The Docks of New York

The story is a simple melodrama, but the virtuosity of the directing and the daring originality of the camerawork made it one of Von Sternberg’s best silent films. George Bancroft plays the burly ships boilerman Bill Roberts who stops the girl Sadie from committing suicide. At first, the girl is not very grateful, but she allows Bill to persuade her to marry him. He consummates the marriage on his wedding night drunk before going back on board the next morning without intending ever to return to his new wife. Sober on his ship, he realises his new responsibility and swims back to the coast, where his love has just been arrested for stealing. When he sails again, he promises his wife he will return when she comes out of jail.