best movie i've ever seen.

it is finally so absorbing because it plays like a lyrical road odyssey that’s also a detective story.

A great movie, one of the best of this year. There was a bit of confusion at one point in the plot, but nothing serious.

It’s not bad or unwatchable but despite the amplitude of the spectacle, the end result is underwhelming.

A really big show from Warner Bros. "The Show of Shows" was the studio's version of rival MGM's highly successful musical variety series (which are, presently, restored by Warner Bros.). Unfortunately, only the "Oriental" number introduced by Rin Tin Tin is currently availably in color; originally, only a small part of this film was presented in black and white. Audiences likely enjoyed the extravagant opportunity to see some of their favorite stars in an "All-talking, all-singing!" motion picture...Contributing also as a writer, host Frank Fay does a good job. The studio's biggest star at the time was Richard Barthelmess (rising from #8 in 1928 to #7 in 1929 according to the annual Quigley Poll of Box Office stars); he does not sing or dance, preferring to briefly appear as a dignified presenter. The legendary Al Jolson does not appear at all, but Sid Silvers imitates him well. John Barrymore contributes a fine excerpt as "Richard III" from "Henry VI" - rare celluloid from the Shakespearian maestro...Another highlight is the biggest hit song from the show, "Lady Luck" performed memorably by band-leader Ted Lewis (who took it to #3 on the record charts) and singer-guitarist Nick Lucas (who helped keep Lewis from rising higher by locking down #1 for ten weeks with his "Tip Toe Through the Tulips"). Of the many cover versions, "Singin' in the Bathtub" (a good-natured poke at MGM's "Singin' in the Rain") rose to #10 in a version by Guy and Carmen Lombardo; here, Winnie Lightner contributes a vibrant version.***** The Show of Shows (11/21/29) John G. Adolfi ~ Frank Fay, Nick Lucas, Winnie Lightner, John Barrymore

Show of Shows, The (1929) ** (out of 4) Frank Fay plays "host" to Warner's version of the all-star revue, which every major studio was doing when sound came into play and they wanted to show off the "talent" that they owned. As with the other studio revue films, this one here is deadly dull, boring and poorly made but it's still historically important and interesting considering all the talent gathered in one film. Such famous faces you'll see include: John Barrymore, Loretta Young, Richard Barthelmess, Noah Beery, Douglas Fairbanks, Jr., Dolores Costello, Myrna Loy, Lloyd Hamilton, Chester Morris, Nick Lucas, Ann Sothern, Alice White and Rin Tin Tin among others. THE SHOW OF SHOWS isn't a good movie and there's no way around that but when you look at the number of stars you still will want to sit through the extremely long 128-minute running time. There's really no logic to how or why the acts do what they do as one second you might be in the middle of a dance sequence then you'll jump to a comedy bit and then it will be a singing session and then it just keeps jumping around. It's clear these things were just shot over a period of time and then thrown together for release but from what I've read a few other known stars had their scenes deleted so apparently this ran even longer. The majority of the songs are quite forgettable but there were a couple dance sequences, which managed to be very good. One happens towards the start and the women are pretty much in a square but then break off into other shapes. Another happens towards the middle of the picture as a group of dancers are wearing dresses that are black on one side and white on the other. The acts that just show off the famous faces are usually poorly written and it appears that most of the actors really aren't giving it their all but I'm guessing they could have been more worried making sure their voices were OK. The bit with Chester Morris, one of my favorites, is pretty forgettable as an example. Some of the highlights include a terrific John Barrymore doing a scene from Richard III and there's a 2-strip Technicolor sequence where Rin Tin Tin introduces (!?!) Loy in a Chinese skit. Film buffs will want to sit through this thing just to see the various stars but those new to the old days of Hollywood might want to watch some of the classics first before going back to these revue flicks.

This is a deliriously colossal vulgar silly all star extravaganza revue of all the early talkie stars that Warner Bros could afford. ...and like most other rarely seen films actually made during the late 20s, an unforgettable opportunity to see and hear the genuine roaring twenties' exuberance and youthfulness put to song and dance. THE SHOW OF SHOWS is pretty gigantic. Vaudeville act after soliloquy after tap dance after acrobat after comedian after fan-dance after ukulele lunacy after Rin Tin Tin who introduces 'an oriental number'...(!)... and on and on it lumbers, grinning and squeaking away in fabulous gramophone quality Vitaphone sound. It is far too long, but among it's delirious delights are the awesome "Singin in the Bathtub" number created on a scale of which The QE2 architects would be proud...Beatrice Lillie lounging by a grand piano with some happiness boys amusingly warbling a witty ditty, Nick Lucas, and the never-ending grand finale in two color color...which is all set to the song LADY LUCK. . So keen are the tubby chorus line and leaping teenagers to en-ter-tain us that they almost kick themselves repeatedly in their own faces with glee and effort. Row after row of "Doll" characters hop past and some even emerge from the floor. I kid you not, there are even girls strapped to the crystal chandeliers, mummified with shiny gauze and chained up with pearl ropes, unable to move (for days, I imagine, during production) whilst this katzenjammer of toy-box athleticism twitch and spasm below to the Ukulele orchestra. Of course I loved it and had to watch this color finale over and over and then invite friends and family to the screen for weeks on end just to horrify and terrify them each separately and to roll about on the lounge in shrieking in delight at each and every exclamation of their startled reactions. And so should you...and rejoice that there was an era when this was created simply to entertain and thrill. It is all so demented.

One of a handful of "revue" films from the early sound era, this film mixes musical numbers and comedy routines, a la vaudeville. Some items don't really work, in particular Frank Fay's role as emcee, and the finale, which is rather loosely structured. On the other hand, Winnie Lightner does two terrific turns, especially with "Singin' in the Bathtub," which is put over with punch. Some versions have the "Li-Po-Li" segment in 2-strip Technicolor, which gives the routine unusual sheen and polish, playing off the strengths of the system, especially in the use of turquoises and reds.Generally superior, I think, to MGM's "Hollywood Revue of 1929," and worth watching if you can