The film has infectious precode energy, owing to its three main stars. Of course, it's first and foremost a Marion Davies picture with Miss Davies the top-billed performer. She is also listed as producer, though most likely that was a vanity credit since these productions were mostly guided by her partner William Randolph Hearst. He was in essence the real power behind the scenes.
Hearst was known to cut footage that did not feature Davies, or to question the screenwriters when an important moment in the story did not involve her character. He wanted her to appear in every scene, whether that was logical or not, and he always had her back. So yeah, this is a Marion Davies film, no doubt about it.
But it also gives her costars Robert Montgomery and Billie Dove, plenty of chances to shine as well. From what I've read, Davies and Dove had both been dancers for Ziegfeld and in a lot of respects, the film is semi-autobiographical about their early days in New York appearing on Broadway.
All the tropes are present: girls from humble background leave home for a better life and fame, they meet an assortment of colorful theatrical characters; then jealousy and petty rivalries ensue. The neophyte actresses get their big break but both have trouble in love, a tragedy occurs, etc. Yada yada yada, you get the idea.
Mr. Montgomery plays the would-be suitor for both ladies. They envision a life with him, but will it jeopardize their relationship with each other? These two gals are to say the least, frenemies.
Montgomery is not a cad per se, but he's somewhat glib. He knows how to charm the ladies, and more importantly, how to love them and leave them. But while he may be able to leave Dove, he cannot exactly leave Davies. He's too smitten with her.
The supporting cast includes ZaSu Pitts as Davies' sister...she's resigned to a life of domestic 'bliss' in the family's impoverished neighborhood. And we also have James Gleason, barely old enough to pass as the father of Pitts and Davies. However, Gleason does a fine job with his role. Two scenes in particular stand-out: a massive row he causes when he learns Davies is seeing that good-for-nothing Montgomery; then a poignant reconciliation scene later on.
There's an extended cameo with Jimmy Durante where he turns up at a party in Davies' penthouse apartment, after she becomes a star. He has a memorable entrance, then proceeds to do his usual shtick. Davies does a rather hysterical imitation of Greta Garbo alongside Durante's imitation of John Barrymore, whereby they spoof a scene from MGM's other prestige hit of 1932, GRAND HOTEL.
All these antics aside, what I found more entertaining was the constant tussling between Davies and Dove. They seem to love and hate each other.
There's a fantastic scene where they are aboard a rich man's yacht and end up quarreling about Montgomery. They yell and holler, push and shove, then plunge overboard into the cold water below. It certainly seemed as if it was filmed without stunt doubles. The shot of them falling into the water is classic.
I got the feeling that pioneering screenwriter Frances Marion took elements from the lives of Davies and Dove, then incorporated them into the overall scenario. Also that these two actresses may have had a real-life rivalry. On top of all this, we have writer Anita Loos stepping in and adding dialogue based on her own show biz experiences. As a result, we get a story about real women who live larger than life...before they eventually settle down with prince charming.
Hearst was known to cut footage that did not feature Davies, or to question the screenwriters when an important moment in the story did not involve her character. He wanted her to appear in every scene, whether that was logical or not, and he always had her back. So yeah, this is a Marion Davies film, no doubt about it.
But it also gives her costars Robert Montgomery and Billie Dove, plenty of chances to shine as well. From what I've read, Davies and Dove had both been dancers for Ziegfeld and in a lot of respects, the film is semi-autobiographical about their early days in New York appearing on Broadway.
All the tropes are present: girls from humble background leave home for a better life and fame, they meet an assortment of colorful theatrical characters; then jealousy and petty rivalries ensue. The neophyte actresses get their big break but both have trouble in love, a tragedy occurs, etc. Yada yada yada, you get the idea.
Mr. Montgomery plays the would-be suitor for both ladies. They envision a life with him, but will it jeopardize their relationship with each other? These two gals are to say the least, frenemies.
Montgomery is not a cad per se, but he's somewhat glib. He knows how to charm the ladies, and more importantly, how to love them and leave them. But while he may be able to leave Dove, he cannot exactly leave Davies. He's too smitten with her.
The supporting cast includes ZaSu Pitts as Davies' sister...she's resigned to a life of domestic 'bliss' in the family's impoverished neighborhood. And we also have James Gleason, barely old enough to pass as the father of Pitts and Davies. However, Gleason does a fine job with his role. Two scenes in particular stand-out: a massive row he causes when he learns Davies is seeing that good-for-nothing Montgomery; then a poignant reconciliation scene later on.
There's an extended cameo with Jimmy Durante where he turns up at a party in Davies' penthouse apartment, after she becomes a star. He has a memorable entrance, then proceeds to do his usual shtick. Davies does a rather hysterical imitation of Greta Garbo alongside Durante's imitation of John Barrymore, whereby they spoof a scene from MGM's other prestige hit of 1932, GRAND HOTEL.
All these antics aside, what I found more entertaining was the constant tussling between Davies and Dove. They seem to love and hate each other.
There's a fantastic scene where they are aboard a rich man's yacht and end up quarreling about Montgomery. They yell and holler, push and shove, then plunge overboard into the cold water below. It certainly seemed as if it was filmed without stunt doubles. The shot of them falling into the water is classic.
I got the feeling that pioneering screenwriter Frances Marion took elements from the lives of Davies and Dove, then incorporated them into the overall scenario. Also that these two actresses may have had a real-life rivalry. On top of all this, we have writer Anita Loos stepping in and adding dialogue based on her own show biz experiences. As a result, we get a story about real women who live larger than life...before they eventually settle down with prince charming.