Show people

USA 1928

Dir: King Vidor

78 mins

Cast: Marion Davies, William Haines, Dell Henderson

As an entertainment Show People is a good number. It has laughs, studio atmosphere galore, intimate glimpses of various stars, considerable Hollywood geography, and just enough sense and plausibility to hold it together. ...

Davies is obviously mimicking the peculiar pucker of the lips identified with Mae Murray, former MGM star. However, at other times the story suggests the career of Gloria Swanson, particularly with emphasis upon the custard pie gal becoming an emotional actress. Bebe Daniels is also suggested.

Variety

King Vidor ... directs this historically important silent that’s a gentle satire of Hollywood. It was mostly inspired by the career of Gloria Swanson, but also serves to parody the career of Marion Davies (William Randolph Hearst’s mistress) and several other silent actresses. ...

It’s engagingly written by Agnes Christine Johnstone and Laurence Stallings. There are some laughs, a good sense of studio atmosphere, some gentle spoofing of the stars and just enough of a determination of purpose to pull it off without falling on its face. 

Dennis Schwartz: “Ozus’ World Movie Reviews”