The Wolf of Wall Street (1929 film)

The Wolf of Wall Street is a lost 1929 American pre-Code drama film directed by Rowland V. Lee and starring George Bancroft, Paul Lukas, Olga Baclanova, and Nancy Carroll. The story and screenplay were written by Doris Anderson.^[1]

The Wolf of Wall Street
Theatrical three-sheet release poster
Directed by	Rowland V. Lee
Written by	Doris Anderson
Starring	George Bancroft Olga Baclanova Nancy Carroll
Cinematography	Victor Milner
Edited by	Robert Bassler
Music by	Karl Hajos
Production company	Paramount Pictures
Distributed by	Paramount Pictures
Release date	February 2, 1929 (1929-02-02) (United States)
Country	United States
Language	English

Originally made as a silent film, The Wolf of Wall Street was completely re-filmed with sound,^[2] becoming Bancroft's first talkie.^[3]

Plot

A ruthless trader corners the market in copper and then sells short, making a fortune but ultimately ruining the finances of himself and his friends.^[4][5][6]

Cast

• George Bancroft as The Wolf
• Olga Baclanova as Olga
• Nancy Carroll as Gert (the maid)
• Paul Lukas as David Tyler
• Brandon Hurst as Sturgess
• Crauford Kent as Jessup

Music

The theme song for the film is entitled "Love Take My Heart" with music by Joseph Meyer and lyrics by Harold Christie. Olga Baclanova sings the song in the film. Olga Baclanova also sings "Gypsy Love Song" which was composed by the same team.

Reception

Reception for the film was mixed. Life criticized the film for depending too much on its novelty value; the advertising ran "George Bancroft talks ... Baclanova sings", and Life noted "there is the good news that George Bancroft has a fine screen voice", but felt the film lacked substance in the plot.^[7] Film Daily wrote that "George Bancroft as the roughneck engineering a pool in Wall Street to get the sucker is immense, as usual", but complained of a lack of action and weak story.^{[citation needed]}

See also

• List of early sound feature films (1926–1929)