Post by petrolino on Jan 20, 2018 0:30:31 GMT
'The Great Gabbo' is an early talkie based on the story 'The Rival Dummy' by Ben Hecht. Gifted ventriloquist "The Great Gabbo" (Erich Von Stroheim) finds his sanity being questioned when he reacts angrily to his dummy Otto having become more popular than him. Their relationship is complicated further by dancer Mary (Betty Compson), the ventriloquist's former stage assistant.
'The Great Gabbo' is a fascinating soundie helmed by the great American director James Cruze that's studded with short, exuberant musical numbers. There's a chorus line and several stage acts in addition to Erich Von Stroheim's remarkable double-act with Otto who loves to sing for his lollipop. I enjoyed every act on display but the spider ballet is an absolute knockout.
The abrasive text treads a fine line between understandable delusion and teetering madness, refusing to hide its underlying contempt for the seedy underbelly of an entertainment world in which 'Variety' is the holy bible. Creepy, trippy and highly suggestive, 'The Great Gabbo' creates a designed screen for artistic perversion that turns into a sado-masochistic surprise.
"James Cruze’s early life sounds like excellent preparation for his most famous film as director, The Covered Wagon (1923). Born on an Indian reservation near Vernal, Utah, he was part Ute Indian, and raised in the Mormon faith. (While his stage name sounds Spanish, he was mostly of Danish extraction. The “Vera Cruz” part of his given name was in honor the Siege of Veracruz, an action in the Mexcican-American War). Cruze ran away from home as a teenager because he disliked farm work. He is said to have performed in medicine shows, and later worked as a fisherman to earn his tuition for drama school."
- Trav S.D., 'James Cruze : Of Wagons And Waterfronts'
- Trav S.D., 'James Cruze : Of Wagons And Waterfronts'
Erich Von Stroheim & Fay Wray
'The Great Gabbo' is a fascinating soundie helmed by the great American director James Cruze that's studded with short, exuberant musical numbers. There's a chorus line and several stage acts in addition to Erich Von Stroheim's remarkable double-act with Otto who loves to sing for his lollipop. I enjoyed every act on display but the spider ballet is an absolute knockout.
"The Great Gabbo is one terrific early talkie. Sure, the film is old and creaky, while its technical aspects are cheap and primitive. But the story, the music, and the performances always keep me hooked. Directed by James Cruze, a top name in the silent era, from a story by Ben Hecht (continuity and dialogue by Hugh Herbert), The Great Gabbo follows an arrogant ventriloquist, that's the Gabbo of the title (Erich von Stroheim), who abuses his girlfriend-cum-assistant (Cruze's then wife, Betty Compson) one too many times."
- Danny Fortune, Alternative Film Guide
- Danny Fortune, Alternative Film Guide
Erich Von Stroheim & Betty Compson in 'The Great Gabbo'
'Chameleon' - Herbie Hancock & Tal Wilkenfeld
The abrasive text treads a fine line between understandable delusion and teetering madness, refusing to hide its underlying contempt for the seedy underbelly of an entertainment world in which 'Variety' is the holy bible. Creepy, trippy and highly suggestive, 'The Great Gabbo' creates a designed screen for artistic perversion that turns into a sado-masochistic surprise.
