gridoon2018 "Show Of Shows" is one of those films that separate the men from the boys, so to speak. The casual viewers will probably abandon it within the first 5 minutes, leaving the hardcore buffs trying to spot some recognizable faces (just because these people were stars in 1929 does not automatically mean that they all had much of a film career later, even in the 1930s). To be fair, some of the formations in the gigantic dance numbers are architecturally stunning, a color sequence with a young Myrna Loy livens things up a little, and the film ends with about ten minutes of mighty impressive (and frenetic) dancing. But most of the comedy does not come across, most of the singing is indecipherable (perhaps due to the primitive 1929 sound technology), and some parts (especially the monologues) are simply unendurable. Still, I'm glad the film survives - it's history preserved. ** out of 4.

wes-connors A really big show from Warner Bros. "The Show of Shows" was the studio's version of rival MGM's highly successful musical variety series (which are, presently, restored by Warner Bros.). Unfortunately, only the "Oriental" number introduced by Rin Tin Tin is currently availably in color; originally, only a small part of this film was presented in black and white. Audiences likely enjoyed the extravagant opportunity to see some of their favorite stars in an "All-talking, all-singing!" motion picture...Contributing also as a writer, host Frank Fay does a good job. The studio's biggest star at the time was Richard Barthelmess (rising from #8 in 1928 to #7 in 1929 according to the annual Quigley Poll of Box Office stars); he does not sing or dance, preferring to briefly appear as a dignified presenter. The legendary Al Jolson does not appear at all, but Sid Silvers imitates him well. John Barrymore contributes a fine excerpt as "Richard III" from "Henry VI" - rare celluloid from the Shakespearian maestro...Another highlight is the biggest hit song from the show, "Lady Luck" performed memorably by band-leader Ted Lewis (who took it to #3 on the record charts) and singer-guitarist Nick Lucas (who helped keep Lewis from rising higher by locking down #1 for ten weeks with his "Tip Toe Through the Tulips"). Of the many cover versions, "Singin' in the Bathtub" (a good-natured poke at MGM's "Singin' in the Rain") rose to #10 in a version by Guy and Carmen Lombardo; here, Winnie Lightner contributes a vibrant version.***** The Show of Shows (11/21/29) John G. Adolfi ~ Frank Fay, Nick Lucas, Winnie Lightner, John Barrymore

Michael_Elliott Show of Shows, The (1929) ** (out of 4) Frank Fay plays "host" to Warner's version of the all-star revue, which every major studio was doing when sound came into play and they wanted to show off the "talent" that they owned. As with the other studio revue films, this one here is deadly dull, boring and poorly made but it's still historically important and interesting considering all the talent gathered in one film. Such famous faces you'll see include: John Barrymore, Loretta Young, Richard Barthelmess, Noah Beery, Douglas Fairbanks, Jr., Dolores Costello, Myrna Loy, Lloyd Hamilton, Chester Morris, Nick Lucas, Ann Sothern, Alice White and Rin Tin Tin among others. THE SHOW OF SHOWS isn't a good movie and there's no way around that but when you look at the number of stars you still will want to sit through the extremely long 128-minute running time. There's really no logic to how or why the acts do what they do as one second you might be in the middle of a dance sequence then you'll jump to a comedy bit and then it will be a singing session and then it just keeps jumping around. It's clear these things were just shot over a period of time and then thrown together for release but from what I've read a few other known stars had their scenes deleted so apparently this ran even longer. The majority of the songs are quite forgettable but there were a couple dance sequences, which managed to be very good. One happens towards the start and the women are pretty much in a square but then break off into other shapes. Another happens towards the middle of the picture as a group of dancers are wearing dresses that are black on one side and white on the other. The acts that just show off the famous faces are usually poorly written and it appears that most of the actors really aren't giving it their all but I'm guessing they could have been more worried making sure their voices were OK. The bit with Chester Morris, one of my favorites, is pretty forgettable as an example. Some of the highlights include a terrific John Barrymore doing a scene from Richard III and there's a 2-strip Technicolor sequence where Rin Tin Tin introduces (!?!) Loy in a Chinese skit. Film buffs will want to sit through this thing just to see the various stars but those new to the old days of Hollywood might want to watch some of the classics first before going back to these revue flicks.

Floyd Bekins Although dismal as cinema (static wide-angle camera records acts performed on a large theatre stage) it is great notstalgia to see (in a few rare close-ups) stars of the 20's, many of whom were yet to become famous. Particularly, as Master of Ceremonies, Frank Fay, who, 15 years later in 1944, would be cast on Broadway in a role which had already been offered to (and turned down by) 4 famous stars: Harold Lloyd, Edward Everett Horton, Robert Benchley, and Jack Haley. Frank Fay then originated in his greatest role the character Elwood P. Dowd in the Mary Chase play "Harvey" (the name of his imaginary 6-foot-tall rabbit friend). When the producers later sent Fay to take the National Touring Company cast on the road, the play then continued on Broadway with the remaining cast, but with role of Elwood P. Dowd played by James Stewart, who had just finished his movie characterization of George Bailey (It's Wonderful Life). Another road show cast I saw in 1947 at San Francisco's Geary Theatre starred Joe E. Brown, who would recommend Stewart for the movie version.