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Overview
User Rating:
Director:
Writers:
Ben Hecht (story)
Hugh Herbert (continuity)
more
Release Date:
12 September 1929 (USA) more
Plot:
An insanely, egocentric ventriloquist, even though he is possessed by his wooden dummy, is in love with a dancer who is in love with another. The dummy gives advice to the ventriloquist. full summary | add synopsis
User Comments:
disappointing film, powerful performances more (14 total)
Cast
(Credited cast) | Erich von Stroheim | ... | Gabbo |
| Betty Compson | ... | Mary |
| Donald Douglas | ... | Frank |
| Marjorie Kane | ... | Babe (as Margie 'Babe' Kane) |
| Marbeth Wright | ... | Dancer |
| rest of cast listed alphabetically: | |||
| John F. Hamilton | ... | Neighbour |
| Helen Kane | ... | Helen |
| Harry Ross | ... | Performer |
Additional Details
Parents Guide:
Runtime:
92 min
Country:
Color:
Black and White | Color (Multicolor)
Certification:
USA:Passed (National Board of Review)
Company:
Fun Stuff
Trivia:
The "Gaga Bird" production number is presumed lost. Please check your attic. more
Quotes:
[first lines]
Gabbo:
Well, Otto, my boy, how do you feel today?
Otto:
Oh, I feel fine, thank you. How do you feel, Gabbo?
more
Movie Connections:
Featured in "Fractured Flickers: (#1.19)" (1963) more
Soundtrack:
Ickey (Lollipop Song) more
FAQ
What is the name of Gabbo's dummy?List: Ventriloquists who have disturbing relationships with their dummies.
Can I watch this film online?
more
more (14 total)
Message Boards
Discuss this movie with other users on IMDb message board for The Great Gabbo (1929)| Recent Posts (updated daily) | User |
|---|---|
| German language podcast on The Great Gabbo | tom-strillo |
| Runtime? 68 vs 92 min | burungku |
| Gabbo Gabbo GABBO! | julianrockz |
Recommendations
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| Across the Universe | The White Countess | Home from the Hill | Bitter Victory | Singin' in the Rain |
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IMDb User Rating:
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Related Links
| Full cast and crew | Company credits | External reviews |
| IMDb Drama section | IMDb USA section | Add this title to MyMovies |
Though I agree with previous reviewers' comments about the good performances turned in by Erich Von Stroheim and Betty Compson, I thought the movie was disappointing overall. There isn't really much of a story, the dramatic scenes are often slow, and the rather bizarre musical numbers are poorly integrated into the plot. I'm not sure why this movie isn't classified as a musical, though; it has as many numbers as "42nd Street" and other similar titles from about the same period. Unfortunately, as a previous reviewer said, these scenes are not as creatively done as those by Busby Berkeley; the choreography is often unappealing, and the dancers don't look very well-rehearsed, though there are some bright spots.
Interestingly, the contemporary "Variety" review mentioned a color sequence in the film, which was not present on the Video Yesteryear VHS copy I watched. I wonder if this piece is lost, or available on other editions?