SHOW PEOPLE

US, 1928, 82 minutes, Black and white.
Marion Davies, William Haines.
Directed by King Vidor.

Show People is one of King Vidor’s silent films at the beginning of the sound era. He had made some classic silent films including The Big Parade and The Crowd. His output during the 1930s was more quiet though he made Stella Dallas. In the 1940s he made North West Passage and the melodramatic Duel in the Sun, Beyond the Forest and The Fountain Head. He also made a number of films during the 1950s including War and Peace. His last major film was Solomon and Sheba.

Show People is what the title indicates. It is said that the plot is based on the career of Gloria Swanson. Marion Davies portrays Peggy Pepper, brought from Georgia to Hollywood by her father to be a star. She meets Billy Boone (William Haines) and plays with him in a number of comedies. However, she wants to go more upmarket, changes her name, achieves some fame – but, when she is ousted, she finds support in Billy.

The film was a star vehicle for Marion Davies who made a number of light comic films. However, she is best known as being the mistress of William Randolph Hearst and as being the subject of Citizen Kane.

1. The work of King Vidor in the silent era? His skills? The silent techniques? His vision of Hollywood in the 1920s?

2. The re-creation of Hollywood, studios and sets, locations? The black and white photography? The editing?

3. The title, expectations?

4. Peggy as a character, her relationship with her father, life in Georgia? The trip to Hollywood, the studios, the interviews, the casting? Her meeting with Billy, the food, the hopes? Peggy as a simple young girl? The influence of her father?

5. Her appearing in the comedies with Billy, comedy in the water, reactions, Billy’s help? The trouper? The sneak preview? John Gilbert’s presence? Art and acting? Her success? Silent comedy?

6. The interviews with the show people, Elinor Glyn, Peggy being interviewed with Marion Davies and the humour? Andre? Art and film? Her changing her name to Peppoire? Going on without Billy? The new style of film-making, dinners? Her saying no to her father and to Billy?

7. Billy and his routines? Dad and the meals? The farce, the sets, Billy talking? Her reactions? Andy and his presence in her life?

8. Peggy’s tantrums, the dinner and Douglas Fairbanks, the producer and getting the sack, not hearing? The wedding? Billy and the confrontation? The water and the pies?

9. The making of a King Vidor film? Billy and Peggy? The end and Vidor leaving?

10. The short history of Hollywood by 1928 – and already building up folklore, a style of Hollywood stories?