Platicsco Good story, Not enough for a whole film

AnhartLinkin This story has more twists and turns than a second-rate soap opera.

Taraparain Tells a fascinating and unsettling true story, and does so well, without pretending to have all the answers.

Aiden Melton The storyline feels a little thin and moth-eaten in parts but this sequel is plenty of fun.

atlasmb Yes, this silent film is memorable for its story about a young actress who "graduates" from earthy comedies to more sophisticated dramas. And the acting is more than adequate, for its time. Legendary Marion Davies portrays Peggy, whose head is turned by money, stardom, and station.But what makes this film a treasure for me is the glimpses it provides into the inner workings of the film studios of its day. This is due to its film-within-a-film story. As the director in the film (Vidor playing himself) directs (Davies playing) Peggy playing a film role, the viewer gets to see film set-up, the cameras rolling, the crew behind the cameras, the sets, the action of the film from a different perspective, and even geese wranglers.By capturing these behind-the-scene scenes, "Show People" preserves a historical slice of nascent cinema techniques. Soon the talkies would arrive and transform the art of cinema.

henway5-1 We'll never really know if the influence of newspaper, real estate and mining tycoon William Randolph Hearst helped the love of his life in her ambitions, or effectively put the kibosh on the career of Marion Davies. Marion, herself, laid out her dilemma in her as-told-to memoir "The Times We Had," claiming that Hearst's heavy-handed promotion of her didn't exactly endear her to the public, and that it created expectations of her so high that it would lead to disappointment. (That book of recollections also confirmed the belief of some that Hearst controlled every aspect of her films, even dialog and direction.) And so there will always be the question: would Marion Davies have won more respect among critics and appreciation of the public without her benefactor constantly horning in? Marion was not particularly deft in drama, but in the area of comedy, there is no question she was one of cinema's most adroit, effortless and effective comediennes. A perfect example is "Show People." Here, Marion gets to do what she does best: poke fun at her contemporaries (in particular, Mae Murray of the bee-stung lips), Hollywood, film-making, and herself. The story is simple. Lovely, perky blond Peggy Pepper of Georgia arrives in Hollywood with dreams of being a great dramatic actress. She meets a Mack Sennett-type comedy clown named Billy Boone, who gets her a job throwing pies and taking blasts of seltzer "on the chin" in popular comic shorts. This leads to Peggy Pepper's ascension to over-acted, schmaltzy "high art" films, in which her new billing is Patricia Pepoire. And with her new status as a serious dramatic actress come aspirations (delusions, perhaps) of royalty. Here, Marion really socks it to silent superstar Mae Murray as well as her real-life friend Gloria Swanson, in razor-sharp parody. In a co-starring but secondary role is William Haines as Peggy's helper and love interest. Haines is wonderful as the typical over-the-top baggy-pants movie comic of that wonderful silent era. Mostly forgotten now, Haines was enormously popular at the time (1928), handsome, likable and athletic, but would soon be a casualty of both the switch to talkies, as well as personal discord with MGM boss Louis B. Mayer. Those viewers who are unfamiliar with Davies' work will get an true sample of her worth, and Davies fans who haven't seen "Show People" will get confirmation that aside from being beautiful, she was, when given excellent scripts and direction, one of filmdom's most talented comediennes, Hearst or no Hearst.

sdave7596 Marion Davies stars in this remarkable comedy "Show People" released by MGM in 1928. Davies plays a hick from Savannah, Georgia, who arrives in Hollywood with her father (Dell Henderson). The jalopy they arrive in is a hoot - as is Davies outrageous southern costume. Davies lands a job in slapstick comedy, not what she wants, but it brings her success. She meets fellow slapstick star William Haines, who is immediately smitten with her. Well, Davies then gets a job at a more prestigious studio ("High Art Studios") and lands a job in stuffy period pieces. A handsome but fake actor (Andre Telefair) shows her the ropes of how to be the typical pretentious Hollywood star. Davies abandons her slapstick friend and father for the good life, but of course learns that is not who she really is. Marion Davies is wonderful throughout, as she - outrageously - runs the gamut of emotions required of a "serious" actress. William Haines is his usual wonderful comedic self, and there are cameos by Charles Chaplin, John Gilbert, and other famous stars of the day, including the director of the film, King Vidor. This is a silent film with a few "sound effects" as sound pictures were just coming into their own. A treasure of a film.

bkoganbing Back in the day if Marion Davies had had her druthers and didn't just listen to William Randolph Hearst, she'd have done more films like Show People and been a lot happier. In fact when you see her get her first big break in two reel comedy, she'd have loved to have done that in her career instead of such epics like When Knighthood Was In Flower and Janice Meredith. What you're seeing by all accounts in Show People is the real Davies, a gifted comedienne, a superb mimic and a generous good hearted person. She could really identify with the character of Peggy Pepper aka Patricia Prepoire, she put up with her share of pretense in her Hollywood stardom.If the plot of Show People was set in the legitimate stage you would call it a backstage story. I guess it being one of the first movies about the movies you could call it a behind the camera story. Marion is eager young hopeful who arrives in Hollywood like so many others, looking for that big break. She wants to drama, but her introduction to the movies is as the foil for the burlesque comics. She gets her share of pie and seltzer in the face, but learns her trade. And also wins the heart of young comic actor William Haines.She does get her first big break, but it doesn't come for Haines as well and Marion does get to do legitimate drama with actor Paul Ralli, playing Andre Telfair, a pretend no account Count of Avignon. Somebody here was taking a shot at actor Lou Tellegen, lover and husband of Sarah Bernhardt and Geraldine Farrar and others and to hear tell of it, one of the most despised people in cinema.Show People was one of the first films to have the unbilled cameo appearances of stars as themselves. You will get to see folks like Charlie Chaplin, Douglas Fairbanks, William S. Hart, Mae Murray, John Gilbert, Eleanor Boardman etc., just being themselves in and around the film colony. That in itself makes Show People a film worth saving.Show People also made good use of standard Tin Pan Alley songs like, Ain't We Got Fun, I'm Sitting On Top Of The World, You'd Be Surprised, California, Here I Come. As the film came out on the cusp of sound being introduced, a song called Crossroads was introduced in it. It's not a bad number, but no credit is given to the boy and girl singing it in the soundtrack. I guess since they're not seen, it was felt no billing was necessary. Still I'd like to know and I'm sure you would to if you are fortunate enough to see Show People.It's easy to see why Marion Davies liked this film so much and considered it a personal favorite. She looks so at home in this film and her real life lack of pretense shines through in her performance which makes it a real treat for the audience.