wilmot to be the first to see her new rooms. Mabel has followed the couple and waits outside. After Wilmot leaves, she persuades Jim to let her in. She pleads with her romantic rival to give Wilmot up, saying he is too old for her, but Shosho replies that it is Mabel who is too old and that she will keep him. When Mabel reaches into her purse for a handkerchief, Shosho sees a pistol inside and grabs a dagger used as a wall decoration. Frightened, Mabel picks up the gun, then faints.

The next day, the newspapers report that Shosho has been murdered. Wilmot is charged with the crime. During the ensuing trial, he admits that the pistol is his, but refuses to divulge what happened that night. Jim testifies that Wilmot was Shosho's only visitor. Mabel insists on telling her story. However, she can recall nothing after fainting until she found herself running in the streets. Realizing that either Mabel or Jim must be lying, the judge summons Jim. By then, however, Jim has shot himself next to Shosho's coffin. As he lies dying, he confesses that he killed Shosho.

Cast & Crew

Gilda Gray as Mabel Greenfield
Anna May Wong as Shosho
Jameson Thomas as Valentine Wilmot
Charles Laughton as a nightclub diner
Ray Milland as extra in nightclub scene
Cyril Ritchard as Victor Smiles (as Cyrill Ritchard)
King Hou Chang as Jim (as King Ho Chang)
Hannah Jones as Bessie, Shosho's friend and dishwashing supervisor

Directed by: E.A. Dupont (uncredited)
Written by: Arnold Bennett
Produced by: Edwald André Dupont (as E.A. Dupont)
Cinematography: Werner Brandes
Music by: Harry Gordon (uncredited)
Production Company:
British International Pictures
Distributed by:
Wardour Films Ltd. (UK)
Sono Art-World Wide Pictures (US)
Release Dates:
1 February 1929 (Silent version)
1 June 1929 (Sound version, UK)
Running Time:
92 minutes (original sound version)
109 minutes (modified sound version)
Languages:
Sound (Part-Talkie)
English Intertitles