Editing Disraeli (1929 film)

{{short description|1929 film}}
{{Use American English|date=January 2025}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=October 2020}} 
{{Infobox film
| name           = Disraeli
| image          = Disraeli-1929-lobbycard.jpg
| caption        = lobby card
| director       = [[Alfred E. Green]]
| producer       = [[Jack L. Warner]]<br/>[[Darryl F. Zanuck]]
| screenplay     = [[Julien Josephson]]
| based_on       = {{Based on|''[[Disraeli (play)|Disraeli]]'' (play)|[[Louis N. Parker]]}}
| starring       = [[George Arliss]]<br/>[[Doris Lloyd]]<br/>[[David Torrence (actor)|David Torrence]]<br/>[[Joan Bennett]]
| music          = [[Louis Silvers]]
| cinematography = [[Lee Garmes]]
| editing        = [[Owen Marks]] (uncredited)
| studio         = [[Warner Bros.]]
| distributor    = Warner Bros.
| released       = {{Film date|1929|11|01|ref1=<ref name=AFICatalog />}}
| runtime        = 90 minutes (1929 release)<br/>87 minutes (1934 re-release)
| language       = English
| country        = United States
| budget         = $318,000<ref name="warners">Warner Bros financial information in The William Schaefer Ledger. See Appendix 1, Historical Journal of Film, Radio and Television, (1995) 15:sup1, 1-31 p 10 DOI: 10.1080/01439689508604551</ref>
| gross          = $1,498,000<ref name="warners"/>
}}

'''''Disraeli'''''  is a 1929 American sound ([[sound film|All-Talking]]) [[pre-Code]] [[historical film]] directed by [[Alfred E. Green]], released by [[Warner Bros. Pictures, Inc.]], and adapted by [[Julien Josephson]] (screenplay) and De Leon Anthony (titles) from the 1911 play ''[[Disraeli (play)|Disraeli]]'' by [[Louis N. Parker]].<ref>[http://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1929/10/06/91965659.html Hall, Mordaunt. "THOSE LIVELY GHOSTS Old Comedy a Jolly Talking Picture—Mr. Arliss's and Other Films" (''The New York Times'', October 6, 1929, page 179)]</ref>

The lobby card states, "Mr. [[George Arliss]] in his greatest picture Disraeli". His performance as British prime minister [[Benjamin Disraeli]] won him the [[Academy Award for Best Actor|Academy Award for Best Actor in a Leading Role]]. The story revolves around the British plan to buy the [[Suez Canal]] and the efforts of two spies to stop it.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.silentera.com/PSFL/data/D/Disraeli1929.html|title=Silent Era : Progressive Silent Film List|work=silentera.com|access-date=June 22, 2015}}</ref>

As with the original 1911 Broadway play and its 1917 revival, and the [[Disraeli (1921 film)|1921 silent film]], Arliss' wife Florence appeared opposite him in the role of Disraeli's wife, [[Mary Anne Disraeli|Mary Anne (Lady Beaconsfield)]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1144&dat=19291122&id=fSkbAAAAIBAJ&pg=1159,5547642|title=The Pittsburgh Press - Google News Archive Search|work=google.com|access-date=June 22, 2015}}</ref>

==Plot==
In 1874, Disraeli's ambitious foreign policy, aimed at extending the British empire, is voted down by the House of Commons after a speech by his great rival, [[William Ewart Gladstone|William Gladstone]]. Later, Disraeli receives the welcome news that the spendthrift [[Khedive]] of Egypt is in dire need of money and is willing to sell the controlling shares in the [[Suez Canal]]. The purchase of the canal would secure control of India, but Michael Probert, head of the [[Bank of England]], makes it clear to Disraeli that he is vehemently opposed to any such plan. Disraeli then summons Hugh Myers, a leading Jewish banker.

Meanwhile, Lord Charles Deeford proposes to Lady Clarissa Pevensey. Although she is in love with him, she turns him down. He is content to enjoy his wealth and high social standing, and lacks the ambition she wants in a husband; further, she is a great admirer of the Prime Minister and Charles has no strong opinion about him. Disraeli, seeing promise in the young man and wanting Clarissa to be happy, convinces Charles to come work for him, and tells him about the canal purchase but he does not tell him about the spies.

Russia, eager to seize India for itself, has assigned two spies to watch Disraeli: Mrs. Travers, who has entree to the highest social circles, and Mr. Foljambe. Disraeli was not fooled; he has hired Foljambe as his personal government secretary, the better to deceive him. When Foljambe asks Charles if Myers is there to provide financial backing for the purchase of the canal, Charles says nothing, but his manner makes it clear that Foljambe has guessed correctly. Mrs. Travers orders Foljambe to leave the country and warn their masters.

Disraeli soon discovers what has happened. When he decides to send an agent to the khedive immediately, Clarissa suggests he send Charles. Charles persuades the khedive to accept Myers' cheque in exchange for the shares, also proving his own worth to Clarissa.

Disraeli is elated when he receives the news. However, Myers comes and informs him that his banking house has been driven into bankruptcy by sabotage; the cheque is worthless. Disraeli tells him to keep his situation secret for the moment. When the prying Mrs. Travers arrives, Disraeli allows her to learn of the purchase, and she exultantly admits to her key part in sabotaging Myers.

Thinking quickly, Disraeli summons Probert. Though the banker initially refuses to help, Disraeli forces him to sign a paper giving unlimited credit to Myers by threatening to have Parliament revoke the bank's charter. (After Probert leaves, Disraeli confesses to his wife and Clarissa that he was bluffing.) Myers' solvency is restored, the deal is completed, and as a result of Disraeli's success, Queen Victoria can add [[Empress of India]] to her other titles. Disraeli is honored when he and his wife, who has recovered from serious illness, attend a reception for the Queen.

==Cast==
*[[George Arliss]] as Disraeli
*[[Doris Lloyd]] as Mrs. Travers
*[[David Torrence (actor)|David Torrence]] as Lord Probert
*[[Joan Bennett]] as Lady Clarissa Pevensey
*[[Florence Arliss]] as Lady Beaconsfield
*[[Anthony Bushell]] as Charles, Lord Deeford
*[[Michael Visocoff, S.T.]] as Count Borsinov
*[[Ivan Simpson]] as Hugh Meyers
*[[Gwendolyn Logan]] as Duchess of Glastonbury
*[[Cosmo Kyrle Bellew]] as Mr. Terle<ref name=AFICatalog />

==Production==
''[[The Green Goddess (1930 film)|The Green Goddess]]'' was filmed in 1929 and completed before ''Disraeli'', but was held out of release until 1930<ref name=AFICatalog>{{Cite web|url=https://catalog.afi.com/Catalog/moviedetails/3768 |title=AFI Catalog - Disraeli |website=American Film Institute |access-date=2025-04-25}}</ref> at the request of Arliss because he felt this film was a better vehicle for his talkie debut.{{cn|date=April 2025}} Silent film versions of Parker's play, both also titled "''Disraeli''", had previously been produced:  A [[Disraeli (1916 film)|1916 version]] produced by British company NB Films; and the 1921 version produced by Arliss' production company, Distinctive Productions,<ref>[https://archive.org/details/catalogofcopyri331213libr/page/114/mode/2up?q=Warner+Bros.+Pictures%2C+Inc.&view=theater Catalog of Copyright Entries 1949 Motion Pictures And Filmstrips Jan-Dec 3D Ser Vol 3 Pts 12-13 (pg. 115)]</ref> and released by [[United Artists]].

==Box office==
According to Warner Bros records the film earned $924,000 domestically and $574,000 foreign.<ref name="warners"/>

==Reception==
The film received three [[Academy Award]] nominations. George Arliss' win for Best Actor made him the first British actor to win, the first actor to win for a [[remake]] of a previously produced movie, and the first to win for reprising a movie role. The film was also nominated for [[Academy Award for Best Picture|Outstanding Production]], but lost to ''[[All Quiet on the Western Front (1930 film)|All Quiet on the Western Front.]]'' Screenwriter Julien Josephson was nominated for Best Writing Achievement in a year when only one award was given for screenwriting.  (In most years, he would have been nominated for [[Academy Award for Best Adapted Screenplay|Best Adapted Screenplay]].) He lost to [[Frances Marion]] for ''[[The Big House (1930 film)|The Big House]]''. The film was also awarded the [[Photoplay#Photoplay Medal of Honor|''Photoplay Magazine'' Medal of Honor]] in 1929.

The ''[[The New Zealand Herald|New Zealand Herald]]'' praised the film, saying it "raises a set standard" and especially praising Arliss, who "is the whole picture."<ref>{{Cite web |last=Hall |first=D. Winter |date=7 December 1929 |title=A Fine Film: Noted Actor in "Disraeli" |url=https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/NZH19291207.2.187.59.1 |website=Papers Past}}</ref> In a retrospective review, [[Richard Gilliam]] praised the film for Arliss's performance in a "compelling portrait," though criticizing its sound and set design.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Gilliam |first=Richard |title=Disraeli |url=https://www.allmovie.com/movie/disraeli-v14018/review |website=AllMovie}}</ref>

==Preservation status==
The film survives in its 1934 re-release form,<ref>[http://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1934/01/11/95025495.html "'Disraeli' Has a Revival" (''The New York Times'', January 11, 1934, page 19)]</ref><ref>[https://archive.org/details/mediahistory&tab=collection?and%5B%5D=subject%3A%22Motion%20pictures%20--%20Catalogues%22  1957 MOVIES FROM AAP Warner Bros Features & Cartoons SALES BOOK DIRECTED AT TV]</ref> when it was converted from its original [[sound-on-disc]] technology to [[sound-on-film]]. To provide space for the soundtrack, the image was noticeably cropped on the left side, except for the opening credit sequence and end title, which were replaced and are centered. Some [[Pre-Code Hollywood|pre-Code]] footage, about three minutes, was also deleted and is believed to be lost.

==See also==
* [[List of early sound feature films (1926–1929)]]

==References==
{{reflist|2}}

== External links ==
{{commons category|Disraeli (1929 film)}}
* {{Internet Archive film|disraeli_1929|Disraeli}}
* {{IMDb title|0019823|Disraeli}}
* {{AFI film|3768|Disraeli}}
* {{TCMDb title|609|Disraeli}}
* {{Rotten Tomatoes|1005964_disraeli|Disraeli}}
* [https://archive.today/20150228024019/http://movies.tvguide.com/seven-faces/review/113059 ''Disraeli''] at ''[[TV Guide]]'' (1987 write-up was originally published in ''The Motion Picture Guide'')
* [http://www.virtual-history.com/movie/film/3827/disraeli ''Disraeli''] at Virtual History
* [https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/236x/50/c8/6d/50c86ddbed14075f13217ae739ba64ba.jpg lobby poster]

{{Alfred E. Green}}

[[Category:1929 films]]
[[Category:1920s biographical drama films]]
[[Category:1920s historical drama films]]
[[Category:1920s political drama films]]
[[Category:American biographical drama films]]
[[Category:American black-and-white films]]
[[Category:American films based on plays]]
[[Category:American historical drama films]]
[[Category:American political drama films]]
[[Category:Cultural depictions of Benjamin Disraeli]]
[[Category:Films about prime ministers of the United Kingdom]]
[[Category:Films directed by Alfred E. Green]]
[[Category:Films featuring a Best Actor Academy Award–winning performance]]
[[Category:Films set in England]]
[[Category:Films set in London]]
[[Category:Films set in the 19th century]]
[[Category:Films set in the 1870s]]
[[Category:Transitional sound films]]
[[Category:Warner Bros. films]]
[[Category:Photoplay Awards film of the year winners]]
[[Category:1920s English-language films]]
[[Category:1920s American films]]
[[Category:English-language historical drama films]]
[[Category:English-language biographical drama films]]