Funny Lady Blogathon: Clara Bow "The It Girl".

Clara Bow, was often cast as a waitress, a manicurist, or a salesgirl. Armed with only her humor and her charm, Clara's character would always rise above her lowly place in life and win over her man. It was her performance as a salesgirl in the film "It" that brought the nickname "The It Girl". Bow came to symbolize the Roaring Twenties. She appeared in 46 silent films and 11 talkies, including comedies such as:

One of Clara best movies, Mantrap (1926), where she plays a girl from the big city of Minneapolis who's personality and stunning beauty that are the main assets in this film. if you are a Clara bow fan, this is definitely a film for you.

The film begins with, divorce lawyer Ralph Prescott, who needs a change of scenery and his friend Woodbury, who runs a ladies hosiery business across the hall, suggests that they get away from the city and camp in... Mantrap, Canada.

Bachelor Joe Easter, who runs a small store in Mantrap, travels to a Minneapolis barbershop, where he meets flirtatious manicurist Alverna, who agrees to meet Joe for dinner.

Prescott and Woodbury, get into a fight while camping and Joe takes Prescott back to Mantrap, where Prescott meets the bored Alverna, now married to Joe.

Alverna throws a party and flirts, with Prescott, who decides it is best if he leaves. Alverna, waits for Prescott's canoe to pass, telling him that she wants to go with him.

Alverna insults their Native American guide, who takes the canoe, leaving Prescott and Alverna on their own in the woods. They flag down a passing float plane, which lands in the lake.

Alverna flirts with the pilot, angering Prescott. The pilot leaves them some food. Joe, hot on their heals catches up with them. Prescott tells Joe he'll marry Alverna if Joe grants a divorce. Joe warns Prescott that Alverna will never stop flirting with other men.

Alverna, takes the canoe and leaves them both behind. Prescott returns to his law practice, refreshed by his time in the woods. Joe, goes back to working in his store... Will his wife return to him?

Clara Bow's youthful beauty, energy and unique charm of the "it" girl were never more evident than her signature film. The plot may be simplistic and the dialog dated, but.. this is what draws silent film buffs to silent films. The rest of the cast including Gary Cooper in a brief scene are great. If you're not already a fan of silent films, viewing the lighthearted "IT" maybe a good silent film to start with.

This silent romantic, comedy tells the story of the full of life sales girl Betty Lou Spence, who has set her sights on her employer, Cyrus Waltham, Jr., the manager of and heir to the "world's largest store". As luck would have it they belong to different social classes and he is in love with socialite, Adela Van Norman .

Cyrus's friend Monty notices Betty and she uses him to get closer to Cyrus. When she finally gets Cyrus's attention, she convinces him to take her on a date to Coney Island, where he has a wonderful time riding roller coasters and eating hot dogs.

When, he tries to kiss her good-night Betty Lou slaps his face and rushes out of his car and into her apartment. She watches out her window as he leaves. Betty, claims that she is an unmarried mother to protect her sickly roommate Molly from having her baby taken away by a couple of welfare workers.

Monty, drops in at just the wrong moment, forcing Betty to continue with her lie. He informs Cyrus, who is in love with her and Cyrus offers her an "arrangement". Betty Lou, heartbroken, quits her job and decides to forget Cyrus once and for all.

When she learns from Monty about Cyrus's misunderstanding, she wants to teach him a lesson. When Cyrus hosts a yachting party, Betty Lou asks Monty take her to the party, so she can pretend to be "Miss Van Cortland". Cyrus, at first wants to kick her off the ship, but he cannot long resist Betty Lou's "it" personality proposes marriage to her, but.. she tells him that she'd "rather marry his office boy", which she really does not mean. Will he ever learn the truth about the baby and forgive Betty Lou?

 Video: She's got "IT".

 

Roster of other Blog Sites that are participating:

Movies Silently  Marion Davies

Comet Over Hollywood | Zasu Pitts

The World’s Funniest Dissertation | Mabel Normand

I Started Late and Forgot the Dog | Ginger Rogers

Crítica Retrô | Rosalind Russell in His Girl Friday

The Movie Rat | Louise Fazenda

Girls Do Film | Katharine Hepburn in Bringing Up Baby

The Vintage Cameo | Carmen Miranda

Thrilling Days of Yesteryear | Thelma Todd

Classic Movie Hub | Kathleen Howard

I Humbly Suggest… | Irene Dunne

She Blogged by Night | Margaret Dumont in Duck Soup

Portraits by Jenni | Claudette Colbert in The Palm Beach Story

Spoilers | Jean Arthur in The Public Menace

Frankly My Dear | Lucille Ball

Stardust | Una Merkel

The Kitty Packard Pictorial | Shirley MacLaine

Close Ups and Long Shots | Jean Harlow

Shadows and Satin | Isabel Jewell

Once Upon a Screen | Gracie Allen

Silver Scenes | Joan Davis

Love Those Classic Movies!!! | Billie Burke

The Great Katharine Hepburn | A piece on the funny ladies of 1950′s television

Blame Mame | Jane Russell in Gentlemen Prefer Blondes

Oh, Don’t Be Diriculous! | Doris Day

Motion Picture Gems | TBD

Noir and Chick Flicks | Clara Bow

Film Flare | Barbara Stanwyck

Caftan Woman | Judy Holliday

The Motion Pictures | Mary Tyler Moore

i luv cinema | Mae West

Cindy Bruchman | Maureen O’Hara

Family Friendly Reviews | Mary Pickford in My Best Girl

Destroy All Fanboys | Betty Hutton The Miracle of Morgan’s Creek

Naughty Librarian | Miriam Hopkins

Cinemalacrum | Marilyn Monroe

Sittin’ on a Backyard Fence | Myrna Loy

Movie Classics | Margaret Rutherford in Blithe Spirit

The Priscilla Lane Fan Club | Priscilla Lane

Let’s Go to the Movies | Carole Lombard

Silent Film, "It (1927)".

I just finished watching the silent film, "It(1927)"with Clara Bow. I really enjoyed this very fast paced and cute comedy. Clara gives a very cute performance in a scene where she is making funny faces at her friends baby. I also enjoyed The scenes at coney island and the subtitles with the 1920's slang.

Please click here to view Silents, It(1927) movie review.

"It" (1927) - Clara Bow

"It" (1927) is one of my favorite romantic comedies of the silent era. Directed by Clarence Badger and adapted from the novel by Elinor Glyn which created the catch phrase for sex appeal, the film is actually a Cinderella story where the girl becomes the pursuer instead of being pursued. Clara Bow plays Betty Lou Spence, a beautiful, bold and self-confident sales girl at the Waltham Department Store who swoons over Cyrus Waltham, played by Antonio Moreno, the handsome owner. Cyrus, however, does not even notice Betty Lou. Hoping she can attract Cyrus' attention, Betty Lou accepts a date with his best friend Monty on the condition that they dine at the Ritz where Cyrus is dining that evening. Monty believes that Betty Lou is loaded with "it." Cyrus finally notices Betty Lou's many charms and becomes interested in her. They do go out on a date and have a marvelous time together. In no time at all, Betty Lou and Cyrus are contemplating marriage. However, the romance chills when a newspaper reporter writes a story describing Betty Lou as an unwed mother. Can Betty Lou regain Cyrus' love for her? You will have to watch the film to find out.

"It" is not an important film in the development of cinema in terms of technique or theme. Instead, it is the signature film of Clara Bow, one of the top box office stars of the late silent era; the one that sparked Bow's nickname, "the 'It' Girl." Bow was the first mass-marketed sex symbol and many of her films were vehicles specifically to show her off. Hollywood was determined to use her sexual presence to elevate her. I love the film because it is so enjoyable to watch. Bow had great comedic timing and a magnetic presence that simply lights up the screen. She had beautiful expressive eyes, facial expressions and physical gestures that were so appropriate for silent films. One of the most touching scenes is when Cyrus offers Betty Lou something less noble than the marriage she wants from him. Her eyes registered so much pain that it pulled at my heart. The scenes of Betty Lou and Cyrus' date at Coney Island are so fun to watch. Antonio Moreno, an exceedingly handsome leading man during the silent era, gives a top-notch performance as Betty Lou's love interest. What I love most about the film is that it touches on social issues of the times. Films, like "It," made during the 1920's helped free women from the restrictive Victorian era morals. It became more acceptable for women to pursue men and acknowledge their sex appeal.