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.

calvinnme 1928 is in many ways a "lost year" in motion pictures. Just as some of the finest films of the silent era were being made in every genre, sound was coming in and - while reaping great profits at the box office - was setting the art of film-making back about five years as the film industry struggled with the new technology."Show People" is one of the great silent era comedies. The film shows that William Haines had comic skills beyond his usual formula of the obnoxious overconfident guy who turns everyone against him, learns his lesson, and then redeems himself by winning the football game, the polo game, etc. This movie is also exhibit A for illustrating that Marion Davies was no Susan Alexander Kane. She had excellent comic instincts and timing. This film starts out as the Beverly Hillbillies-like adventure of Peggy Pepper (Marion Davies) and her father, General Marmaduke Oldfish Pepper, fresh from the old South. General Pepper has decided that he will let some lucky movie studio executive hire his daughter as an actress. While at the studio commissary, the Peppers run into Billy Boone (William Haines), a slapstick comedian. He gets Peggy an acting job. She's unhappy when she finds out it is slapstick, but she perseveres. Eventually she is discovered by a large studio and she and Billy part ways as she begins to take on dramatic roles. Soon the new-found fame goes to her head, and she is about to lose her public and gain a royal title when she decides to marry her new leading man, whom she doesn't really love, unless fate somehow intervenes.One of the things MGM frequently does in its late silent-era films and in its early sound-era films is feature shots of how film-making was done at MGM circa 1930. This film is one of those, as we get Charlie Chaplin trying to get Peggy's autograph, an abundance of cameos of MGM players during that era including director King Vidor himself, and even a cameo of Marion Davies as Peggy seeing Marion Davies as Marion Davies arriving at work on the lot. Peggy grimaces and mentions that she doesn't care for her. Truly a delight from start to finish, this is a silent that is definitely worth your while. This is one of the films that I also recommend you use to introduce people to the art of silent cinema as it is very accessible.

wes-connors There are no people like "Show People" Marion Davies (as Peggy Pepper) and William Haines (as Billy Boone). My introduction to Ms. Davies was a "clip" from this film; the delightfully spoofy one in which she lowers a scarf to reveal different emotions. My introduction to Mr. Haines was in viewing this film, presently; though, it's possible I've seen him in a less memorable role. Haines makes an incredible impression, when he joins Davies for a commissary meal - tossing his hat into the ring with some wonderful bits at the dining table. Indeed, Haines and Davies deliver great comic performances.The story starts off with Dell Henderson (Colonel Pepper) driving daughter Davies into Hollywood, certain she will become Tinseltown's newest sensation. Indeed, Davies and the already arrived Haines become comedy stars. But, Davies yearns to become a true drama queen. Davies leaves Haines, and partners up with the dashingly dramatic Paul Ralli. But, audiences prefer Davies in more comic roles; perhaps director King Vidor is offering up a case for art imitating life? Full of great Hollywood location footage, both on the set, and off. Full of great "cameos"; at a studio lunch, at the stars' table, Davies sits between Douglas Fairbanks and William S. Hart. The best "bit" player, however, is Charlie Chaplin, who has enough nerve to ask Davies for her autograph! While the cameos are fun, they, and the episodic sequences, do help "Show People" become less of an important film, and more of an important historical document. ******** Show People (11/11/28) King Vidor ~ Marion Davies, William Haines, Dell Henderson

drednm Updated from a previous comment. The great and underrated Marion Davies shows her comedic stuff in this late (1928) silent comedy that also showcases the wonderful William Haines. Davies plays a hick from Georgia who crashes Hollywood with help from Haines, a bit player in crude comedies. They appear together in cheap comedies until Marion is "discovered" and becomes a big dramatic star.Among the greats scenes are Marion's introduction to films (where she gets a big surprise), Marion's departure from the comedy troupe, and Marion's wedding-day comeuppance. A great lampoon on Hollywood and its pretensions. Davies & Haines are a wonderful team, and the guest shots from the likes of Charlie Chaplin, Douglas Fairbanks, William S. Hart, John Gilbert, Elinor Glyn, Norma Talmadge, Mae Murray, Rod LaRocque, Leatrice Joy, Dorothy Sebastian, Estelle Taylor, Louella Parsons, Renee Adoree, Aileen Pringle, Lew Cody, King Vidor, and Marion Davies (you have to see it) are a hoot. A must for any serious film buff or for anyone interested in the still-maligned Marion Davies! Dell Henderson plays the father. Harry Gribbon is the comedy director, Polly Moran is a maid. Paul Ralli is the slimy leading man.SHOW PEOPLE was said to have used the career of Gloria Swanson as its model (I think Mae Murray is closer). Davies and Swanson were friends. But this film's story does parallel the rise of Swanson from one-reel Mack Sennett comedies with Charlie Chaplin to STAR in Cecil B. DeMille films of the late teens and early 20s.Davies and Haines were huge MGM stars and friends. Odd that MGM never teamed them up in a talkie. They're great together! A sweet romance and delightful spoof of early Hollywood. Gloria Swanson, Greta Garbo, Bebe Daniels, Pola Negri, Mary Pickford, Harold Lloyd, Alla Nazimova are mentioned but do not appear.There are two versions of this silent classic on DVD. One has the original synchronized score (which features the song "Crossroads") and a British version by Kevin Brownlow (which features a new score by Carl Davis). Marion Davies and William Haines are great in this film, not to be missed!