Side Show feels familiar, and it should -- it borrows a lot of plot elements from The Barker (which would have its own reincarnation two years later as Hoop-La). Winnie Lightner plays the lead in a story of two sisters loving the same man, with circus life the backdrop. While the film comes off as sordid and tiresome in turns, and Lightner is wasted in a dramatic role, she is an absolute gem when she gets to perform. Boy, can that woman sing! She's cut from Sophie Tucker cloth, and the result is loud and brash and amazing. She's also a terrific comedienne, and it's a shame that there isn't better material for her to work with here.
Charles Butterworth does his schtick throughout the entire movie, and I'm curious how 30s audiences took him because he annoyed the living crap out of me. His non sequiturs were irritating and (at least to me) not funny at all.
Guy Kibbee, as the sideshow owner, spends the entire film inebriated (he could play a great drunk); Evalyn Knapp is earnest and cute as Lightner's little sister; and Donald Cook is appropriately sleazy as the ladies' love interest.
I give this one:
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5 comments:
i know i havent seen it but the title is familar...did they play it on Guy Kibbee day a couple weeks ago on TCM? if so i recorded it but havent watched it yet. i like Charles Butterworth but i know what you mean, a little goes a long way sometimes!
They did -- you've gonna see a lot of Guy Kibbee Day movies on here, LOL. Getting the DVR was the best decision we've made in a while!
Ugh, Charles Butterworth. I wanted to like him, but I just couldn't.
haha thats great! no dvr for me tho, just hard copy dvd's of EVERYTHING! i love Guy Kibbee, i have his autograph, yay :D looking forward to more reviews!
Winnie Lightner was such a treat in those early musicals. Charles Butterworth? Well, maybe in small doses.....
I see that you not really recommend this movie so i'll listen to your advice.
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