SHOW PEOPLE
starring Marion Davis and William Haines
PHOTOPLAY
August, 1928
This is the first time Marion Davies has ever shared honors with anybody, while Bill Haines gave up stardom, temporarily, to co-star with Marion in this picture.
Rarely have we had such a complete picture within a picture. Marion and Bill depict most vividly the methods by which aspirants get into pictures and what they get out of them. Furthermore, you have never before seen as many stars in any one picture. Their combined salaries would bankrupt the U.S. mint. Among these visiting guest stars are Charlie Chaplin, Douglas Fairbanks, Norma Talmadge, John Gilbert, Claire Windsor, Polly Moran, Dorothy Sebastian, Estelle Taylor, Aileen Pringle and Bill Hart.
The story is not new nor startling but Marion and Bill keep you laughing. Don't miss this.
SHOW PEOPLE
starring Marion Davies and William Haines
MOTION PICTURE MAGAZINE
October, 1928
Marion Davies gives her impression of how breaking into the movies is accomplished. But I imagine very few actors would recognize her experiences as the real thing. Marion is a fluffy belle from Georgia who chugs into Hollywood with her daddy - an old Southern Colonel - prepared to sweep the film people off their feet. Only one story has ever been written about Hollywood, and this is it - the girl who lets fame go to her head and is brought to her senses only after learning a terrible lesson. All the lessons in Marion's picture are taught by means of slapstick. Almost everyone gets a custard pie in the face before it is over. A lot of good-natured fun is poked at movies and stars, and a lot of good chances are allowed to slip by. Marion is clever and zestful, but I prefer her when she has to spend less time looking like Mae Murray. She does a lightning transformation from Mae to Gloria Swanson that is miraculous. You had better see this. Dozens of stars wander through the scenes. There are glimpses of the inside workings of the studios. And William Haines is the leading man, so what more could you want?
Video source: Critic's Choice