Cast Of Ten Nights In A Barroom

The story of Ten Nights in a Barroom, adapted multiple times from Timothy Shay Arthur’s influential 1854 novel and moralistic play, centers on the tragic downfall of Joe Morgan and his eventual redemption. Of the various screen incarnations, the 1931 sound film version, directed by William A. O’Connor, stands out for its clear-telling and strong performances. This topic highlights the key cast members whose portrayals bring the themes of vice, family tragedy, and hope to life.

William Farnum as Joe Morgan

The Fallen Miller

William Farnum plays Joe Morgan, a respected small-town miller whose life unravels due to his growing dependence on alcohol. Farnum, a veteran stage actor turned silent film star, brings gravitas and emotional depth to the role. As Joe descends into ruin, Farnum captures both the man’s vulnerability and inner conflict, making his journey toward redemption believable and poignant.

Emotional Arc

• At first, charming and responsible
• Falls into despair as his drinking worsens
• Expresses heartfelt regret and longing for his daughter’s forgiveness

Tom Santschi as Simon Slade

The Saloonkeeper Villain

Tom Santschi portrays Simon Slade, the unscrupulous saloonkeeper who enables Joe’s addiction. Santschi’s Slade is more than a caricature; he embodies the manipulative charms and moral blindness of commercial vice. Santschi’s performance adds complexity to what could have been a one-dimensional role.

Conflict Catalyst

Slade’s interactions with Joe escalate tension and highlight the community’s complicity, making him central to the moral conflict at the heart of the story.

Patty Lou Lynd as Mary Morgan

The Innocent Daughter

Patty Lou Lynd plays Joe’s young daughter, Mary, whose love and concern for her father serve as the emotional core of the film. Lynd’s tender and heart-wrenching performance amplifies the tragedy of Joe’s decline and the stakes of his choices. Her plea for him to return and the harrowing barroom scene become the film’s most memorable moments.

Robert Frazer as Dr. Romaine

The Voice of Reason

Robert Frazer takes on the role of Dr. Romaine, the local physician who witnesses Joe’s physical decline. As the compassionate voice of medical and moral authority, Dr. Romaine tries to guide Joe toward recovery. Frazer’s steady presence and measured delivery reinforce the film’s themes of duty and empathy.

Phyllis Barrington as Ann Slade

The Saloonkeeper’s Partner

Phyllis Barrington portrays Ann Slade, Simon’s wife. Though a supporting role, Ann’s character reflects the social consequences of the saloon’s influence. Her discomfort with her husband’s business adds tension and suggests a glimmer of conscience within the Slade household.

Rosemary Theby as Sarah Morgan

The Devoted Wife

Rosemary Theby plays Sarah Morgan, Joe’s wife and mother to Mary. Through subtle emotional nuance, she portrays the suffering of a woman standing by her husband while witnessing his self-destruction. Her role highlights the personal cost of Joe’s addiction on his family.

Thomas Jefferson as Silent Sam

The Watching Drunk

Thomas Jefferson appears as Silent Sam, a minor yet memorable character a barfly whose silent judgment and presence underscore the normalcy of addiction in the community. His silent observations lend gravity to the consequences of Joe’s downfall.

Additional Supporting Cast

• Lionel Belmoreplays Bill, the bartender an enabler whose friendliness contrasts with the larger moral decay of the saloon.
• John Darrowas Frank Slade, Simon’s son a witness to the rising tension and legacy of his father’s choices.
• Frank Leighappears as Harvey Green, a gambler whose schemes compound Joe’s losses.
• Sheila Bromleyportrays June Manners, a townsperson who represents communal reaction to the Morgan family’s plight.
• Harry Toddplays Sample, another bar patron, whose presence adds lived-in realism to the saloon environment.

Family Characters and Moral Stakes

Mary Morgan’s Tragic Role

Patty Lou Lynd’s Mary is the emotional linchpin. Her innocence and pleas during Joe’s drunken spiral create the deep emotional connection that drives Joe’s eventual transformation.

Sarah Morgan’s Silent Strength

Rosemary Theby’s Sarah adds weight to Joe’s decisions. Her silent suffering reinforces the moral responsibility embedded in the storyline.

Community Voices

Barside Observers and Schemers

Characters like Silent Sam, Bill the bartender, and Harvey Green reflect larger community attitudes toward alcoholism and vice. They represent the societal context that shaped the narrative and underscore the story’s cautionary message.

Next Generation Witnesses

Frank Slade, June Manners, and other minor figures bring subtlety and depth. They serve as witnesses to the unfolding drama and silently weigh the moral failings around them.

Cast Dynamics and On-Screen Relationships

Farnum vs. Santschi

The tension between William Farnum and Tom Santschi is a highlight. Their interactions Farnum’s struggle and Santschi’s provocation drive the film’s moral and emotional narrative.

Family Cohesion

The Morgan family scenes, especially between Joe, Sarah, and Mary, bring warmth and heartbreak. The performances build trust before shattering it, enhancing the film’s emotional payout.

Legacy and Significance

A Case Study in Temperance Drama

The 1931 adaptation remains a compelling example of early sound-era moral cinema. Its clear storytelling and strong performances contributed significantly to the temperance cinema tradition.

Personal Transformations

The cast’s effectiveness is found in how performances humanize the struggle with addiction. Joe’s fall and rise resonate through Farnum’s lead, supported by a family and community that reflects pain and hope.

The cast of Ten Nights in a Barroom (1931) brings Timothy Shay Arthur’s moral tale to life with sincerity and depth. William Farnum’s portrayal of the alcoholic Joe Morgan is both tragic and redemptive, while Patty Lou Lynd’s Mary serves as the emotional pivot of the story. Tom Santschi’s villainous Simon Slade, Robert Frazer’s compassionate Dr. Romaine, Rosemary Theby’s suffering Sarah, and Thomas Jefferson’s silent observer create a community that enlivens the drama. Together, they craft a cautionary tale about alcohol’s destructive power and the possibility of redemption, making this adaptation a memorable piece of social commentary and early American cinema.

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