'It' Plus Clara Bow: Discovering the "It" Girl (1927)

It is famous for turning cutie-pie Clara Bow into, as critic David Thomson described her, "the first mass-market sex symbol." Somewhat overshadowed by this phenomenon is the fact that It is also a terrifically entertaining picture, an effortless cruise through the manners and morals of the flapper era. Bow plays a shopgirl who sets her saucer eyes on her boss (Antonio Moreno); it isn't terribly hard to land him, since she possesses dazzle, charm, spunk... in a word, "It." And if we're still not sure what "It" is, there's a moment of high camp hilarity when matronly author Elinor Glyn, who penned the original definition of "It," strides through the movie and delivers herself of its meaning. Actually, Bow's delightful performance does more to define "It" than anything else, and her unabashed sexiness (which didn't play well after sound came in) clearly sets the future course for Marilyn Monroe and Madonna. --Robert Horton Amazon.com

Kino dvd of 'IT'

I read Amazons reviews to see how others rate the movies for quality. I didnt see anything wrong with the Kino transfer & i think the score was catchy. I dont have the money to go out & buy another one from Image just because the picture is a bit sharper & i enjoyed the documentary on the Kino dvd. From a average buyer thats my 2 cents. June 14, 2008

Clara Bow as the Sexual Aggressor Gets Her Man!

It is a cute, fast paced film about a working girl who doesn't hesitate to go after her rich man. He never seems to quite notice her until the end of course. It is well worth enjoying. The documentary that accompanies the film is very good too. Narrated by Courtney Love it really enlightens us to the woman who was "IT!" Clara Bow was a great movie star and a lot of fun! May 15, 2008

best clara bow movie ever

yes, i know it's clara bow's most well known film, but i do honestly think it's her best. many of her other movie characters were written in such a way that sometimes i think "why the heck is she doing that?!" but not with betty lou spence. and clara bow just takes betty lou and makes her so real and likeable.

i know that elinor glyn's definition of "it" included the statement, "IT is self-confidence and indifference as to whether you are pleasing or not..." and that in the movie, betty lou does care whether or not she is pleasing to mr. waltham. however, she still definitely has "it" - she's attractive, she's vivacious, she's well-liked by both men and women, and she has a great personality. clara bow just makes betty lou someone you wish you could be.

the clara bow documentary is very interesting, but doesn't go deep enough into her life story. and why the heck did they pick courtney love to narrate it? i would have preferred someone connected with classic movies or at least an anonymous voice over person.

but all in all, this is a great dvd to own. January 24, 2008

Excellent!

Not only is the film excellent but the attached life story of Clara Bow narriated by Courtney Love is incredible.

Clara Bow is beautiful and complex and compelling. She radiates sexuality and draws you in like a magnet. The story is a bit far-fetched as I doubt a department store magnet would fall for a shop clerk in today's times, but cute nonethless.

Her personal life as a child was horrible but I believe that is where her "edge" came from. She had nothing to lose. Clara has been gone over 40 years but she is so alive in this film that it is hard to imagine her
being gone.

Long live Clara Bow! January 14, 2008

Oh, wow, did Clara Bow ever have "IT" !!!

Clara Bow stars in this absolutely wonderful silent motion picture about a salesgirl in a department store who falls in love with the boss. Clara Bow plays Betty Lou Spence to perfection with her wide eyed beautiful stare and her overall charm and natural appeal. Antonio Moreno plays Cyrus Waltham, Jr., the boss, with his very convincing acting abilities even though in a silent movie he didn't have too many lines!

Betty wants to date Cyrus Waltham, Jr. badly--she even daydreams of asking Santa Claus to give him to her for Christmas! Although the other salesgirls laugh it off, Betty means business. They don't realize that Betty has plenty of "It." "It" generally refers to Betty's self-confidence coupled with her good looks and natural appeal. Betty displays a good ability to plan things out when she accepts a date with Cyrus' buddy Monty--on the condition that they dine at The Ritz because that's where Cyrus is having his own dinner that evening. In addition, the scene in The Ritz dining room gives us a wonderful cameo appearance by "Madame" Elinor Glynn, who tells Cyrus--and the audience--what "It" is. SMILES

Of course, Cyrus finally gets a good look at Betty and almost immediately he begins to lose interest in his current lady friend as he gains interest for Betty. They do go out and have a marvelous time together.

But a complication involving a baby with an absentee father arises. When Betty rushes to the aid of her friend so that the social workers don't take the baby from the apartment Betty shares with her roommate, the newspaper sends a reporter and races to print that Betty is the mother.

Well, IS Betty is the mother? Cyrus can't stand even the mere thought of this and cuts off Betty without even giving her a chance to explain. How can Betty work things out so that Cyrus regains his interest and love for her? Can Betty beat out Cyrus' current girlfriend to win Cyrus' heart? No spoilers here, folks; you'll have to watch the movie to find out!

I agree with the reviewer who writes that the quality of the film print is exceptionally good for its age. The clarity of each image is excellent. The sound of the musical accompaniment is good, too, even if the score was not the original.

The DVD has few extras besides the documentary with director Clarence Badger on the making of It. Unfortunately, I must take off a star because it did not work in my computer DVD-ROM drive! (Thank goodness this was a rental.)

Overall, fans of classic silent movies should watch this film. The DVD extra probably just malfunctioned on my rental DVD and I encourage you to buy this DVD anyway if this type of film appeals to you.

Clara Bow paved the way for other glamorous female screen legends including Lana Turner and Marilyn Monroe. The movie score remains quite strong even if it isn't the original score and the picture quality shines. And, by the way, Clara Bow as Betty Lou Spence shines, too! She had IT!
April 19, 2007

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