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.

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.

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.

Report from Cinesation 2006: KIKI (****) As Jeanine Basinger says in her book on Silent Stars, perhaps the biggest hole in our understanding of silent stardom is the career of Norma Talmadge-- she likens it to knowing talkies without ever seeing Bette Davis. This sparkling new Library of Congress restoration of a 1926 Parisian showbiz farce is atypical for the grande dame roles Talmadge usually played, but as with Marion Davies and Show People, it wouldn't be the worst fate for a star to be known mainly to history for a first-class comedy.

Talmadge, at thirtysomething more game than gamine, is a plucky street gal who weasels her way into producer Ronald Colman's chorus line, his home, and his heart. Because a number of folks present had seen it just a month before at Cinecon, I was prepped for the idea that it was something of a screwball comedy with neither lead behaving in any way that real humans would. (The word "stalker" was used on alt.movies.silent, and aptly so.) But taken as kind of a silent Twentieth Century or Bringing Up Baby, it had lots of laughs, and Talmadge pulls off the comedy beautifully (as does George K. Arthur, as her archrival among Colman's servants).

If anyone has a complete version of this out there, I would love to get in touch with you. My copy is missing a couple of reels. So, I don't know exactly HOW Ronald and Norma met in the movie.

Despite the missing reels, I thoroughly enjoyed this little movie. Despite the picture quality not being very good, it was fun and playful and Norma Talmadge was a hoot - especially where she is "comatose"! Ronald Colman was also young, chipper, and handsome - and of course, there's the evil "other woman" in his life.

If you can find a copy of this film, even incomplete, do see it. It's not a masterpiece, but it is fun to watch, and I think anyone would be amused.