DVD Recommendation: "Chasing Amy: The Criterion Collection"

After reading An Askew View 2: The Films of Kevin Smith, I decided to become reacquainted with a few of the director's older films that I have not seen for a while. Chasing Amy is at the top of the list, since it is my favorite Kevin Smith effort (and one I used to own on VHS tape). The film, which was released in 1997, holds up well and was ahead of its time in dealing with the complications surrounding contemporary relationships and issues of sexuality. As viewers might expect, there is no shortage of vulgarity and sexual innuendo, as well as commentary on popular culture, including Star Wars (a favorite Smith topic) and characters from Archie comic books.

Ben Affleck and Jason Lee star as comic book artists Holden McNeil and Banky Edwards, who also happen to be roommates and long time friends. Banky appears content to be single, but Holden is quite different and soon falls for Alyssa Jones (Joey Lauren Adams), who he meets at a comic book convention. Holden does not realize that Alyssa is a lesbian and learns that fact during a rather embarrassing scene in a gay bar, where Banky appears to enjoy seeing his best friend shot down. Despite the obstacle, Holden continues to spend time with Alyssa and falls in love with her. Perhaps he enjoys being self destructive, or maybe he really believes that she is "the one" and that they can somehow build a life together.

Alyssa and Holden become close, which angers Banky, who believes that Holden will end up with a broken heart and he has no trouble voicing his opinion. It appears Banky is jealous of the connection between Alyssa and Holden and is hostile towards her for the duration. After meeting with Jay (Jason Mewes) and Silent Bob (Kevin Smith), who is not so silent this time around, Holden receives uncomfortable information about Alyssa's past that threatens to derail their relationship, which is already on shaky ground. After an emotional and rather long argument with Alyssa, Holden decides to confront both her and Banky together and propose something unexpected, which is met with surprising reactions from both of them and creates even more interpersonal drama among the trio.

Kevin Smith serves as writer and director and excels at both jobs. He clearly understands popular culture and incorporates several clever and brutally honest observations that are delivered with perfection by the talented cast, especially Jason Lee, who is simply hysterical throughout the film. Indeed, Banky says what is on his mind at all times and that does not go over well with everyone. He simply does not care what anyone thinks or if anyone likes him, expect for Holden, of course. Smith also offers keen insight into romantic relationships and how sex can cause many problems, whether in potential heterosexual or homosexual pairings.

Chasing Amy is also perfectly cast by Smith and features solid performances from the aforementioned principal cast members, as well as a scene stealing supporting turn from Dwight Ewell, as Hooper X, an openly gay comic book writer who, like Banky, always speaks him mind. Frequent Smith contributors Ethan Suplee, Brian O'Halloran, Scott Mosier and Jason Mewes add to the enjoyment of the film, which also boasts a brief appearance by Matt Damon. Like many of Smith's films, there is an abundance of male actors who all seem to understand exactly how his words are to be read onscreen. Whether that is just great direction or a magic that Smith develops with his actors, I do not know, but it works beautifully in many of his projects and Chasing Amy may just be the best of the bunch.

The special features include Ten Deleted Scenes, Outtakes, Trailer, Audio Commentary, Special Insert: The Askewniverse Legend: A Guide to Characters in the New Jersey Trilogy, New Video Introduction to the DVD Edition from Director Kevin Smith and Video Introductions from the Cast and Crew, including a completely spaced out Jason Mewes.

By the way, regarding the Archie characters, I would not doubt that at least one of the main characters is actually gay, but a supporting character, Kevin Keller, was introduced as gay a couple of years ago. I suppose that was the easy way out for the writers of the Archie comic books, which continue to be popular, keeping Archie, Jughead, Reggie, Moose, Dilton, Betty, Veronica, Miss Grundy and even Mr. Weatherbee from exiting the closet any time soon. I wonder what Hooper and Banky would say about Kevin Keller?

Sci-Fi Spotlight: "The Martian War" by Kevin J. Anderson

A gathering of real and imagined extraordinary gentlemen (dare I say league) and one woman populate the re-release of The Martian War (Titan Books) by Kevin J. Anderson. Author H.G. Wells, biologist T.H. Huxley, astronomer Percival Lowell, Dr. Moreau, Hawley Griffin (The Invisible Man) and Wells' fiance Jane all play pivotal roles in the story, which centers around a potential Martian invasion of Earth. Wells, along with his mentor, Huxley, and Jane find themselves in the far reaches of space, after an accident that nearly costs them their lives. They are able to return to Earth at their leisure, but they decide to explore the moon and then Mars, which leads to many disturbing discoveries that places them all in danger yet again. Meanwhile, Dr. Moreau, who approached Wells and Huxley about a potential alien invasion before the accident, recounts a personal story about his encounter with a spaceship and a Martian. Moreau, along with Percival Lowell, struggle to learn as much as they can from their extraterrestrial find in order to prepare for and/or prevent an invasion. 

The author assembles an interesting cast of characters who mesh together well, even though they probably should not. As I was reading, I found it strange that I was partial to the narrative when it focuses on Dr. Moreau's journal than the exploits of Wells, Jane and Huxely in space. Both storylines are interesting and well written, but it was almost like two different authors took turns writing the story. Credit should be given to Anderson, who is clearly trying to channel the real life H.G. Wells and the fictional Dr. Moreau, who are two very different people, and succeeds in relating their unique points of view. 

Of course, it was Wells who wrote The War of the Worlds and The Martian War speculates that Wells may have been writing a true story based on his personal experiences. While some may find that far fetched, the famous 1938 radio broadcast of "The War of the Worlds," which was initiated by screen legend Orson Welles, convinced some listeners that the invasion was actually real. Yes, even in the late nineteenth and the early part of the twentieth century, some people wanted to, or were at least inclined, to believe in extraterrestrials. I am not sure if The Martian War is likely to change anyone's mind about the origins of The War of the Worlds, but science fiction fans will have an enjoyable time judging for themselves. 

Indie Film Spotlight: "Hyde Park on Hudson" Starring Bill Murray and Laura Linney

When Margaret Suckley passed away in 1991, her private journals and diaries revealed an affair with her cousin and then President, Franklin Delano Roosevelt, in 1939. That alleged affair has been adapted by writer Richard Nelson for the film Hyde Park on Hudson. Of course, Hyde Park refers to the home of FDR and serves as the setting for much of the film. While the relationship and romance between Margaret (Laura Linney) and Franklin D. Roosevelt (Bill Murray) is the primary focus of Hyde Park on Hudson, another storyline, featuring a visit from England's King George VI (Samuel West) and his wife, Queen Elizabeth (Olivia Colman), consumes an ample amount of time.

As the film opens, Margaret is summoned to Hyde Park to act as a companion for FDR, even though his wife, Eleanor (Olivia Williams), and an assistant, Marguerite LeHand (Elizabeth Marvel), are also present. Roosevelt takes a liking to the rather innocent and naive Margaret and their relationship turns romantic during a drive out to the country. Margaret seems to believe that she is the only woman in the President's life, besides Eleanor, of course, which leads to a broken heart when she discovers his other affairs (no, that is not a spoiler). Margaret feels even more alienated when King George and Queen Elizabeth arrive and learns that she is not invited to a dinner in their honor.

After the dinner, FDR and King George have a private meeting and discover that they have similar reasons for wanting to spend time together and they both involve the impending war. Meanwhile, Queen Elizabeth takes exception to the wallpaper in the room they are staying in, which negatively depicts British soldiers. She is even suspicious of the Roosevelt's decision to serve hot dogs as the primary menu item for a picnic lunch the following day. The Queen's concerns, bordering on paranoia, add much needed humor and provide a balance to the more dramatic material.

Laura Linney delivers strong work as the somewhat frumpy Margaret, who has limited life experience, which may have been why she was chosen to act as the President's companion. Bill Murray is also quite good, as usual, and is made to look very much like Franklin Roosevelt. His hairstyle and hair color, as well as his complexion, are eerily similar, but I do not think that his vocal stylings were quite right, but I have not heard FDR's voice on film for some time, so I could be mistaken. One scene, featuring FDR and King George, is quite effective and shows how understanding and supportive the President was towards the King's speech impediment (which was the subject of the award winning film The King's Speech). The aforementioned talented supporting cast deliver fine work, too.

I appreciate director Roger Michell's low key approach to the film, as well as the music, which is subdued and appropriate. However, while Hyde Park on Hudson is relatively short, with a run time of just over 90 minutes, the film does not always flow easily, which becomes distracting. In addition, since I am not a student of history, I cannot speak to how historically accurate the film is and I have no idea if the information in Margaret Suckley's diaries and journals has been verified. Whether the film is fact or fiction, or perhaps a mixture of the two, it is an entertaining period piece with much to offer. 

New in Theaters: "Mama" Offers A Few Good Scares

Mama is able to accomplish two things that are rare among contemporary horror films; provide a few genuinely scary moments and put forth a talented cast. Yes, even the child actors are convincing in this sometimes absorbing, but equally confusing film from first time director Andres Muschietti. The titular character is discovered early on, as a distraught father, Jeffrey (Nikolaj Coster-Waldau), murders his wife and business associates and then takes his children, five year old Victoria, and one year old Lily, with him. After crashing as a result of icy road conditions, Jeffrey and the girls walk through the woods until they stumble upon a deserted cabin. Jeffrey intends on killing himself and the children, but a malevolent spirit, Mama, intervenes and kills him instead.

Flash forward five years when Jeffrey's twin brother, Lucas (also portrayed by Waldau), is still searching for his brother and the girls. A search party finally locates the car, the cabin and the girls, who appear to be healthy, but behave more like animals than humans. Jeffrey and his girlfriend, Annabel (Jessica Chastain), place the children under the care of a psychiatrist, Dr. Dreyfuss (Daniel Kash), and plan to seek custody, much to the dismay of the children's wealthy aunt Jean (Jane Moffat). Soon after the girls move in with Lucas and Annabel, strange things begin to occur, as Mama, who apparently took care of the girls while they were at the cabin, has accompanied the youngsters to their new home. As a result, Lucas is quickly attacked and hospitalized, leaving a reluctant Annabel to care for Victoria (Megan Charpentier) and Lily (Isabelle Nélisse). While Victoria appears willing to open up to Annabel and let Mama go, Lily is not, perhaps because Mama is the only mother she has really known.

As Annabel grows closer to the girls, Mama becomes jealous and invades her dreams, which tell her sad and gruesome tale. Mama's aggressive behavior towards Annabel continues to unfold and she eventually reveals herself, much to the horror of the young woman. Meanwhile, Lucas is slowly recovering and is having strange dreams of his own, Dr. Dreyfuss is beginning to unravel Mama's backstory, and Jean suspects that the girls may be suffering physical abuse, which prompts an unexpected and unfortunate visit. All of the aforementioned events serve to set up the final act.

The screenplay, by Neil Cross, Andres Muschietti and Barbara Muschietti, is interesting, suspenseful and features a healthy dose of humor to offset the horror. However, some things do not make sense. First of all, what role do moths play in Mama's existence? The clearly are important because they are shown in abundance when she is around, but there is explanation as to why. In addition, why did Mama not injure Annabel like she did Lucas? That would have allowed her to take the girls back much sooner. Furthermore, how can Mama be in two places at once, such as at the cabin and at the house? Does she have a twin sister? Also, how does she know to be at the cabin when it is located by other characters? Those questions, and a few more, bothered me because the story is interesting and the performances are equally good and I wanted everything to come together in a coherent way. 

Andres Muschietti is on to something good here, but there are many unanswered questions and holes in the story that become distracting. I am all for suspending disbelief during horror movies, but Mama stretched the limits of my patience.  Of course, the ending leaves open the possibility of a sequel, which may help to clear a few things up. In any event, Mama is a solid attempt at a modern day horror film and fans of the genre will want to see this one, although they should be aware of its shortcomings.

DVD Recommendation: "The Pirates! Band of Misfits" (2012)

I watch a lot of movies, but only occasionally discover a film that takes me completely by surprise. The Pirates! Band of Misfits is one of those films. Based on the first installment of Gideon Defoe's The Pirates! book series, the film centers around the Pirate Captain (Hugh Grant) who has fallen on hard times because his plundering efforts have been largely unsuccessful. He even considers changing careers, until his "number two," known as the Pirate with a Scarf (Martin Freeman), encourages him to try one last time with a ship called the Beagle. Alas, there is no treasure to be found, but the Pirate Captain and his crew capture Charles Darwin (the film is set in 1837), which proves to be fortuitous for them all.

Darwin has no money to speak of, but he informs the Pirate Captain that his pet parrot, Polly, is actually a Dodo bird, a species that has been long thought extinct. Darwin wants to enter the bird into the Scientist of the Year competition, which is being held in London, and promises that if he wins, it will mean untold treasure for the Pirate Captain. However, England's Queen Victoria (Imelda Staunton) hates pirates and that is made abundantly clear through sight gags, as well as her venomous outbursts. The Pirate Captain and crew decide to go to London anyway and since they are all experts in creating disguises, they will try to pass themselves off as scientists. That is no easy feat, since the crew members are not intellectually gifted. However, they are willing to do anything to help their leader.

While in London, Darwin's true colors are revealed, as he tries to steal Polly, but the seemingly incompetent Pirate Captain is lucky, if nothing else, and he is able to save his beloved bird. After Polly wins the Scientist of the Year award for the Pirate Captain, the untold treasures do not amount to much, but they do include a visit from Queen Victoria, who arrives promptly after the winner is announced and orders the Pirate Captain to be killed after his duplicity is revealed. However, Darwin intervenes and encourages the Queen, who he is secretly in love with, to pardon the Pirate Captain and she does, on the condition that he find Polly, who is actually hidden in the Pirate Captain's beard! The balance of the film finds the suddenly confident Pirate Captain entering into the Pirate of the Year competition, after sneaking out of England and away from the Queen, with Polly in tow. However, their paths cross again when the ruthless Queen makes him an offer he cannot refuse and then in the finale during an exciting seafaring adventure.

The aforementioned Gideon Defoe wrote the screenplay, which is consistently funny, often absurd and features countless sight gags that more observant viewers will appreciate. The deadpan delivery from the talented voice actors is hilarious, as they try to play the material straight, which is no easy feat. I enjoyed the risque nature of some of the situations. For instance, the Pirate Captain appears to really love Polly and the exact nature of their relationship is left up to viewers to decide. I also enjoyed the way Charles Darwin's theory of evolution is skewered, via his relationship with Bobo the monkey, and the unconventional names of the pirates. For example, Pirate with Gout (Brendan Gleeson) and Albino Pirate (Anton Yelchin). Finally, the camaraderie among the crew members is admirable. They all accept one another, without condition, and will seemingly do anything for their beloved, if challenged, Pirate Captain.

The Pirates! Band of Misfits is a rare film in the sense that it should play equally well to both younger and older viewers. Children will enjoy the animation and overall silliness of the story, while adults will recognize more subtle references, including the more risque ones. I had a smile on my face from start to finish while watching this film and I sincerely hope there will be a sequel. An outstanding effort overall. By the way, watch out for maps that depict sea creatures. They may not be just for show!

The Pirates! Band of Misfits is nominated for Best Animated Feature at the 2013 Academy Awards.



Gus Van Sant and Matt Damon Reunite for "Promised Land"

Matt Damon re-teams with his Good Will Hunting director, Gus Van Sant, for the socially conscious drama Promised Land, which centers around the efforts of an energy company to purchase natural gas drilling rights from residents of a small farming town. Damon portrays Steve Butler, a rising star in his company, Global Crosspower Solutions, who partners with another employee, Sue Thomason (Frances McDormond), to secure the land rights quickly and with limited cost to their employer. Initially, their efforts are well received, but during a town meeting, a science teacher, Frank Yates (Hal Holbrook), expresses skepticism about the dangers of extracting the natural gas through a process known as fracking. Steve is not prepared for Frank's educated opinion and has trouble addressing his concerns, which seems to trouble the other residents. As a result, the locals decide to take a vote after they have had time to educate themselves about fracking. Soon thereafter, an environmental advocate, Dustin Noble (John Krasinski), arrives in town and works to convince the residents not to sell their land to Global because of the possible contamination of the water supply and the dangers posed to the animal population from fracking. Dustin's easy going, friendly demeanor helps endear him to the locals, who believe what he has to say, thus causing roadblocks for Steve and Sue to successfully purchase the land. 

Promised Land was filmed in and around Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania which is a fracking hot spot these days. The fracking debate that is addressed in the film is not a new one and was the focus of a 2010 documentary, Gasland, which was nominated for an Academy Award. While the debate on the pros and cons of fracking continues, the farming industry continues to struggle, which is prompting more and more people to sell their land and reap the rewards. That reality is captured throughout the film, as Steve tries to convince the land owners that farming is a thing of the past and that their only real option is to sell. That may be an oversimplification, but Steve is trying to further his career, after all. Even though he tells the residents that he is not the bad guy, his inability to be completely honest with them suggests otherwise. However, Steve is likable and comes from similar small town roots, so he can relate to the people that he is trying to coax into selling their land. At times, Steve appears conflicted about his job, which becomes even more complicated when he knows that the promises that he is making may not come to pass for the residents, who are essentially being manipulated and not necessarily receiving a fair price for their land and the natural gas resources.

The screenplay, by Matt Damon and John Krasinski, starts off strong but loses momentum during the second half of the film, when I found myself becoming distracted during a few dialogue heavy scenes. When Promised Land stays focused on Steve's internal conflicts, the film works well, but when a needless potential romance develops between him and a local resident, Alice (Rosemarie DeWitt), the film veers off course. The romantic angle is never fully realized because the characters do not spend enough time together. In fact, viewers know next to nothing about Alice, so why should they care about her potential romance with Steve? Furthermore, there are too many characters introduced throughout the film, which is distracting at times and at least two of them, portrayed by the aforementioned and always outstanding McDormand and Holbrook, simply do not have enough to do. On the other hand, Damon and Krasinski play more substantial roles and deliver strong performances. Krasinski is particularly effective in a bar scene during open mic night when Dustin is trying to sway the residents against selling their land. He ends his speech by belting out Bruce Springsteen's "Dancing in the Dark," which solidifies his "everyman" status with the locals. 

My expectations for Promised Land were high because the film features two of my favorite actors, Matt Damon and Frances McDormond. In addition, Gus Van Sant is one of my favorite directors and the aforementioned Good Will Hunting is one of my all-time favorite films. Unfortunately, Promised Land does not live up to its potential. While I appreciated the effort put forth by the considerable talent that has been assembled for this project, I cannot fully recommend this film. However, there is much to like about Promised Land, if you can overlook its shortcomings. For instance, small town life is perfectly captured, the music is well considered, humor is used well to offset the drama, and the main characters are realistically portrayed by exceptional actors. Of course, depending on where viewers fall in the fracking debate is likely to be crucial to their enjoyment of the film, which does an admirable job at looking at both sides of the issue, but ultimately appears to be saying that the potential dangers associated with the process need to be examined more closely. While that is reasonable, I suspect some viewers may not feel the same way. 

New on Blu-ray: "The Jazz Singer" (1927) - Starring Al Jolson

Photo Credits: Warner Bros.

The Jazz Singer, the first feature-length film with completely synchronized dialogue and musical sequences, marked another milestone on January 8 when Warner Home Video released the Blu-ray™ commencing the 2013 year-long 90th Anniversary of Warner Bros. Studios. This is The Jazz Singer's first release on Blu-ray and includes a total of three discs and a 90 page booklet that features production notes, countless photographs and information about the stars of the film, including Al Jolson and Warner Oland.

The film centers around Jakie Rabinowitz (Al Jolson), a Jewish man with a gift for song and dance. Jakie wants to become a jazz singer, but his father, a fifth generation Jewish cantor (Warner Oland), expects his son to follow in his footsteps. Indeed, it is that age old dilemma of whether to be loyal to family history and meet the expectations of your parents, or go off on your own and become the person you want to be and/or are destined to be. Jakie decides to be his own person and eventually becomes a success in show business. After receiving an offer to appear in a Broadway show, Jakie, who now goes by Jack Robin, comes home to New York and hopes to make amends with his father and reunite with his beloved mother (Eugenie Besserer). However, his father's illness causes Jakie to reconsider his priorities and places him in the uncomfortable position of choosing between his career and his family once again. 

The legendary Al Jolson delivers a remarkable performance in this history making effort, which was shepherded by the Warner brothers and marked the eventual end of the silent era and the beginning of talking pictures. While watching the film, I realized how many other movies and television shows have utilized certain dialogue and references over the years, from Looney Tunes shorts to The Golden Girls, which speaks to the enduring influence of The Jazz Singer. On a personal note, I remember Warner Oland from his role as detective Charlie Chan in a series of films that were produced in the 1930s and were rebroadcast some years ago as a weekly series.

The Jazz Singer premiered at the Warner Theater in New York City on October 6, 1927 and soon became a national phenomenon, limited only by the relatively small amount of theaters (200) which were already equipped with Vitaphone’s sound-on-disc technology (a process developed by Western Electric and Warner Bros. wherein a 16” disc was synchronized with standard 35mm projection equipment). The film was a smash everywhere it played, and led to the installation of sound equipment all over the nation. Less than two years later, nearly 8,000 theaters were wired for sound. Fueled by Jolson’s charisma and Vitaphone, The Jazz Singer created the momentum for “talking pictures” that could not be stopped. Silent films would soon become virtually extinct.

The Jazz Singer Blu-ray book is loaded with special features, including the full-length documentary feature, The Dawn of Sound: How Movies Learned to Talk. The 93-minute film covers the 30 plus year struggle to successfully unite sound and image on motion picture screens. The fascinating narrative of failures and triumphs is propelled by insights from notable film historians, including Leonard Maltin, as well as interviews from many talents, including Rose Marie and Andy Rooney, who reveal their personal experiences of this tumultuous period in film history. See below for a complete list of special features.

Own it on Blu-ray 

Special Features:

·         Commentary by film historians Ron Hutchinson (founder of The Vitaphone Project) and Vince Giordano

·         Collection of vintage cartoons and shorts:

o    “Al Jolson in ‘A Plantation Act’“ - 1926 Vitaphone short

o    An Intimate Dinner in Celebration of Warner Bros. Silver Jubilee – 1930 short

o    I Love to Singa - Classic 1936 WB parody cartoon directed by Tex Avery

o    Hollywood Handicap – Classic 1938 M-G-M short with Al Jolson appearance

o    A Day at Santa Anita - Classic Technicolor WB 1939 short with Al Jolson & Ruby Keeler cameo appearance

·         1947 Lux Radio Theater Broadcast starring Al Jolson (audio only)

·          Theatrical Trailer

The Early Sound Era

·         Feature-length historical documentary The Dawn of Sound: How Movies Learned to Talk

·         Two rarely-seen Technicolor excerpts from Gold Diggers of Broadway (1929 WB film, most of which is considered lost)

·         Studio shorts celebrating the early sound era:

·         Finding His Voice (1929 Western Electric animated promotional short, produced by Max Fleischer)

·         The Voice That Thrilled The World - Warner Bros. short about sound

·         Okay for Sound 1946 WB short celebrating the 20^th anniversary of Vitaphone

·         When Talkies Were Young 1955 WB short looking back at the early talkies

·         The Voice from the Screen -- 1926 WB ‘demonstration’ film explores the Vitaphone technology, and looks at the making of a Vitaphone short.

Vitaphone Shorts

In the 1920’s Warner Bros. began producing a series of short films which utilized the Vitaphone process. These films ran the gamut from musical theater legends and vaudeville acts, to dramatic vignettes and classical music performances from the most prestigious artists of the era.

Most of these were shorts considered lost for decades, until a consortium of archivists and historians joined forces with a goal to restore these magnificent time capsules of entertainment history. Up until now, contemporary audiences have only been able to see these shorts via rare retrospective showings in a few large cities, or through the limited release of a restored handful of the earliest subjects, which were part of a 1996 laserdisc set.

·         Over 3 1/2 hours worth of rare, historic Vitaphone comedy and music shorts

·         Elsie Janis in a Vaudeville Act: “Behind the Lines”

·         Bernado Depace: “Wizard of the Mandolin”

·         Van and Schneck: “The Pennant Winning Battery of Songland”

·         Blossom Seeley and Benny Fields

·         Hazel Green and Company

·         The Night Court

·         The Police Quartette

·         Ray Mayer & Edith Evans: “When East Meets West”

·         Adele Rowland: “Stories in Song”

·         Stoll, Flynn and Company: “The Jazzmania Quintet”

·         The Ingenues in “The Band Beautiful”

·         The Foy Family in “Chips off the Old Block”

·         Dick Rich and His Melodious Monarchs

·         Gus Arnheim and His Ambassadors

·         Shaw and Lee: “The Beau Brummels”

·         Larry Ceballos’ Roof Garden Revue

·         Trixie Friganza in “My Bag O’ Tricks”

·         Green’s Twentieth Century Faydetts

·         Sol Violinsky: “The Eccentric Entertainer”

·         Ethel Sinclair and Marge La Marr in “At the Seashore”

·         Paul Tremaine and His Aristocrats

·         Baby Rose Marie: “The Child Wonder”

·         Burns & Allen in “Lambchops “

·         Joe Frisco in “The Happy Hottentots”

You can watch a clip from the film below.