Show People (1928) - King Vidor

Following the motto of one for them one for me, King Vidor apparently made a film for Marion Davies. Davies the infamous mistress of William Randolph Hearst never got a great deal of love in the movies. A very well known figure in her day, who was more or less well known because Hearst's papers repeatedly printed her name and picture. After it became obvious she wasn't going to get the part she deserved, she produced her own film and in 1928 you couldn't get a better director to help you out than King Vidor, who had just made The Crowd. Davies is fantastic and a joy to behold. She gets a lot of room to stretch here and who knew Vidor would be so good at handling comedy? The film was one of a series of backstage Hollywood films that showed the good and bad side of things, frequently with a similar plot structure. Part of this film seems like a parody of What Price Hollywood, except for the fact that this was made four years previous. A host of well known stars make appearances in cameo roles, including Vidor himself who takes turns poking fun of himself as well. Damn shame there weren't more parts like this for Davies, she really was a funny lady.