Kiki

Norma Talmadge, an actress who usually performed in melodrama during the 1910's and 1920's, displays her gift for comedy in "Kiki" (1926), a gift usually seen more often in the performances of her kooky sister Connie Talmadge ("Intolerance", "The Primitive Lover"). But Norma was a pro and could carry comedy off just as well as her sister (for example see Norma also in "The Social Secretary" (1916) for some witty moments).

"Kiki" starts off rather slowly and at first you are not sure you are going to like her character. She's a street kid who seems incredibly dumb, who lives alone but desires to get into the chorus line of a local show. Here she falls in love with incredibly handsome Ronald Colman, a tenor, and though she loves him instantly she puts off his advances by being silly and uncooperative. Through some really funny physical comedy the two eventually come together. Best part of the film is when Kiki pretends to be in a catatonic state just to be able to stay near her love. I was howling with laughter.

Kiki is definitely a worthwhile film to see if you are intrigued with the Talmadge Sisters. Too few of their films survive, but what does showcases enormous talent that should not be forgotten.

(1926) Kiki SILENT ROMANTIC COMEDY

Kiki (Norma Talmadge) acts like a kook who is naturally clumsy, with it's goal was it to live and marry the typical wealthy owner of a stage show. It happens to be the Ronald Coleman character as he plays, Victor Renal. Which if you can get past the first 30 minutes, since the other slapstick stuff was routinely old fashioned and rather predictable, than you might be able to make it the rest of the way. As some of the comedy bits is similar to other comedy stuff of that era, even though comedic giants such as Chaplin, Keaton and Harold Lloyd and other shorts...had done some of those comedic scenes better. The only difference with this movie as opposed to the others is that there is a story to be told here, with the slapstick serving nothing more but a backdrop.

On the streets of Paris, poor newspaper saleswoman Norma Talmadge (as Kiki) pines for debonair producer Ronald Colman (as Victor Renal). Encouraged by paperboy pal Frankie Darro (as Pierre), Ms. Talmadge spends her rent money on a new outfit and auditions for a position as chorus girl in Mr. Coleman's theater revue. She gets the job with some deception and performs on stage like Lucille Ball (likely in the audience), but makes audiences laugh. More importantly, Talmadge catches Coleman's romantic eye. However, he is engaged to blonde star Gertrude Astor (as Paulette Mascar)...

Superstar tragedienne Talmadge wisely shows her comic side in this first class success, produced with partner Joseph M. Schenck. They employed director Clarence Brown, photographer Oliver Marsh and amazing set artist William Cameron Menzies, to great effect. Comic servant George K. Arthur (as Adolphe) and veteran Marc McDermott (as "Baron" Rapp) contribute fine support. The unexplained relationship between Talmadge and young Darrow (he should have reappeared near the end) along with the "never been kissed" scene are meant to sell Talmadge as a teenager, which does not convince...

"Kiki" has been beautifully restored, and should hereafter be considered one of 1926's more important releases.

******** Kiki (4/4/26) Clarence Brown ~ Norma Talmadge, Ronald Colman, Gertrude Astor, George K. Arthur

Norma Talmadge plays the title role. Kiki is a goofy young Parisian lady who wants to join the chorus. Using her wits and a bit of trickery, she is able to become a chorus girl. Unfortunately, she's also a ditsy nut and soon loses her job. The boss (Ronald Colman) feels sorry for her, however, and he takes her home. Kiki is in love with him but his thoughts are for the diva of his company--a sophisticated and very demanding lady. Can Kiki manage to steal away his heart or is nice-guy Colman going to throw his life away on the diva? Norma is pretty good in this film but sometimes her character is a bit too goofy--making the humor a bit too broad. This is not a major complaint but prevents the movie from rising to the level of the best female silent comedies (such as Marion Davies in "Show People"). Enjoyable but slight.

By the way, since this is a Pre-Code film, there is some sexual innuendo you just won't see in post-1934 films. The most funny and bawdy is the bed bouncing scene--which you'll just have to see for yourself.

Romantic comedy starring Norma Talmadge who is terrific playing Kiki, waif who sells newspapers on a Paris street corner, she longs to sing in the local Follies revue, not to mention she's madly in love with the manager of the revue, who she admires longingly from afar. When the Follies needs a replacement singer, Kiki spends her rent money on a new outfit complete with gigantic checkered bow tie, piles of bangle bracelets, and beret topped with a long, wild feather - she soon tricks her way into the theater's office and into getting hired. Kiki is an energetic, feisty little fireball who is soon getting into fights with the manager's stuck-up girlfriend all in hot pursuit of the man she wants.

This film is both fun and funny, Talmadge is just great in her part - there is one scene where she is pretending to be catatonic and she holds her body stiff as a board while the characters manipulate her legs up and down, pick her up, move her stiff hands back and forth, etc. - well done and highly amusing. Ronald Colman, who plays the manager, is dashing and extremely handsome in this, as usual. There are also some amusing scenes with a rather prissy valet who is constantly in conflict with Kiki as she has managed to get herself ensconced in Colman's house and won't leave. An excellent silent film.