The Crowd
Starring: Eleanor Boardman, James Murray, Dell Henderson
Director: King Vidor
Writer: King Vidor
Producer: Irving Thalberg
The Crowd is a 1928 American silent drama film directed by King Vidor and starring James Murray, Eleanor Boardman and Bert Roach. The feature film was nominated at the first Academy Award presentation in 1929 for several awards, including Unique and Artistic Production for MGM and Best Director for Vidor.
Trivia
- Nominated for: Academy Award for Best Director (Dramatic Picture).
- Vidor wanted the new film to be innovative in its story, acting, and cinematography.
- The film mixes striking visual styles and moving camera cinematography – as well as hidden cameras in some of the New York City scenes, and subtle use of scale models and dissolves – influenced by 1920s German cinema and F.W. Murnau in particular, with intense, intimate scenes of the family's struggle.
- Vidor avoided casting big-name stars in the film to attain greater authenticity; Murray had started as a studio extra, and had appeared in featured roles already, but had made his way to California riding boxcars and doing odd jobs such as shoveling coal and washing dishes.
Filming Locations
- New York City
- Niagara Falls
Previous Showings
3 Runs • 3 Festivals
All runs on record (3):
- September 1, 2004Summer 2004w/ Our Daily Bread
- March 27, 2009Winter 2009w/ Our Daily Bread
- June 13, 2025100th Anniversary