Cocaine (film)
Encyclopedia
Cocaine is a 1922 British crime film
directed by Graham Cutts
and starring Hilda Bayley
, Flora Le Breton
, Ward McAllister
and Cyril Raymond
. A melodrama
– it depicts the distribution of cocaine
by gangsters through a series of London nightclub
s and the revenge sought by a man after the death of his daughter.
Because of its depiction of drug use
, it was the most controversial British film of the 1920s. It was feared by the authorities that it might encourage the spread of narcotics. However, as the film had a clear message about the dangers of using drugs it was eventually passed by the censors in June 1922 and released in some cinemas under the alternative title
While London Sleeps.
The Chinese gangster Min Fu was reportedly based on a real-life criminal Brilliant Chang.
Crime film
Crime films are films which focus on the lives of criminals. The stylistic approach to a crime film varies from realistic portrayals of real-life criminal figures, to the far-fetched evil doings of imaginary arch-villains. Criminal acts are almost always glorified in these movies.- Plays and films...
directed by Graham Cutts
Graham Cutts
Graham Cutts was a British film director who was one of the leading British directors in the 1920s. His fellow director A. V. Bramble believed that Gainsborough Pictures had been built on the back of his work. His daughter was actress Patricia Cutts...
and starring Hilda Bayley
Hilda Bayley
Hilda Christabel Bailey was a British film actress. In 1922 she appeared in the controversial crime film Cocaine.-Selected filmography:* The Barton Mystery * Carnival * Cocaine * Flames of Passion...
, Flora Le Breton
Flora Le Breton
Flora le Breton was an English silent film actress from Croydon, Surrey, England. She was blonde with dark blue eyes. In her own country she was called the English Mary Pickford.-Heritage:...
, Ward McAllister
Ward McAllister (actor)
Ward McAllister was an American film actor of the silent era.He was born in Apollo, Pennsylvania as Ward David McAllister. In 1922 he appeared as the villain in the controversial British crime film Cocaine.-Selected filmography:...
and Cyril Raymond
Cyril Raymond
Cyril William North Raymond MBE was a British character actor....
. A melodrama
Melodrama
The term melodrama refers to a dramatic work that exaggerates plot and characters in order to appeal to the emotions. It may also refer to the genre which includes such works, or to language, behavior, or events which resemble them...
– it depicts the distribution of cocaine
Cocaine
Cocaine is a crystalline tropane alkaloid that is obtained from the leaves of the coca plant. The name comes from "coca" in addition to the alkaloid suffix -ine, forming cocaine. It is a stimulant of the central nervous system, an appetite suppressant, and a topical anesthetic...
by gangsters through a series of London nightclub
Nightclub
A nightclub is an entertainment venue which usually operates late into the night...
s and the revenge sought by a man after the death of his daughter.
Because of its depiction of drug use
Drug use
Drug use may refer to any drug use; or:* Drug abuse* Drug addiction* Entheogenic drug use* Medication* Performance-enhancing drug use* Recreational drug use* Self medication...
, it was the most controversial British film of the 1920s. It was feared by the authorities that it might encourage the spread of narcotics. However, as the film had a clear message about the dangers of using drugs it was eventually passed by the censors in June 1922 and released in some cinemas under the alternative title
Alternative title
An alternative title is a film distribution device. Films are commonly released under a different title when they are screened or sold in a different country. This can vary from small alteration to the title, such as the addition of The, to wholesale changes...
While London Sleeps.
The Chinese gangster Min Fu was reportedly based on a real-life criminal Brilliant Chang.
Cast
- Hilda BayleyHilda BayleyHilda Christabel Bailey was a British film actress. In 1922 she appeared in the controversial crime film Cocaine.-Selected filmography:* The Barton Mystery * Carnival * Cocaine * Flames of Passion...
– Jenny - Flora Le BretonFlora Le BretonFlora le Breton was an English silent film actress from Croydon, Surrey, England. She was blonde with dark blue eyes. In her own country she was called the English Mary Pickford.-Heritage:...
– Madge Webster - Ward McAllisterWard McAllister (actor)Ward McAllister was an American film actor of the silent era.He was born in Apollo, Pennsylvania as Ward David McAllister. In 1922 he appeared as the villain in the controversial British crime film Cocaine.-Selected filmography:...
– Min Fu - Cyril RaymondCyril RaymondCyril William North Raymond MBE was a British character actor....
– Stanley - Tony Fraser – Loki
- Teddy ArundellTeddy Arundell-Selected filmography:* Nelson * Mr. Wu * The Elusive Pimpernel * The Amateur Gentleman * The Tavern Knight * Greatheart * The Four Just Men * General John Regan...
– Montagu Webster