The Bridge of San Luis Rey

The story

This first cinematic version of the classic book is a part-talkie, although the only surviving print is silent (housed in the George Eastman House, Rochester, NY). It is a straight-forward telling of the intermingled lives of a group of strangers doomed to die in a collapsing bridge accident. The Art Direction, paltry and unremarkable, surprisingly won an Oscar over the far more remarkable work nominated in THE IRON MASK. The special effect scene of the lovers plummeting with the bridge into the chasm is unforgettable and remarkably done.

Cast & crew

Lili DamitaCamila (La Perichole)

Ernest TorrenceUncle Pio

Raquel TorresPepita

Don AlvaradoManuel

Duncan RenaldoEsteban

Henry B. WalthallFather Juniper

Michael VavitchViceroy

Emily FitzroyMarquesa

Jane WintonDoña Carla