The Bridge of San Luis Rey 95 years old

This first cinematic version of the classic book is a part-talkie, although the only surviving print is silent (housed in the George Eastman House, Rochester, NY). It is a straight-forward telling of the intermingled lives of a group of strangers doomed to die in a collapsing bridge accident. The Art Direction, paltry and unremarkable, surprisingly won an Oscar over the far more remarkable work nominated in THE IRON MASK. The special effect scene of the lovers plummeting with the bridge into the chasm is unforgettable and remarkably done.

Credits

The Bridge of San Luis Rey Cast

Name Character
Henry B. Walthall He was 51, 58 years old when he died as Father Juniper
Ernest Torrence He was 50, 54 years old when he died as Uncle Pio
Jane Winton She was 23, 53 years old when she died as Doña Carla
Duncan Renaldo He was 24, 76 years old when he died as Esteban
Raquel Torres She was 20, 78 years old when she died as Pepita
Don Alvarado He was 24, 62 years old when he died as Manuel
Emily Fitzroy She was 68, 93 years old when she died as Marquesa
Lili Damita She was 24, 89 years old when she died as Camila (La Perichole)

The Bridge of San Luis Rey Crew

Name Department
Merritt B. Gerstad as Director of Photography. He was 28 (73) years old when He died Camera
Thornton Wilder as Novel. He was 31 (78) years old when He died Writing
Charles Brabin as Director. He was 45 (74) years old when He died Directing
Marian Ainslee as Writer. She was 33 (70) years old when She died Writing
Cedric Gibbons as Art Direction. He was 36 (67) years old when He died Art
Adrian as Costume Design. He was 26 (56) years old when He died Costume & Make-Up
Margaret Booth as Editor. She was 31 (104) years old when She died Editing
Ruth Cummings as Writer. She was 35 (90) years old when She died Writing
Hunt Stromberg as Producer. He was 34 (74) years old when He died Production
Alice D.G. Miller as Writer. She was 34 (91) years old when She died Writing
Homer Van Pelt as Still Photographer. He was 24 (68) years old when He died Camera
The Bridge of San Luis Rey poster
The Bridge of San Luis Rey (95 years)

  • Release day: Saturday, March 30, 1929
  • Runtime: 87 minutes