The Bells
Brief Synopsis
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Mathias, an Alsatian innkeeper, murders a rich Pole staying at his inn But Mathias' conscience will not let him rest, and the murdered man's spirit drives the innkeeper nearly mad. The victim's brother calls for an inquest and brings with him a sideshow mesmerist supposedly able to read minds. Mathias, as burgomaster, is called upon to conduct the inquest, but under the intuitive eye of the mesmerist cannot resist torment of his own conscience.
Cast & Crew
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James Young
Director
Lionel Barrymore
Mathias
Caroline Frances Cooke
Catherine
Fred Warren
Baruch Kowelski
Fred Warren
Jethro Kowelski
Boris Karloff
Mesmerist
Film Details
Genre
Silent
Release Date
Sep
15,
1926
Premiere Information
New York State license: 30 Jul 1926
Production Company
Chadwick Pictures
Country
United States
Screenplay Information
Based on the play Le Juif Polonais; drame en trois actes, et cinq tableaux by Emile Erckmann and Alexandre Chatrian (Paris, 15 Jun 1869), adapted as The Bells by Leopold Lewis (London, production date undetermined).
Technical Specs
Duration
1h 32m
Sound
Silent
Color
Black and White
Theatrical Aspect Ratio
1.33 : 1
Film Length
6,300ft
(7 reels)
Synopsis
Unable to pay his debts, Mathias, an Alsatian innkeeper, murders a rich traveler and takes his gold. Mathias is not suspected of the crime; he is, however, tormented by an avenging conscience. He hears the bells that rang as his victim lay dying and has visions of a courtroom and of the bloody hands of the slain traveler. Mathias finally sees the ghost of the traveler and dies in spiritual agony, his secret unconfessed.
Director
James Young
Director
Cast
Lionel Barrymore
Mathias
Caroline Frances Cooke
Catherine
Fred Warren
Baruch Kowelski
Fred Warren
Jethro Kowelski
Boris Karloff
Mesmerist
Gustav Von Seyffertitz
Jerome Frantz
Lorimer Johnston
Hans
Lola Todd
Annette
Eddie Phillips
Christian
Otto Lederer
Peddler
Laura La Varnie
Fortune teller
Film Details
Genre
Silent
Release Date
Sep
15,
1926
Premiere Information
New York State license: 30 Jul 1926
Production Company
Chadwick Pictures
Country
United States
Screenplay Information
Based on the play Le Juif Polonais; drame en trois actes, et cinq tableaux by Emile Erckmann and Alexandre Chatrian (Paris, 15 Jun 1869), adapted as The Bells by Leopold Lewis (London, production date undetermined).
Technical Specs
Duration
1h 32m
Sound
Silent
Color
Black and White
Theatrical Aspect Ratio
1.33 : 1
Film Length
6,300ft
(7 reels)
Quotes
Trivia
Notes
Pathé released a 1918 film entitled The Bells that was also based on the Alexandre Chatrian, Émile Erckmann play. That film was directed by Ernest C. Warde and starred Frank Keenan and Lois Wilson (see AFI Catalog of Feature Films, 1911-20).
