Vintage original 11x14 in. US lobby card from the first sound version of the famous Temperance-themed drama, TEN NIGHTS IN A BAR-ROOM, released in 1931 on a states rights basis by multiple distributors across the US and directed by William A. O'Connor. It follows the storyline in the 1854 novel, Ten Nights in a Bar-Room and What I Saw There, by Timothy Shay Arthur, and based upon the play by Edwin Waugh, in which a man's (William Farnum) heavy drinking drives away his family and threatens to destroy his relationship with his little daughter (Patty Lou Lynd). The cast includes Tom Santschi, Robert Frazer, Phyllis Barrington, Rosemary Theby, Thomas Jefferson, Lionel Belmore, and Harry Todd.

Printed for the film's original 1931 US theatrical release, the image depicts the film's most famous sequence: the epic fist-fight between rivals Simon Slade (Tom Santschi) and Joe Morgan (William Farnum) as they slug it out inside of a bar with large barrels of liquor near them. This set of lobby cards was made with a beautiful glossy finish that makes the colors pop. The border artwork along the left side features different characters inside of a beer glass on each card. This one depicts the film's romantic leads, including Dr. Romaine (Robert Frazer). As this film was made several times before this version, it was noted that this was an "ALL NEW--ALL TALKING" production. This vintage original lobby card is unrestored in near-fine condition with a tear and creases on the top left corner within the borders; discoloration in the borders; two 1 in. rough creases in the top border near the right corner; a small water stain on the bottom right corner; and light signs of wear on the bottom left corner. The rich color tints are fresh and vibrant without any signs of fading and there are no pinholes or other flaws.

 

The corollary 1854 novel written by Arthur was a financial success and the second most popular book of the Victorian era--only Uncle Tom's Cabin sold better. The mood of the country supported the Temperance movement and anti-alcohol sentiment. The prohibition theme was adapted into a 1858 Broadway play by William W. Pratt, a 1901 silent film, a now lost 1910 silent film, a 1913 adaption silent film, a 1921 silent film directed by Oscar Apfel, and then this 1931 film. There is a 1926 silent film version where a drunkard is swindled out of his mill business, but is later reborn and he runs for mayor. This 1931 version is sometimes confused with D. W. Griffith's 1931 talkie, The Struggle. In 1940, a distributor named B. A. Mills of B&M Pictures considered re-releasing the Griffith film under the new title but dropped the idea when informed of the heavy Code cuts that would be required (Source: March 7, 1940 letter from F. S. Harmon in the MPPDA/MPAA files at the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences).