It (1927)

User Rating:

7.7/10   

Director:

Clarence G. Badger

Writers:

Elinor Glyn (novel) (adaptation)
Hope Loring (writer) ...

Release Date:

15 February 1927 (USA)

Genre:

Comedy | Romance

Plot:

A salesgirl with plenty of "it" (sex appeal) pursues a handsome playboy.

Plot Keywords:

Department Store | Shopgirl | Unmarried Mother | Restaurant | Flapper

Awards:

1 win

Cast

Clara Bow	...	Betty Lou Spence
Antonio Moreno	...	Cyrus Waltham Jr.
William Austin	...	Monty Montgomery
Priscilla Bonner	...	Molly
Jacqueline Gadsden	...	Adela Van Norman
Julia Swayne Gordon	...	Mrs. Van Norman
Elinor Glyn	...	Herself (as Madame Elinor Glyn)

Runtime:

72 min

Country:

USA

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Sound Mix:

Silent

Company:

Famous Players-Lasky Corporation

Trivia:

Elinor Glyn gave many confusing and sometimes contradictory explanations for what "It" meant, but she always said that "It" did not mean "sex appeal" and anyone who said it did was vulgarizing her concept. Nonetheless, it was as a euphemism for "sex appeal" that "It" entered the language in the 1920s.

Quotes:

Monty Montgomery: I feel so low, old chap, that I could get on stilts and walk under a daschund.

Movie Connections:

Featured in 100 Years at the Movies (1994) (TV)

Clara Has" It " In Spades!

Nothing earth shattering here, no high art, just pure entertainment! A bit like today's light romantic comedies, but a tad better in a lot of instances! The real star here is Clara Bow who could after all really act and wasn't just another pretty face, although she was that and more! It's not difficult to see why she became a popular personality with her vivacity, energy and contagious charm! The girl just exuded fun! As Antonio Moreno said in the movie, "She has plenty in reserve!" There are some cute lines in the movie, like when Monty says, " I feel so low I'd have to walk on stilts under a dachshund." William Austin is an entertaining secondary character.

The print I saw was in good shape and I enjoyed the high angle shots of the department store at the beginning of the movie with the camera panning down to the street, the amusement park scenes and the scenes on the yacht. Makes me want to see Clara in a serious drama too! Worth watching for Clara to see what It was all about! I don't think It has changed that much even in the present day!