Applause

By VARIETY STAFF

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Paramount. Director Rouben Mamoulian; Producer Monta Bell; Writer Garret Fort; Camera George Folsey
 
Helen Morgan
Joan Peers
Fuller Mellish Jr
Jack Cameron
Henry Wadsworth
Dorothy Cumming
 

This is the real old burlesque, in its background, people and atmosphere. So was Beth Brown's book, and Garret Fort has adapted with sufficient fidelity to hold together the odd story that makes an odd picture.

Helen Morgan is Kitty Darling, a fading star of burlesque, aging on the stage as her daughter, born in a dressing room, grows up.

Joan Peers comes to the front toward the finish as the daughter, April. Earlier and in the convent scenes she doesn't convince.

Hitch Nelson as done by Fuller Mellish Jr is the pi, Kitty's husband who tries to make the daughter. A turkey burlesque chiseler with the women stuff on the side, and always bullyragging his woman. A good performance every minute by Mellish. Henry Wadsworth is the juve, opposite Peers.

The picture was made at Paramount's Long Island studio.

(B&W) Available on VHS. Extract of a review from 1929. Running time: 80 MIN.