Show People **** (1928, Marion Davies, William Haines, Dell Henderson) – Classic Movie Review 9704

Hollywood’s favourite subject – Hollywood – spurs this deservedly famous, still amusing silent comedy story of the rise and rise of Peggy Pepper (wonderful Marion Davies) from green Georgia girl, to slapstick stooge to dramatic actress, who becomes a spoiled diva on her way up.

The 1928 Show People is played with verve, and director King Vidor takes a knowing look at the silent movie scene (particularly the studio lunch at the luncheon table with a lot of silent stars). The main character Peggy Pepper (played by Marion Davies) sees Marion Davies in the MGM studios and concludes that she does not seem that special!

It also stars William Haines as Billy Boone, Dell Henderson as Colonel Pepper, and Paul Ralli as Andre Telfair, along with Harry Gribbon, Polly Moran, Tenen Holtz, Sidney Bracey and Albert Conti.

There is great added interest in the galaxy of guests: John Gilbert, Charles Chaplin, Elinor Glyn, Douglas Fairbanks Sr, Mary Pickford, William S Hart, Norma Talmadge, Mae Murray, Rod La Rocque, Karl Dane, Renée Adorée, Leatrice Joy, Louella Parsons, Dorothy Sebastian and Vidor himself.

A revered treasure of silent cinema, it is inspired by the career of Gloria Swanson, who started in comedy. Though silent, it was accompanied by a synchronised musical score by William Axt and sound effects. It was one of the last silent films to be a major box-office hit.

John Gilbert makes three appearances.

Show People is directed by King Vidor, runs 83 minutes (copyright length) or 78 minutes (Turner Library Print), is made by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM) and Cosmopolitan Productions, is released by MGM, is written by Wanda Tuchock (continuity), Ralph Spence (titles), Agnes Christine Johnston (treatment) and Laurence Stallings (treatment), is shot in black and white by John Arnold, is produced by Marion Davies, Irving Thalberg and King Vidor, is scored by William Axt or Carl Davis (1982), and is designed by Cedric Gibbons.

Kevin Brownlow organised a 1982 restoration of Show People, with a new score composed and conducted by Carl Davis.

The Turner Classic Movies version is the originally released print with the original score.

Though this is the first time Davies and Haines starred together, they remained close friends until her death in 1961.

© Derek Winnert 2020 Classic Movie Review 9704

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