Frank Buxton Silent Film Festival: The Docks of New York

1928 | 75 MIN

In the early 20th century, a tramp steamer docks in New York, where the crew indulges in shore leave and crude graffiti before hitting the local gin-mills. Onshore, third engineer Andy (Mitchell Lewis) encounters his estranged wife Lou (Olga Baclanova) at The Sandbar saloon, while stoker Bill (George Bancroft) rescues and then marries a drowning prostitute named Mae (Betty Compson), only to abandon her the next morning. Lou intervenes to protect Mae from Andy’s advances, leading to a dramatic showdown and Lou’s arrest for a murder she confesses to. Bill ultimately returns to clear Mae’s name and vows to reunite with her after serving his sentence, promising a new beginning.

Live accompaniment by Michael Owcharuk with Kate Olson.