Kathleen
The movie starts out with a ton of long shots and very dim lighting which made the stokers faces difficult to see when they were on the boat. The majority of the film takes place within a lively bar near the waterfront -- tracking shots were used to establish these scenes. It was difficult for me to follow what was going on. This may be a personal fault as I am not accustomed to silent films. What I did get a handle on was that the men were unable to keep their hands to themselves; I understand that it was a different time it was just highly uncomfortable to repeatedly see that type of interaction. Overall, it was an enjoyable movie with some dramatic scenes. They could have been shown a little better.
thinbeach
With one night in town while the ship is at port, we follow our lead stoker into a world of bars, brutes, brawls and bawdiness, where the only objective is to have a good time, all else be damned, which you get the sense has happened many times before, at many cities around the world, whenever they get a night at port. When a young woman attempts suicide by jumping into the water, our stoker dives in to save her, and thus begins a very unromantic love tale. Being who he is, this is seen only as an opportunity to bed her, and being promiscuous herself, she is only too happy to go along with it.In a strange twist that doesn't make a lot of sense, they decide to get married then and there in the bar, and lo and behold, a paster just happens to be in the vicinity, and lo and behold, he just happens to agree to the ceremony, despite being opposed to the idea, and despite their not having the license! Apparently everyone considers this a great deal of fun - well, I guess they're all drunk!The next day we are supposed to get the idea the two of them have changed their ways, and this hasty, illegal, drunken marriage was actually the best thing for them. He leaves her to get back on the ship, before suddenly deciding the stoking life is not for him anymore, and swims back to shore. In the meantime she has been arrested for the possession of clothes he stole for her, but is saved by his reappearance and admittance of guilt, and they are for sure going to live happily ever after, just as soon as he's served his stint in jail.Poor as the story is, I still highly recommend 'The Docks of New York' on account of the first 30 odd minutes, by which point the plot hasn't yet completely disintegrated, and are some of the most beautiful put to film. The fire steamed boat, the smokey bar and the misty dock create a wonderfully hazy atmosphere, seducing us into this messy world far more convincingly than the characters seduce each other. If only they had ended it then, it would have been a classic.
Aaron Igay
I didn't know anything about George Bancroft 48 hours ago, but after watching him star in two films in as many days, I'm impressed enough to seek out more of his work. Betty Compson was also terrific in a film that I can't easily fit in any category. I set out to watch it for the cinematography which puts it in the proto-noir category but I quickly found myself interested in what the actors were doing in the shadows and fog of this silent film. Unfortunately the story itself was something out of a Laurel & Hardy comedy but without the slapstick and jokes to help us suspend our disbelief. But you'll probably enjoy it, it's better than your average date movie.
MartinHafer
I know you might think my summary is ridiculous, but I swear to you that this very accurately describes this movie...really! The film begins aboard a merchant ship. George Bancroft is a stoker and is much like Popeye--but without the spinach and the obviously anorexic girlfriend. When he's on shore for the evening, he sees a lady in the water (Betty Compson)--trying to kill herself. George naturally jumps in and saves her. Later, when they begin talking, the subject of marriage comes up and somehow the two end up deciding to get married--even though they know nothing about each other. It's obvious both have sowed MANY wild oats but the audience naturally hopes they make a go of it. But, in the morning the reality of this ridiculous marriage becomes obvious--he's a seaman and it seems to be implied she's a 'professional girl'. So, George sets off to sea. Can this bizarre relationship STILL work out and the two live happily ever after? Tune in and see if you are curious! The film has an extraordinarily simple plot. But, because the direction by Josef von Sternberg is so deft and the acting so amiable, you will probably have a tendency to forgive the simplicity of the film. A very good film...and, as I said, the sort of love story Popeye might have written...or at least might shed a tear over if he'd seen it! Strange but very good.
