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Clara Bow, Antonio Moreno, William Austin, Jacqueline Gadsden, Julia Swayne Gordon ... see more see more... , Priscilla Bonner , Gary Cooper , Eleanor Lawson , Rose Tapley , Elinor Glyn , Lloyd Corrigan

Contrary to popular belief, Clara Bow was already Paramount's biggest box-office draw when she starred in this delightful rags-to-riches comedy. But It, from the fertile mind of bizarre best-selling a... read more read more...uthor Elinor Glyn, remains perhaps the quintessential Bow picture. Not that the story of a poor shopgirl falling for her rich employer was anything new (by 1927, Bow could play that role in her sleep), but It came complete with one of the best publicity campaigns in Hollywood history. Glyn herself publicly pointed to Bow as the personification of It, "that quality possessed by some which draws all others with its magnetic force." Paramount made sure that Glyn's lofty description of the word sunk in and even convinced the author to explain It in the film to leading man Antonio Moreno (who, according to Glyn, simply oozed It as well). The lightweight comedy behind all this hoopla centered on little Betty Lou Spence, a vivacious salesgirl invited to dinner at the Ritz by foppish wastrel and self-described "old fruit" "Monty" Montgomery (William Austin in one of those roles later personified by Edward Everett Horton). Betty is not paying attention to her dinner companion, however, but is ogling department store heir Cyrus Waltham (Moreno). He notices her too, and takes the salesgirl on a whirlwind tour of Coney Island. But when Betty is mistakenly assumed to be the unmarried mother of an infant (actually her roommate Molly's), stern Cyrus no longer sees her as proper marriage material. Betty, of course, gets her man in the end and Waltham's snooty girlfriend ("other woman" specialist Jacqueline Gadsden) ends up in the drink. Delivering all the vivacious punch expected of a Bow comedy, It takes time out for a couple of rather poignant scenes. With the hindsight that Brooklyn's own Bow was never fully accepted by Hollywood society despite her stardom, it is touching to watch Betty being ostracized at the snobbish Ritz; and Bow is never more affecting than when she realizes that Moreno is offering diamonds and pearls instead of marriage. Priscilla Bonner, as Bow's drab, single-mother roommate, adds a touch of realism to her brief role, enviously observing Betty's frivolity. If It only added to Bow's brilliant success, the film did little for the intelligent Bonner. To the end of her life, Bonner maintained that accepting featured billing in It lost her any chance of true stardom. A very young Gary Cooper, has a bit as a reporter and director Josef Von Sternberg reputedly took over for Clarence Badger during a brief illness. Despite its rather trite Cinderella plot, It magnificently demonstrates why Bow's guileless flapper came to define an entire decade. It is heartbreaking to realize that her decline had already set in, and Bow's very public troubles and eventual career destruction were lurking right around the corner! ~ Hans J. Wollstein, Rovi

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78% liked it

4,347 ratings

Critics

100% liked it

9 critics

Unrated, 1 hr. 12 min.

Directed by: Josef von Sternberg, Clarence G. Badger

Release Date: February 15, 1927

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DVD Release Date: February 20, 2001

Stats: 189 reviews

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Clara Bow and Antonio Moreno Pennywise the dancing clown It ben heller wen he was little like 12 or 13 Richard Thomas
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Flixster Reviews (189)

  • ajv2688
    December 2, 2010
    ajv2688
    This is an interesting romantic drama, which gives you a sense about relationships in the time period, but it is a predictable love story. There are some funny moments, but the movie could have been better.
  • jimi99
    November 3, 2009
    jimi99
    Wow. Clara was more than a controversial sexy actress, she was a phenomenon and a phenomenal actor. This movie is near the top of any so-called feminist work of art.
  • sheruinsyou
    November 9, 2007
    sheruinsyou
    The definitive Clara Bow film. The original "it girl" gives the best and most memorable performance of her career. A true classic of the silent era!
  • shantemarie1983
    March 18, 2007
    shantemarie1983
    I do not care what anyone says but the movie called "It" was the scariest movie I have ever seen or maybe I just hate clowns...
  • paulafrom2son
    February 15, 2007
    paulafrom2son
    "Betty was too poor to quit her job -- and too proud to stay. So she quit!"

    This movie is the cat's pajamas!
  • SDphotoggirl
    November 24, 2006
    SDphotoggirl
    The essential Clara Bow film. If you haven't seen it and are curious about the appeal of Clara Bow...this film will show you exactly why she was such a huge draw to the movies during the silent era.

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Critic Reviews

January 10, 2004
Chicago Reader

A real treat. Full Review

Betsy Sherman
April 28, 2011
Betsy Sherman, Boston Phoenix

This 1927 feature is a routine story of a salesgirl smitten with the department-store heir, yet Bow gives it a champagne fizz. Full Review

Michael W. Phillips, Jr.
March 25, 2007
Michael W. Phillips, Jr., Goatdog's Movies

It's immediately apparent why [Clara Bow] was so beloved. Full Review

John A. Nesbit
September 27, 2006
John A. Nesbit, Old School Reviews

This film alone serves as ample explanation for why Clara Bow will forever remain a Hollywood legend. Full Review

Jake Euker
March 25, 2004
Jake Euker, Filmcritic.com

Bow does have "it." Her presence is magnetic, embodying the franticness of a frantic era. Watching It you're sorry again that the Jazz Age had to come to an end. Full Review

Gabe Leibowitz
March 17, 2004
Gabe Leibowitz, Film and Felt

Clarence Badger's romantic comedy It maintains its charm with witty camerawork and a powerhouse performance by the lovely Clara Bow. Full Review

March 26, 2009
Variety

Click to read the article Full Review

Mordaunt Hall
March 25, 2006
Mordaunt Hall, New York Times

Click to read the article Full Review

Emanuel Levy
June 30, 2005
Emanuel Levy, EmanuelLevy.Com

No review available.

Thomas Delapa
May 6, 2005
Thomas Delapa, Boulder Weekly

No review available.

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