A great tribute to the silent era

Rating: 10/10 (19 August 2012)

I gave it a 9 cause Even though the films costumes and props look accurate, Many of them weren't.The record player in one scene was an electronic fifties type. by 1931 and 32 women styles change.Women weren't wearing bonnets by 32hair was a little longer that the bob cut,And dresses were longer. Peppy's out fits remained roaring twenties even in 1932.But you can forgive that.It's the spirit of the era that counts.I think Michel Hazanavicius might of watch a lot of Turner classic movies , maybe.But it's like looking at a actual silent film in that period.Up to almost the end it remains silent.But the fact that not all theaters were equipped with sound in theaters by 29.Two versions of a movie had to be filmed as a result.It was not until 33 that all theaters had sound equipment in the united states .By 35 movie tone and photo phone. Hansome Jean Du Jardin plays a Douglas Fairbanks type actor George Valentin, aka Rudolph, who appears in action silents.He had just went to his premiere Russian romance, or was it Russian love?.Oh by the way the screens were a little smaller.He accidentally is bumped by Peppy Miller , movie fan in the crowds, played by the attractive Berenice Benjo.She feels embarrassed and he decides to kiss her for a new paper photo.She makes an attempts to get into movies as an extra ,at Kinograph studios. Ironically the police lets her in without asking if she has an appointment.They would not let you in the gate unless you did.Going to the extra side was out side the studio ,front. Before you know it, she hired as a dancer in a film with guess who? Valentin.His new movie is German love or German romance.My memory isn't too clear.Well, she starts to succeed .Then talkies come in ,silent.the head of Kinograph, Al Zimmer, played by John Goodman,Fires him.He tells George that no one wants to see him in a talkie.She makes it big in talkies.His career goes down.His wife ,played by Penelope Ann Miller ,Doris leave him.He ends up in a small apartment after he sell all his stuff.His chauffeur , played by James Cromwell, the son of actress Kay Johnson, refuse to quit when Valentin states he can keep the car when he looking for another job.George tries to kill himself by dumping all his films around the floor and set it on fire.what a fantasy,nitrate would of explode to pieces and he would been dead.Based on fact Greta Garbo helping john Gilbert get back in films.Peppy tries to get him back into films in the talkies by making him a new singing dancing actor. The black and white photography was excellent.The sets portraying the theater ,one looks like the El Capitan theater,were great.I got this on rent from red box.But it's available on stores for rent and retail too.08/19/12 .08/20/12.Now I remember the two silent films George was made ,first ."Russian affair, then," German affair