New York Nights (1929) Director: Lewis Milestone Studio: Warner Bros. Starring: Norma Talmadge (Alice Hughes), Gilbert Roland (Ramon), Myrna Loy (Ruth), Leo Carrillo (Pedro) Release Date: September 14, 1929 Runtime: 76 minutes Format: Black & White | Sound | Drama | Romance Country: United States Language: English Genres: Drama | Romance | Crime | Early Talkie --- Summary: New York Nights follows the story of Alice Hughes, a society woman who becomes entangled with a charismatic yet morally ambiguous nightclub singer, Ramon. Their relationship unfolds amidst the glamour, danger, and excitement of New York’s nightlife, where crime, passion, and ambition collide. The film explores themes of love, betrayal, and social ambition, offering audiences a blend of romantic drama and early talkie sophistication. --- Background: Directed by Lewis Milestone, who would later win Academy Awards for Two Arabian Knights and All Quiet on the Western Front, New York Nights was Warner Bros.’ effort to capitalize on the early sound era. Starring Norma Talmadge in one of her few talkies, the film demonstrates the studio’s integration of synchronized dialogue, music, and sound effects to create a more immersive urban drama. --- Trivia: Norma Talmadge, a major silent film star, struggled with the transition to sound, making this one of her few talking films. Myrna Loy appears in an early supporting role before her rise to stardom in the 1930s. Warner Bros. incorporated real New York locations to heighten authenticity. Combines melodrama with elements of crime and urban realism, typical of pre-Code cinema. Early example of a “nightlife” drama integrating musical sequences and dialogue. --- Hashtags: #NewYorkNights1929 #LewisMilestone #NormaTalmadge #MyrnaLoy #WarnerBros #EarlyTalkie #PreCodeHollywood #ClassicCinema #1920sFilm #UrbanDrama #GoldenAgeOfHollywood #FilmHistory