User reviews

I decided I'd watch a little bit of this film on the computer. Knowing me I usually get distracted and stop watching but this film was so very different. My first silent film, and already a favourite. I could literally not stop watching Clara Bow, she was absolutely fascinating. I'd read David Stenn's wonderful biography on her so it was great to see her finally acting. When she's on screen you block out everything else and her acting ability wonderful - she can cry at the drop of a hat! So, instead of getting distracted I watched this movie the whole way through and enjoyed every moment of it... but my favourite parts were definitely with Clara. In fact, you could say I wasn't really interested in anyone else! This movie is HER movie. It's fun, flirty and just a great movie. I recommend it for anyone who loves silent movies, Clara Bow, or flirtatious movies pushing the limit. Age wise, I think I can recommend it for about 15 onwards - I'm 14 and I really enjoyed it - but not all teenagers will appreciate the film. Which is a pity, because it's wonderful!

I'm completely smitten with Clara Bow. After having seen Wings, and having just watched It and the TCM documentary Clara Bow: Discovering the It Girl, I have to say that she's just about the most amazing actress of the silent era. Even besides her limitless beauty, it seems like she can accomplish anything with her face. It's far too bad that she was never given a role that fully suited her immense talent. Wings is the closest she ever came to making a great film, it would seem, but, even though she steals the movie away from the other actors, the dogfights and action sequences steal the movie from her. So then It has to stand as her testament, the film that best demonstrates her legacy. And because of this, it's not surprising that Bow is all but forgotten. I mean, It certainly isn't a bad movie. It's a moderately well done romantic comedy where the shopgirl goes after her rich boss. It's fun and entertaining, but not necessarily something you'll remember for that long afterwords. Much like any romantic comedy that would be released today, among which the best is only an average movie. But then those looking to observe Clara Bow's talent don't exactly need another movie. Bow effortlessly raises the level of the project. It would have been rather average without her, but she makes it good. Quite good, in fact. I couldn't take my eyes off her, and I know that I'll visit the film again because of her. The other actors are mostly forgettable, except for William Austin. He plays the boss's best friend, and he's pretty obviously a homosexual. It's one of the more open depictions I've seen. He's quite funny, as well, and it's no mean feat that he wins any attention whatsoever away from Ms. Bow. 8/10.

this is a very fast paced and cute comedy starring the beautiful clara bow. the plot is fairly routine for it's era, but clara gives this film a real boost. she's especially appealing in a scene where she is making funny faces at her friends baby. the scenes at coney island are also fun to watch. and check out the subtitles with the 1920's slang. pretty funny stuff.

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!

I first saw "It" last year at a mini-festival at the Kemper Museum in Kansas City. The audience was about equally middle-aged (50's, 60's; I'm 63) and young (many 20's and early 30's). Everybody roared with laughter and delight throughout the film.

This is not only a sweet, wacky comedy (with a strong ending--how I wish current filmmakers could learn that lesson!), but also a demonstration, as others have pointed out, of one of the most magnetic personalities ever to face a camera lens. Clara Bow's presence is simply heart-stopping and her basic goodness, at least in this role, is such that it makes me feel maybe there's a little hope for humankind after all.

I watched it again, with a friend, at home this evening and marveled anew at the extraordinary vitality of this wonderful young woman. The extremely silly story doesn't matter in the least. The lesson of the film, as much as there is one, is "where there's a will, there's a way," and to follow the exploits of our heroine's will is pure balm for any weary soul.

When it comes to IT, Clara Bow was in a league of her own. No other actress I've ever seen has even been close(maybe Jean Harlow). But most actresses since Clara didn't have silent films, which allowed her beautiful expressive eyes, facial expressions, and physical gestures (such as looking between the legs of stuffed toy dog) to do her talking and leave no doubt as to her intent. Her ability to do this made her special. I must admit that even though I loved this film, IT isn't my favorite performance by Clara. I happen to think she displayed as much and possibly more "IT" in some of her other silent movies like MANTRAP, HULA, & THE PLASTIC AGE than in IT. If you don't believe that's possible, then I highly recommend checking out some of her other films and judge for yourself. Even if you disagree, you will enjoy these performances if you enjoyed this film. As a whole, I think IT was the strongest of her silent films (in terms of plot, writing, and character development) that I've seen. Regardless, IT is the film for which Clara is most remembered and the favorite of her modern day fans. From Clara's scheming to reel in her boss as a husband to the hilarious sub-titles ("Sweet Santa, give me him", "Hot socks, the new boss", "I'll take the snap out of your garters", "He couldn't give birth to a suspicion", "On the contrary, I think she's got plenty in reserve"), I enjoyed this 1920s romantic comedy tremendously. Could Elinor Glyn, have been trying to promote her book or herself? IT was only defined 3 times during the movie (in the opening credits, in the first scene where Monty is reading about IT, and when Antonio Moreno asks Elinor Glyn herself in a scene about halfway through the film. I think if modern audiences would give IT a chance, they would be pleasantly surprised with Clara Bow. 9/10

Cyrus (Antonio Moreno) is the heir to a large, successful department store. He falls for counter girl Betty (Clara Bow), a young woman who definitely has "IT", that indefinable quality that makes certain people the center of attention. Cyrus' goofball friend Monty (William Austin) tries to facilitate the "opposite sides of the track" romance between his buddy and Betty, with more than a few hiccups along the way. Also featuring Priscilla Bonner, Jacqueline Gadsdon, Julia Swayne Gordon, and Gary Cooper.

This was based on a story by Elinor Glyn, and if you don't know the name, you sure will by the end of the movie. Her name is featured prominently in the opening credits, then in a title card explaining what "IT" is, then in a copy of the story being read by a character in the movie, and then when Glyn shows up for a cameo, playing herself! Anyway, most people have heard of this movie and the "It Girl" moniker that it gave Clara Bow for the rest of her life..

It's a decent romantic comedy of the period, with many little period details that make modern viewing interesting. The changes in fashions, manner and speech are amusing. I don't think I'd ever seen the exclamation "Hot Socks!" before. Bow is cute, and pushes the boundary for what a woman could do, say and look like on screen (near the end of the film as she climbs soaking wet out of the water with her clothing clinging to her, leaving little to the imagination, comes to mind). In that way It prefigures the coming Pre-Code early sound era.

With my attempt to look at this movie from a person in the 1920's I say this is a pretty good film. I was able to get a feel of life in New York in the 1920's and how things were. Clara Bow did a great job acting and allowing connecting with the audience i.e me. I was able to get a feel of her personality and values by the end of the movie. I must say to though that she did have IT. The acting by the rest of the cast was equally as good and kept me into the movie for the most part. Unfortunately though it is a silent film and not only is it a silent film but also a which I would call drama film. My knock on the movie is that unlike comedic silent films which keep you laughing I found myself dosing off here and there as to the fact that no words made some scenes boring and the piano melody in the background was rather soothing. Overall to those who are fans of silent films I say you would enjoy it, but to those who aren't as open or are watching a silent film for the first time I say find one more entertaining with more humor in it. Overall the movie didn't quite have IT.

How sad that so few viewers will be able to experience seeing a silent film accompanied by a masterful artist playing a theatre pipe organ (e.g., Wurlitzer, Kimball, Moller, Barton, Compton, etc.). I recently saw Chris Elliott accompany this delightful movie on the fabulous Dickinson Kimball theatre pipe organ as one of the regular concerts held by the Dickinson Theatre Organ Society (Wilmington, DE). You forget that you are listening to a live accompaniment - the music becomes part of the film as if included in a soundtrack. But it's so much more than a soundtrack played back by a sound system. The organ tells the story just as much as do the facial expressions in these silent movies of the 1920s. The audience's laughter at the looks, antics, and words on the screen create an enjoyment unique to these silent flicks. At the conclusion of the movie, when Clara Bow gets her man, the mighty Kimball roared to a thrilling, full-organ climax at probably near 100 decibels.

An oddly beguiling silent romantic comedy.

It can't be argued to be a great film, with a thin, and (even for it's time) corny story of a salesgirl trying to win the heart of the handsome rich owner of the store.

But the acting is subtle and real for a silent, and if Clara Bow really isn't all that sexy, given that the film proclaims her the 'it' girl, she is charming and likable.

It's one of those films that just made me smile, with it's good humor, high energy, and surprisingly modern camera-work, even though I'd hate to be in an argument defending it's merits as art.

Two years after "It" came out the silent picture would be a thing of the past. Still, the most striking thing about this movie, after the always beautiful Clara Bow, is how modern it looks. On the Kino DVD the picture is sharp and clear, with excellent contrast. It looks as good as black and white can.

The story itself is fluff. The It of the title, which translates roughly as sex appeal, is irrelevant to the plot. Salesgirl Betty Lou Spence (Bow) falls in love with owner of big department store Cyrus Waltham, Jr. (Antonio Moreno). She chases him, he chases her, misunderstanding separates them. Even though the plot is light, it fulfills its modest goals well, largely due to Bow's energy. William Austin, as Moreno's friend Monty, is also a high point. In one key scene he also shows himself to be a far more caring and sensitive person than Cyrus, and probably a better choice for Betty's affections. Sadly, that's not how this kind of movie works.

The camera work is pretty sophisticated for the time. The scenes of Betty and Cyrus's date at the beach, with quick cuts as the two laugh, play and fall in love, are now a cliche, although one that's still used. The use of panning, different angles during scenes and plenty of close-ups keep the movie moving, without the long shots before a stationary camera that characterized many indoor scenes during the silent era. Were it not for the lack of sound and the title cards, one could easily think this movie was made as late as the start of WWII.

"It" is not an important movie in the development of cinema, either in terms of technique or theme. Instead, it's an entertaining romantic comedy, largely due to Bow's electrifying screen presence and Austin's satisfying performance. Clara Bow was a huge star, who defined the female sex symbol during the 20s. Even today it's hard to imagine anyone watching her and being able to deny that she does indeed have It.

I included this in my ongoing Josef von Sternberg retrospective because he served as Assistant Director on it (biding his time after a number of projects he was attached to were passed on to other film-makers); actually, the IMDb allots him uncredited co-director status here and, for the record, this and Sternberg's official release from 1927, UNDERWORLD, ranked as Paramount's top-grossing films for that year! This romantic comedy is famous for its title – the inspiration for which came from a book by "Madame" Elinor Glyn, who was also persuaded to appear before the cameras as herself in order to explain it {sic}! Lead actress Clara Bow, then, would forever be associated with this role and, in fact, would be dubbed "The 'It' Girl"!

The plot is slight and, by now, overly familiar: a female department store clerk secretly loves her upper-class boss (bland Antonio Moreno), who not only completely ignores her but is obviously engaged to marry a snobbish woman from his own strata of society. When a buffoonish friend of his takes her out, she contrives to select the same night-spot frequented by the man of her dreams and, of course, now he takes notice and positively becomes intrigued (neglecting his own fiancée into the bargain)!

When the boss gets fresh, however, she spurns him – and complications mount after the girl stands up for her sickly room-mate, when social workers arrive to take away her baby, by saying that the child is hers! This scene features a nice pre-stardom bit by Gary Cooper as a scoop-seeking reporter (he and Bow would also appear together in the Oscar-winning WINGS later in the year)! Her boyfriend tells Moreno about the kid, and he determines to drop the girl definitively and concentrate on his marriage instead.

To this end, he goes on a cruise but, when he invites his pal, the latter brings Bow along…and the stage is set for a re-union and the dissolution of Moreno's high-society wedding plans. This occurs by having the buffoon take control of the boat, only to have it collide with a smaller vessel and the two women both fall overboard – when Moreno goes to save Bow (initially resisting him but gradually relenting), the other lady realizes the truth…but all is not lost for the jilted lovers as they seem to find comfort in one another!

In the end, the film is mildly enjoyable but hardly inspired – much less a classic; suffice to say that the lesser-known HANDS UP! (1926), a semi-Western effort I watched over Christmas by the same director and featuring forgotten comic Raymond Griffith, is superior (thus worthier of attention)...

The youthful beauty, energy and unique charm of the "it" girl were never more evident than in this, her signature film. The plot may be simplistic and the dialog dated, but those are, after all, endearing qualities for most silent film buffs. The rest of the cast [including Gary Cooper in a brief scene] are serviceable and amusing, but everyone else is merely window dressing for Miss Bow's star turn.

If you're not already a fan of silent films, viewing the lighthearted "IT" may introduce you to a new form of enjoyment. For ardent fans of Clara Bow, "IT" is a classic

IT (1927) is mostly remembered today as the definitive showcase for actress Clara Bow, an icon of the 1920s whose popularity has grown in recent years. The movie centers around Bow in the role of Betty Lou, a department store worker who sets her sights on her handsome boss, Cyrus Waltham (Antonio Moreno). Meanwhile, Betty Lou's roommate Molly, an unwed mother, has to contend with social workers that want to take the baby away. Betty Lou steps in to help, but this results in complications…Following is my review.

SCRIPT: IT is basically a breezy romantic comedy with a fairly basic plot, but it gives a good showcase for Clara Bow's talents. There are some sticking points with me though: 1) The excess of time given to defining what IT is, and Elinor Glyn's shameless self-promotion during a scene in a restaurant, and 2) the fact that Betty Lou uses poor Monty (William Austin), Waltham's friend, just to get to Cyrus, and then proceeds to steal him from his (admittedly not too bright) girlfriend (Jacqueline Gadsden). Betty comes off as rather manipulative and pushy in some scenes. Still, the movie entertains and it doesn't go on too long, clocking in at a brisk hour and 10 minutes. The attraction between the two leads is believable and the comic relief (and this movie's already a comedy, really) doesn't take up too much time. SCORE: 6/10

ACTING: This is Clara Bow's movie, and she shines, defining IT without words. Her acting is charming and she makes it look easy. Bow displays an effervescent charm throughout, as well as plenty of sass when necessary. It's no wonder she was so popular (and still is). Antonio Moreno gives a good performance as well, charming and suave without being oily. Moreno and Bow show wonderful chemistry. Jacqueline Gadsden plays the seemingly thankless role of the disregarded girlfriend, but she gives a nicely understated performance. I found William Austin (as Monty, Waltham's hapless buddy) a little broad in spots, but he was amusing and likable overall. SCORE: 8/10

CINEMATOGRAPHY/PRODUCTION: IT is a competently produced movie from the tail end of the silent era. There's not a whole lot that stands out but there are some interesting touches here and there, like the dramatic overhead shot at the beginning of the department store and the zoom effect on the pedestrians on the sidewalk (how did they do that back then?) and the shot of Bow and Moreno in a kind of tumbling machine at the amusement park that moves with them rather than just showing them, also very unusual for the time. The editing is fairly well done. SCORE: 7/10

SUMMARY: IT is not a deathless classic, but it does spotlight the charm and talents of Clara Bow. The story is fairly basic, and rather problematic at times, but the performances provide the main interest and keep it entertaining. SCORE: 7/10

I've recently taken to watching some of the old silent films. I've noticed that most of them, including this one, have one thing in common. I mean besides being silent.

They tend to start off with a bang, and end with a bang, but often plod in the middle. Not a lot, but the middle is where it's usually slow. This could have a lot to do with the old popcorn and soda time in old theaters.

This story is more about the performances than the story itself. Hard to believe, but many of the old silents had very great acting talents. They're able to use expressions and bodies to emote, and I have to be frank, they do it much better than most modern actors, and infinitely better than almost all modern actresses.

This story is basically about "It", which is a mythical quality that makes the opposite sex helpless to you. The supporting character, Monty, who is a tremendous comic talent here, is the vehicle for endorsing "It".

We get a love story in the meanwhile, and that bogs the story down a bit in the middle. It begins with Monty's great comedy, and ends with some great comedy and romance. Along the way, all the performers give a great show.

This is more "stage presentation" in that regard, in giving us performance and style, but we also get some nice scenery, particularly on the boat.

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

This is one of the first examples of a "concept film", as well as one of the earlier examples of product placement. The concept of "It" is referred to throughout the film, including the scene where Elinor Glyn appears as herself and defines "It" for Mr. Waltham. Cosmopolitan magazine is featured prominently in a scene where the character Monty reads Glyn's story and introduces it to the audience.

Whether or not this is a great film, it did introduce the concept of "it", which has had surprising longevity. And it made Clara Bow famous. And, further still, it is probably one of the earliest examples of a romantic comedy, a genre we typical don't think of being so old.

This is easily one of my favorite films from the silent era. The story itself is a fun, little, romantic tale. What's great about the movie, though, is watching Clara Bow's performance. She's fantastic to watch, and truly lights up the screen any time she's shown. Also fun to watch for is Gary Cooper in a very early cameo as a reporter. This movie looks great on the DVD, which also features the enjoyable documentary, "Clara Bow: Discovering the It Girl". Highly recommended.

This movie is all about Clara Bow. Although I did laugh at William Austin's performance as "Monty". So very silly.

But back to Clara! What charisma did she have - innocent but mischieveous at the same time. Funny, but sexy.

The moodswings in the story and her character are a bit strange, they sometimes seem to kind of come from nowhere. It is a fun movie, but not necessarily a classic. The story is what it is. But worth it for Miss Bow alone, which is I'm sure the reason most people will want to see this more than 90 years after it was released.

So, how many people do you know who have "It" (aka. Sex Appeal)?

Well, back in 1927, it was the 22-year-old flapper girl & budding actress, Clara Bow who was considered to be the absolute epitome of "It". In fact, Clara had so much "It" that she was crowned the "It Girl".

And so, with a hot commodity like Miss Clara Bow on their hands, the movie industry set out to prove that, yes, indeed, Clara and "It" were, beyond a doubt, one & the same thing. And with that in mind they eagerly starred this feisty, young flapper in this "Screwball-Comedy", titled, just that, "It".

Anyways - To say that this 1927, silent-era, Chick Flick has clearly lost most of its initial punch and dated badly over the past 87 years would be a total understatement. In order for this viewer to get any real enjoyment out of "It", I had to cut it way too much slack. And, in the long run, it just wasn't worth the bother.

*Special Note* - Regardless of Clara Bow's vast popularity in silent films, the coming of sound quickly proved to be the beginning of the end for her career. It seems that Bow's mega-thick, Brooklyn accent ruined her overall appeal with her audience. And so, the "It Girl" was inevitably reduced to being just another "has-been" in no time flat.

And from that point onwards, Bow's life was repeatedly punctuated by alcoholism and mental instability. In 1965, Clara Bow, now long forgotten, died at the age of 60.