The Show of Shows

Plot

The Show of Shows is a spectacular musical revue film that serves as a grand showcase for Warner Bros.' roster of talent during the transition to sound cinema. Hosted by master of ceremonies Frank Fay, the film presents a lavish variety show featuring over 70 performers including silent film legends making their talkie debuts, established Broadway stars, and popular musical acts. The production weaves together numerous segments including comedy sketches, dramatic readings, elaborate musical numbers, dance routines, and novelty acts. Highlights include John Barrymore's first speaking performance on screen delivering a Shakespearean soliloquy, Myrna Loy in a two-strip Technicolor sequence as an exotic dancer, and Winnie Lightner's memorable performance of 'Singing in the Bathtub.' The film culminates in a massive finale with all performers gathered on stage, creating a spectacular celebration of the new era of talking pictures.

Historical Background

The Show of Shows was produced during one of the most turbulent and transformative periods in cinema history - the transition from silent films to talkies. By 1929, the 'talkie revolution' had completely upended Hollywood, with studios scrambling to convert their facilities and retrain their personnel for sound production. Warner Bros. had been at the forefront of this revolution with their Vitaphone system, having released 'The Jazz Singer' in 1927. This film served as both a celebration of their technological leadership and a showcase of their star power. The Great Depression was beginning to affect the American economy, making entertainment more important than ever as an escape for struggling audiences. The film's lavish spectacle represented Hollywood's determination to provide value and excitement to moviegoers during uncertain economic times. The revue format itself was a reflection of Broadway and vaudeville traditions, bridging the gap between stage entertainment and the new medium of sound cinema.

Making Of

The making of 'The Show of Shows' was a massive undertaking that reflected both the excitement and chaos of Hollywood's transition to sound. Director John G. Adolfi had to coordinate performances from dozens of stars with varying levels of experience in talking pictures. The sound recording process was still primitive, requiring actors to remain relatively stationary near microphones hidden in props or on the set. Many silent film stars discovered their voices didn't match their screen personas, leading to anxiety during filming. The Technicolor sequences presented additional challenges, as the two-strip process required intense lighting and long exposure times. The film was essentially a promotional vehicle for Warner Bros. to demonstrate their Vitaphone sound system and show off their stable of contract players. Production was fast-tracked to beat similar revue films from other studios to theaters, resulting in a compressed shooting schedule that tested the patience of performers and crew alike.

Visual Style

The cinematography of The Show of Shows was notably ambitious for its time, utilizing both the latest sound recording equipment and early Technicolor processes. The black and white sequences were filmed using the Vitaphone sound-on-disc system, which required cameras to be enclosed in soundproof booths to prevent motor noise from being picked up by the microphones. This limitation resulted in relatively static camera work for most of the film. The Technicolor sequences, however, allowed for more fluid camera movement and showcased the vibrant possibilities of color film. Cinematographers Sol Polito and Byron Haskin employed dramatic lighting techniques to enhance the theatrical quality of the performances, particularly in the dramatic segments. The film's visual style was deliberately theatrical and presentational, with performers often addressing the camera directly, reflecting the influence of stage entertainment on early sound cinema.

Innovations

The Show of Shows represented several important technical achievements in early cinema, particularly in the integration of sound and color. The film's use of the Vitaphone sound-on-disc system demonstrated the sophistication of Warner Bros.' audio technology, allowing for relatively clear recording of dialogue, music, and sound effects. The inclusion of two-strip Technicolor sequences was particularly notable, as color film was still experimental and expensive in 1929. The production pioneered techniques for recording musical numbers in early sound cinema, developing methods to balance orchestral accompaniment with vocal performances. The film also showcased advances in microphone placement and sound mixing, allowing for more natural-sounding dialogue than many earlier talkies. The massive scale of the production required innovations in studio logistics, as Warner Bros. had to coordinate the schedules of dozens of stars while managing the technical requirements of sound filming. These technical achievements helped establish standards that would influence sound film production throughout the 1930s.

Music

The soundtrack of The Show of Shows was one of its most innovative features, utilizing the Vitaphone sound-on-disc system to present a rich variety of musical performances and spoken dialogue. The film featured numerous original songs composed specifically for the production, including the memorable 'Singing in the Bathtub' with music by Nacio Herb Brown and lyrics by Arthur Freed. The musical arrangements were orchestrated by Leo F. Forbstein, Warner Bros.' music director, who adapted popular songs and created new pieces to showcase the various performers. The sound recording presented significant technical challenges, as the early microphones had limited range and pick-up patterns. The film's audio mix included dialogue, singing, orchestral accompaniment, and sound effects, all recorded live during filming. The soundtrack also included performances by Warner Bros.' contract orchestra, one of the few studio orchestras of the era that received screen credit.

Memorable Scenes

• John Barrymore's dramatic delivery of Hamlet's 'To be or not to be' soliloquy, marking his first speaking role on screen and demonstrating why he was called 'The Great Profile'
• Winnie Lightner's energetic performance of 'Singing in the Bathtub,' complete with bubbles and rubber ducks, which became one of the film's most remembered sequences
• Myrna Loy's exotic dance in two-strip Technicolor, showcasing early color cinematography and her screen presence before she became a major star
• The grand finale featuring all 70+ performers on stage simultaneously, a spectacular display of Warner Bros.' star power and the culmination of the variety show format

What Critics Said

Contemporary critics were generally impressed by the film's ambition and spectacle, though many noted its uneven quality. The New York Times praised it as 'a magnificent entertainment' while acknowledging that 'not every segment is equally successful.' Variety magazine called it 'a staggering display of star power and technical achievement' but criticized some of the comedy sketches as 'dated and forced.' Modern critics view the film primarily as a historical artifact, with its value lying in its documentation of performers and entertainment styles from the transition period. The film is often cited in film histories as an example of early Hollywood's response to the sound revolution, though it's generally considered less artistically successful than MGM's competing 'The Hollywood Revue of 1929.' Recent restorations have allowed critics to appreciate the film's technical achievements and its importance as a preservation of performances that might otherwise be lost to time.

What Audiences Thought

Audiences in 1929 were enthralled by The Show of Shows, flocking to theaters to see and hear their favorite stars speak for the first time. The film's variety format ensured there was something for everyone, from dramatic performances to comedy sketches to musical numbers. Many viewers were particularly excited to hear John Barrymore's famous voice, which had been the subject of much speculation. The 'Singing in the Bathtub' number became a popular hit, with audiences often requesting encores in theaters. The film's commercial success demonstrated that moviegoers were hungry for sound entertainment and willing to pay premium prices for the experience. However, some audience members were disappointed to discover that their favorite silent stars had voices that didn't match their screen personas, leading to the end of many careers. Despite this, the film's overall reception was positive, helping to establish Warner Bros. as a major player in the new era of sound cinema.

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