A blowhard who poses as a railroad executive but is really just a $30-a-week clerk catches a young bride, then drives her family's finances to the brink of ruin.A blowhard who poses as a railroad executive but is really just a $30-a-week clerk catches a young bride, then drives her family's finances to the brink of ruin.A blowhard who poses as a railroad executive but is really just a $30-a-week clerk catches a young bride, then drives her family's finances to the brink of ruin.
Charles Goodrich
- Pop Fisher
- (as C.W. Goodrich)
Claire McDowell
- Mom Fisher
- (as Clare Mc Dowell)
Joseph W. Smiley
- Railroad Executive
- (uncredited)
- Director
- Writers
- All cast & crew
- Production, box office & more at IMDbPro
Featured review
I also saw this on the DVD double in which it is paired with Clara Bow's "The Plastic Age". That is the one I mainly wanted to see, as I only recently became aware of the incredible talents of Bow in "It" and "Wings". But "The Show Off" was the better of the two, solely for the talent and charisma of Louise Brooks in a supporting role.
I thought of Bix Biederbeck, popular at the same time, the Jazz age of the '20s, in watching Louise in this rather trifling comedy. Bix played in some competent bands, but when he began playing his solo, it had the glitter of a diamond that still has the power to excite to this day and elevated the material to greatness. And Louise Brooks, playing the good and sensible girl next door, has that same brilliant quality in every gesture and expression, however subtle. She would of course go on to star in some much heavier films as a vamp or a "fallen woman" and is considered one of the great silent stars because of those roles, but her early performance here is just a joy to behold.
BTW, Clara Bow is also wonderful in "The Plastic Age". It's a shame that more of her films aren't available for viewing, she was a great actress and a groundbreaking star.
I thought of Bix Biederbeck, popular at the same time, the Jazz age of the '20s, in watching Louise in this rather trifling comedy. Bix played in some competent bands, but when he began playing his solo, it had the glitter of a diamond that still has the power to excite to this day and elevated the material to greatness. And Louise Brooks, playing the good and sensible girl next door, has that same brilliant quality in every gesture and expression, however subtle. She would of course go on to star in some much heavier films as a vamp or a "fallen woman" and is considered one of the great silent stars because of those roles, but her early performance here is just a joy to behold.
BTW, Clara Bow is also wonderful in "The Plastic Age". It's a shame that more of her films aren't available for viewing, she was a great actress and a groundbreaking star.
Storyline
Did you know
- TriviaAt one point, to cover up for the source of his new car, Piper (Sterling) lies and says it came from his Uncle named Stich, which was Ford Sterling's real surname.
- GoofsWhen Pop Fisher gives his son a cheque, it bears a date in May, 1926, but later, after many plot events go by, presumably at least a few weeks later, Piper gets another cheque, which is now dated in April, 1926.
- Quotes
Pop Fisher: Keep your damn hands to yourself! I never saw such a pest in my life!
- Alternate versionsKino International distributes a version with a violin and piano music score, compiled and directed by Timothy Brock. The copyright is by Film Preservation Associates in 1998, and the running time is 82 minutes. Judging from the copyright length of the film, this version was run at about 20 frames per second, a comfortable silent speed rate.
- ConnectionsEdited into American Experience: Mary Pickford (2005)
Details
- Runtime1 hour 22 minutes
- Color
- Sound mix
- Aspect ratio
- 1.33 : 1
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