Paint and Powder (1925)

movie

(34)

Country: USA
Genres: Drama
Release: 1925-09-16
Director: Hunt Stromberg
Writers: Harvey Gates , Fanny Hatton , Frederic Hatton , Langdon McCormick
Language: None | English
Stars: Elaine Hammerstein , Theodore von Eltz , Stuart Holmes , John St. Polis , Russell Simpson , Charles Murray , Derelys Perdue , Pat Hartigan , Ernest Belcher , Mrs. Charles Craig
Runtime: 70 min
Awards: N/A
AKA: Paint and Powder , Paint and Powder (United States of America) , Luzes e Sombras (Portugal, Portuguese Republic) , Rouge e Pó de Arroz (Brazil) , Footlights and Shadows (United Kingdom)
Plot: Elaine Hammerstein, part of the great theatrical family of producers and lyricists was a leading star on Broadway and -- in this period -- a leading actress in the films. Here in this backstage musical melodrama, she's a spunky New York Irish girl who makes her way up to star in a Broadway musical, but of course, she loves fellow New York Irish Teddy von Eltz. It's a full-dress melodrama co-written by Mrs. Fanny Hatton -- and, despite a few nice touches by director -- later MGM producer -- Hunt Stromberg, it doesn't work. It's hard to do musical numbers in silent pictures, although some people could manage -- Robert Z. Leonard could manage and von Stroheim's MERRY WIDOW works beautifully.However, the musical numbers, which should be set-pieces of beauty to contrast with the tawdriness of the rest of the melodrama, don't really come off. Miss Hammerstein looks best posing in the intermediate two-shots -- she is very charming but doesn't seem to know how to play to the camera, and the story line is fairly standard. Even the Demille-type party scene looks a little tired.While this is by no means a bad movie, it lacks anything to make it great. Worth a look. but missing it won't ruin your life.
IMDB:tt0016195