Vedette

I saw this film today at the San Francisco Silent Film Festival (10th Annual). I'd never seen Gloria Swanson in one of her silent films, knowing her mainly for her work in SUNSET BOULEVARD where she appeared under the direction of master Billy Wilder. Having seen STAGE STRUCK (directed by Alan Dwan), one immediately sees that Miss Swanson was a major acting talent and a superb comedienne with terrific timing. Moreover, she really knew how to "work the camera." Her performance is so modern, clever, and smart in a very cinematic way that you'd think she was born to be a movie star! Put aside your preconceptions of the typical silent screen actress and check out this performance if the opportunity arises. The print we saw today was a restoration by the George Eastman House in New York.

Unlike many people, I had seen Gloria Swanson in some silent films and early talkies before I watched Sunset Boulevard (a film which still gives me nightmares). I knew that she was a very good dramatic actress with a lot of star quality, but I was surprised to find that she was a comedienne.

Even if you didn't know about her starting in Keystone comedies, her very good comedic timing still shines through. Her acting style is ahead of its time- she could convey emotion using only her face without descending into over-the-top spastic acting like some of her contemporaries. Her character of Jenny is adorable.

Her pratfalls and jokes do not seem forced, her dreams, aspirations and love for Orme (what kind of a name is that) come across like real emotions.

Jenny is a simple waitress, desperately in love with Orme, the pancake flipper. She secretly does his washing, even buying him a new, expensive shirt when she accidentally ruins his.

He, however, has a thing for actresses, so she decides to become an actress (using acting lessons by mail). Slapstick antics are persistent throughout the film- there's one scene where Jenny takes over Orme's pancake stand that is very funny. The ending scenes are also a hoot.

Will love triumph over paper idols? You'll have to see this film to find out.

Swanson was a unique looking woman, with those unique light-coloured eyes, so it's funny that Orme doesn't realize that she may be a catch sooner.

The first and last scenes are shot in two-strip technicolour, and pretty well at that. The opening has Swanson, as an actress (in a daydream) doing a Salome impersonation.

You notice right away the beautiful camera work by the actors in their facial expressions. Gloria Swanson especially knows how to communicate her feelings. . It's a different kind of acting and so expressive and beautiful. Gloria Swanson is a star and very active on the comedy, physical comedy. She's heartbreaking trying to get her man, but there's soon relief. It's important to know Gloria Swanson beyond Sunset Boulevard and you can see her early star power here!

Silent films weren't silent. They had real live music, and usually am organ. We had a Wurlitzer organ at the stunning Stanford Theatre on University Avenue in Palo Alto!

A good silent and the sweetest ending. It's a beautiful scene, scenery and heart at the end- all in color! Enjoy!

Gloria Swanson stars as "Jenny," a clumsy and unsophisticated waitress in love with her flap-jack flipping co-worker "Orme." Only problem is, Orme only has eyes for actresses. When the yearly (?) showboat glides into their West Virginia town with its show and new actress, Orme is smitten. Jenny, who has secretly been working on getting a correspondence course certificate in acting, tries to imitate the showboat actress but fails miserably. But she is given her chance to prove her acting chops ... Throughout Swanson works some real pathos into this slapstick comedy. She's generally terrific throughout. The story gets a bit convoluted at times, but this is a pretty enjoyable flick that begins with a Salome performance in Technicolor! Check it out if you get the chance.

Saw this about 5 years ago at the Paramount in Seattle with organ accompaniment. It's great. Paramount (the production company) obviously wanted to get some of that Charlie Chaplin loot and so crafted this vehicle for Ms. Swanson. She's a total pro and the resultant comedy, physical, visual, cultural and cinematic plays out, as mentioned elsewhere, with Technicolor sequences an unexpected bonus. It's entertaining no matter what format you might view it in but catch it in a theater, with good musical accompaniment, if you can.

Actually I'm going to the Paramount tonight to see It with Clara Bow. The Paramount has one of the last extant house organs (full pipes, effects and percussion) in the country.