It (1927)

Director:

Clarence G. Badger

Writers:

Elinor Glyn (novel) (adaptation)
Hope Loring (writer) ...

Release Date:

15 February 1927 (USA)

Genre:

Comedy | Romance

Plot:

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

Plot Keywords:

Department Store | Shopgirl | Materialism | Unmarried Mother | One Word Title

Awards:

1 win

Cast

Clara Bow	...	Betty Lou Spence
Antonio Moreno	...	Cyrus Waltham Jr.
William Austin	...	Monty Montgomery
Priscilla Bonner	...	Molly
Jacqueline Gadsden	...	Adela Van Norman
Julia Swayne Gordon	...	Mrs. Van Norman
Elinor Glyn	...	Herself (as Madame Elinor Glyn)

Runtime:

72 min

Country:

USA

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Sound Mix:

Silent

Company:

Famous Players-Lasky Corporation

Trivia:

Elinor Glyn gave many confusing and sometimes contradictory explanations for what "It" meant, but she always said that "It" did not mean "sex appeal" and anyone who said it did was vulgarizing her concept. Nonetheless, it was as a euphemism for "sex appeal" that "It" entered the language in the 1920s.

Quotes:

Betty Lou: So you're one of those Minute Men - the minute you meet a girl you think you can kiss her!

Movie Connections:

Featured in Marilyn Monroe: Beyond the Legend (1987)

A decent romantic comedy made wonderful by the presence of Clara Bow

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.