The first in a month long series of pieces on pre-code Hollywood running on Sunday, Tuesday and Friday…
by Allan Fish
(USA 1932 88m) not on DVD
The sins of the fathers
p Sam E.Rork d John Francis Dillon w Edwin J.Burke novel Tiffany Theyer ph Lee Garmes m Peter Brunelli, Arthur Lange art Max Parker
Clara Bow (Nasa ‘Dynamite’ Springer), Gilbert Roland (Moonglow), Thelma Todd (Sunny DeLan), Monroe Owsley (Larry Crosby), Estelle Taylor (Ruth Springer), Fred Kohler (Silas Jennings), Margaret Livingston (Molly), Oscar Apfel, Russell Simpson,
Ask any serious film connoisseur to name the sexual icon of twenties cinema and it’s a reasonably safe bet that Louise Brooks would get more votes than any other. Yet she was off-Hollywood, as it were, her potential – Beggars of Life aside – only realised in the German seediness of G.W.Pabst. Hollywood’s own sex symbol was Clara Bow, and her ultimate fate is as depressing as her personality was anything but. Here’s the girl who so personified Elinor Glyn’s definition of ‘It’ that they made Clara the star of a film of the same title, a star not afraid to tantalise her audience, as in the skinny dip sequence in Hula, and very aware of the effect she had on men. As David Thomson observed, “her fevered agitation – the fluttering eyes, the restless fingering of men, and teasing angled glances – does seem to speak for the liberated lascivious energies of the new American girl of the twenties.” Sadly, Clara went a little too far, her excesses and exhibitionism legendary, with rumours of wild parties that became gang bangs – an entire football team, so they say – so that eventually middle class moral America shunned her and she was washed up and washed out by 30.
Yet don’t let anyone tell you that she didn’t cope with talkies, the truth is very different, as her last two films made at Fox illustrate, with Clara shown in an altogether more intriguing light. The last, Hoop-La, is memorable for her skinny dip, insouciant yet casual stripping into her night clothes, her snake-eyed costume and her general ‘go ahead and look’ attitude to her body which would have made Jean Harlow blush. Unbelievably, it was also the influence for Ozu’s A Story of Floating Weeds. The penultimate, though crazier and more uncontrolled, now seems even more fascinating…
Nasa Springer is a wild, crazy daughter of a railroad owner who, unbeknownst to her, is actually half breed through her neglected mother’s affair with an Indian, and also contains the bad blood of her grandfather a generation earlier. Sick of her wildness, her dad sends her to Chicago to correctional school, which patently doesn’t work, and her ‘dynamite’ social antics become the source of many gossip headlines.
We first see Clara feverishly whipping her horse to go faster, before he throws her in fright upon seeing a snake. She’s undaunted and proceeds to whip said snake before a half breed ranch hand comes along. Then when he laughs, she pulls him off his horse and gives him a good whipping, too. And if that wasn’t enough, the whole sequence showcases Clara in a silk blouse which not only shows she wasn’t wearing any bra, but which also showed the temperature on set in a way I trust I needn’t explain. Here was a girl with more than a touch of nymphomania and not afraid to show it, and even though the film slowly finds a spine of morality running through it, it’s in such a way as only the pre-Code days could allow, as she finds herself with a baby, living in the slums and forced onto the streets.
By 1932, though only 26, Clara could do blowsy, she could do slutty in her sleep, and yet the vulnerability behind it is startling. Even in such sensational scenes as her strutting round in the flimsiest negligee or enjoying a fierce catfight with Thelma Todd, she’s raw, real, and captivating. It’s amazing in retrospect that she didn’t take, but then again, the Code was round the corner, and a Clara post-code was unthinkable. Call Her Savage, if ultimately junk, finds her at her best, both in performance, humour, sass and downright salaciousness, and epitomises why David Thomson further added that “it was people like Clara Bow who taught the cameras how lucky they were.” When she asks “why can’t I be like other girls?”, you can only murmur, paraphrasing a famous Cole Porter song, she was “too darn hot!”
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As you well know, I saw this very great film just this afternoon. Ms. Bow is fantastic as a woman who bullies her way into doing and getting whatever she wants until she learns some valuable lessons in a wrenching finale. I am still pondering the film as I saw it just hours ago, but I’d say it pushes close to a five-star rating. Definitely a major highlight of this festival.
Stupendous review.
Great idea for a series and I look forward to it.
There does seem to be a slight disconnect though with Allan’s summation that the movie is “essentially junk” and Sam talking about 5 stars?
Just a couple of nits though:) I venture that if Allan did a search of his tome, the expression “ask any serious film connoisseur” would appear rather too often. It’s use-by date is I think overdue, and honestly it is rather pompous. The ‘serious’ appellation is redundant as well as pretentious. To refer to someone as a ‘half-breed’ I think smacks rather much of the glory days of the Raj, though it is apparent from the synopsis that the screenplay would have it that the girl’s lack of virtue is due to her lack of ‘breeding’. Indeed, this particular pre-coder seems decidedly less than liberal.
Tony: Allan sometimes can send off conflicting vibes, and in this case I’ll admit it’s somewhat frustrating. He’s been quite excited about the festival I’m attending and told me he wishes he were here this month. His excellent idea was inspired by the festival and just a few days ago told me that this film was in his opinion one of the most urgent for me to see. His rating for it is 4.5, which is actually precisely where I would go with it at this point (near-masterpiece). Can’t argue at all with any of your other points, and will admit this is strong brew and decidedly off the liberal path! Ha!
Thanks, Tony, just did a check and the actual term “ask any serious film connoisseur” only appears once in the book – in Call Her Savage. The term “film connoisseur” appears only twice in World on Wires and The Adventurer aside from here. I have changed one to film buff, but I don’t think 2 or 3 uses in over 1600 is too bad. 🙂 I mean, I’ll bet I have used the phrase “noir influenced” a lot more.
Seriously, there may be reworkings of the same phrase a few times, but not many when you consider it. As for half-breed, I was just using the terminology used in the film and films of its ilk, which I think is fair enough.
And for Sam’s benefit, I have used the term “staggering masterpiece” precisely zero times as I can’t afford the royalties now that I’m becoming a student. As he himself remembered the line in a certain pre-code film “he’s going to college. He’s learning how to be poor.”
I immediately understood your use of ‘half-breed’ as terminology from the film, and anyone who has seen the film will immediately understand this.
That and a quick search into Tony’s posts reveals an astronomical number of usages of ‘hubris’, and/or the phrase ‘see the forest for the trees’ (or any version thereof), and in writing poetry Tony can’t wait to scribble ‘labia’ into verse.
I was being cheeky as you gathered, but I was making I believe a constructive criticism. I was clumsy in that I should have added ‘or the like’. As the list below shows there are at least 11 such instance in your WitD posts, and this does not include the many examples of the inverse “ask a/an/any average…” where the writer goes on to state that of course he is not your average:
Call Her Savage – 1932 – Ask any serious film connoisseur to name the sexual icon of twenties…
An Inn in Tokyo – 1935, Yasujiro Ozu – Mention the term neo-realism to most film connoisseurs…
Introduction from my book ‘The Untouchables’ Film connoisseurs will quite happily discuss the merits of Dekalog…
Unfaithfully Yours ***** (no 43) Sturges’ last major film was also his most highbrow, a film that, though enjoyable for all, contained subtleties surrounding the choice of music that only connoisseurs could appreciate.
The Man Who Laughs (no 44) – Despite the tendency towards melodrama and Victorian romantic values, there’s plenty here to fascinate and generally absorb the connoisseur…
World on Wires (no 8) – There’s barely a single film connoisseur alive who will fail to spot the black monolith-shaped object in a slow track back early in the first episode…
Rio Bravo (no 18) – In other words, this is one for the movie connoisseurs, not the intelligentsia…
Magical Maestro (no 48) – It may not be the kids’ cup of tea today, but for connoisseurs it remains an absolutely unmissable treat…
The Red Shoes ***** – Helpmann’s ballet choreography sublime even to non connoisseurs…
Unfaithfully Yours ***** (no 43) – Sturges’ last major film was also his most highbrow, a film that, though enjoyable for all, contained subtleties surrounding the choice of music that only connoisseurs could appreciate.
Limite ***** – It isn’t often a film connoisseur can count himself privileged to have seen a film, but Mario Peixoto’s seminal avant garde silent classic is one such occasion.
An elephant stamp for that young whipper-snapper Jamie. He is so fast! Still, a review does not have to use the same expression in a film’s dialog, particularly when there is an issue as the one I raised.
But Jamie really needs to work on his maths if he is to pass this subject.
If we look at all the posts on filmsnoir.net:
1. “forest for the trees” is used one
2. “wood for the trees” is used once
3. “hubris” is used once
4. “labia” is used twice each in a separate poem – indeed in a thread somewhere at WitD I actually self-deprecate on my ‘obsession’…
As for comments made here, I do believe we are all guilty of using stock phrases. But ‘astronomical’? Remember Jamie, check your Thesaurus first: ‘astronomic’ is a big not a little number.
“2 informal : the sums he has paid are astronomical huge, enormous, very large, prodigious, monumental, colossal, vast, gigantic, massive; substantial, considerable, sizable, hefty; inordinate; informal astronomic, whopping, humongous, ginormous. antonym tiny.”
Sorry, I guess I could have used ‘inordinate’. But what’s the difference? Oh, you want to don the gestapo boots and play grammar/dictionary police. Fun. But I’ll pass, maybe when I retire I can spend my 401K toiling away on internet boards playing mock editor.
But, the gist is pretty much sized up here: “I do believe we are all guilty of using stock phrases”. Which is of course true. Hence why I thought it so absurd you pointed it out in Allan’s pieces (a largely baseless claim anyways but whatever), as it’s something we all do. It’s the age old Tonyism: Do as I say, not as I do.
Maybe you should brush up on English comprehension as well Jamie, as you missed my point entirely 🙂
As for 401K’s, I believe this applies to Americans, so sorry to disappoint you. As for my retirement savings, I suggest you guys in the good ol’ USA, keep shtum, as Wall Street and Washington have pretty well destroyed my retirement savings and those of millions of others around the globe – forget about the additional poverty suffered by billions and the massive additional numbers of child deaths that have resulted. Now those are big numbers. As for gestapo boots, alas yours don’t fit me.
Sometimes I think only Paul Krugman and Larry David are about the only sane Americans left. Enjoy your Tea Party by the way. Woof-woof.
Btw, if I were you I would apply for a sense of humor.
Hence why I said: But I’ll pass, maybe when I retire I can spend my 401K toiling away on internet boards playing mock editor.
If you’re going to be the self appointed forum editor you’re going to have to read more carefully. To be clearer, it was a jest, as it looks like I won’t get a 401K (I haven’t even thought about paying into one but whatever not important to you) so my joke was I hope when I retire, in America, my whole life’s earnings and the time off I’ve earned I can spend like you: being brash and petty to people half may age that I don’t know from any other stranger I meet on a day to day basis.
Kudos.
Good try… When you start arguing the substance of my comments and not attacking me personally I might begin taking you seriously. Your attacks are not about me but you. Allan is the last person on this board who needs a running lap dog.
Hi! Sam Juliano, Allan, Tony, and WitD readers…
Oh! yes, I have watched this film once and believe me…“once” was enough. [Note:I wouldn’t actually, called this film “junk,” but I watched this film “accidentally” while either waiting to watch another film over there on Fox Movie Channel or after I watched a film over there on Fox Movie Channel.
I would say that your review “summed” up this film perfectly.
[Note: Even the part where you “gossip” just a bit…about actress Clara Bow…Ha!]
Thanks, for sharing!
deedee 🙂
Aye Dee Dee, I quite agree. I guess any film that stars Clara Bow will invariably veer into a discussion of her life and career. Heck, I am dragging my feet tonight preparing the diary, because all I want to do is read about Clara Bow after this afternoon’s landmark screening. Her life (particularly her survival as an infant after the death of her siblings, and how she had to bring up her mother rather than the other way around) is fascinating. I do hope that they give this film a legitimate release one day. It richly deserves it, as does her final film that followed it, HOOP-LA.
By the way, Allan, for a film that isn’t available on DVD where did you get your screen-shots? You must have recorded the film from the telly and then grabbed the shots…No?
I got it years ago from a rare film supplier and I could only wish it looked as good as the caps, but they’re from the net.
Nice review of a film that has thankfully sparked a decent deal of interest here. I saw IT again on the big screen a few months back so I was interested in seeing more of Bow’s films that I hadn’t already. When I spoke to Allan this and HOOP-LA were recommended. I haven’t gotten to HOOP-LA yet (but will soon), but I can say this film is fantastic… gloriously irreverent and over the top with its characterizations, but it’s also a great example of High Art as Camp. This is more essential then her extremely well know IT.
Aye Jaimie, I would have to agree with you there that it’s more essential than IT!
“Aye Dee Dee, I quite agree. I guess any film that stars Clara Bow will invariably veer into a discussion of her life and career. Heck, I am dragging my feet tonight preparing the diary, because all I want to do is read about Clara Bow after this afternoon’s landmark screening…”
Hello! Sam Juliano…
Unfortunately, I’m not familiar with actress Clara Bow work on film…I must admit that I’m just familiar with her name…I should have mentioned that fact yesterday. As a matter Of fact, “Call Her Savage” is the first-time that I have ever watched actress Clara Bow on film.
[I plan to seek out information about her life and times too!]
Thank, you and Allan, for the feedback too!
deedee 🙂
Dee Dee, Clara Bow is almost larger than life, and her personal story is fascinating.
Tony said,”As for 401K’s, I believe this applies to Americans, so sorry to disappoint you. As for my retirement savings, I suggest you guys in the good ol’ USA, keep shtum, as Wall Street and Washington have pretty well destroyed my retirement savings and those of millions of others around the globe – forget about the additional poverty suffered by billions and the massive additional numbers of child deaths that have resulted. Now those are big numbers…”
Hi! Tony…I must admit that you have touched on Wall Street and the “men” who act like “boys” in Washington, D.C. attitude on your blog [and over there on Twitter] on many occasions.
I have read and should have really tried to comprehend what you were trying to say about the men who run the asylum, but in reality they “all” should be in the asylum.
If you want to hear the real stories check out only International news my father told me to watch that sometimes if I watch to hear and know the real story behind the real story.
Thanks, for your honesty and insightful-ness…always.
deedee 🙂
Thanks DeeDee.
As always I am grateful to have Tony, Dee Dee and Jamie on board for all sorts of reasons. The Wall Street discussion is fascinating.
Right DeeDee, because the shenanigans of Wall Street are new developments that all of us but Tony aren’t aware of…
“Right DeeDee, because the shenanigans of Wall Street are new developments that all of us but Tony aren’t aware of…”
Huh? 🙄 [An After Thought…Omg! she made me use my first-smiley and the continuation dots…]
I don’t know about that Jamie, but I can tell you right now…my sister don’t talk politics or about films.
However, all I know or wonder about it that thing called the “debt celiing” and what it will mean not only to America, but those who live in Canada? and the world really?!?
@Allan I have watched “Call Her Savage” and thoroughly enjoyed the film…Unlike, a certain “person” who only watched the film once and reached the conclusion not to watch the film again. By the way, I’m glad to make your acquaintance Jamie Uhler.
Artesmia—–
I am thrilled to see you back on the boards! You’ve been away from the boards for far too long my friend!!!
I’ve seen several Clara Bow films but must admit I haven’t got to this one yet – however just thought I’d mention that it is available on Youtube at present and the picture/sound quality seems reasonable, if not great.
Here’s a link to part one:
Tremendous addition here Judy!!!!