| re: Chicago (1927 version) streaming at Film Forum, starting July 10 | |
| Last Edit: Marlo*Manners 06:36 pm EDT 07/03/20 | |
| Posted by: Marlo*Manners 06:33 pm EDT 07/03/20 | |
| In reply to: Chicago (1927 version) streaming at Film Forum, starting July 10 - JayG 10:39 am EDT 07/03/20 | |
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| Some notes - this was also streaming on Kanopy app which was offered free for a while through the NY Public Library. That is how I saw it. The NYPL quit offering this service to their library members to save money. Despite the credit for direction to Frank Urson, it was actually directed by Cecil B. DeMille who is the credited producer. The print of the film was found in DeMille's archive which was reserved for movies he directed. Phyllis Haver is fantastic as Roxie - overtly cheap, venal and amoral and hilariously superficial and self-absorbed. She has elements of Jean Harlow and Joan Blondell in her screen persona. I would love to be able to hear Haver's voice and delivery but she married a rich man in 1929 and didn't continue into the talkie era of the 30's where she would have shone as a wisecracking comedienne in pre-code comedies. The screenwriter decided to turn Amos Hart into a sympathetic leading man played by Roumanian Victor Varconi as an all-American stand-up guy. A little slavy played by Virginia Bradford is pining after him on the sidelines until he sees the light regarding his floozy wife. Excellent supporting cast with May Robson as Mama Morton, DeMille mistress and regular player Julia Faye as "The Lady" which is basically Velma Kelly in a small supporting role with a huge catfight brawl with Roxie that everyone seems to enjoy watching from the sidelines. Eugene Pallette is Fred Casely, Roxie's victim. From the play, we get the characters of a news reporter and photographer who act as Roxie's advisers and mentors advising her how to pose for the press and to hire Billy Flynn for her defense. The film is terrifically funny and has considerable visual flair and great pacing - I actually prefer it to the Ginger Rogers 1942 sound remake. Marlo Manners (Lady Barrington) |
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