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Editorial Reviews
Sexy, jazz-loving and dressed to kill, Roxie Hart (Phyllis Haver) has a doting, handsome husband in Victor Varconi; not to mention a gold-digging affair on the side with Eugene Pallette, who pays and pays, eventually with his life. Put on trial for murder, Roxie secures lawyer Billy Flynn (Robert Edeson), equal part mob 'mouthpiece' and publicity agent. When Roxy hits the headlines, the courtroom theatrics begin. Like the musical Chicago that won the Best Picture Academy Award and five other Oscars in 2002, this original 1927 version descends from a 1926 hit Broadway play by Maurine Watkins. It s a terrifically entertaining mix of humor and melodrama as well as a pungent critique of trash journalism. Frank Urson signed Chicago as director, although it is substantially the work of Cecil B. DeMille and his A-list technical staff. (DeMille apparently judged it unseemly to take full credit for this cynical and secular story while his religious spectacle The King of Kings was still in theatres!) Chicago is silent filmmaking at its peak, with an outstanding score for this edition by the Mont Alto Motion Picture Orchestra. The 1927 Chicago was long believed a lost film, but a perfect print survived in Cecil B. DeMille s private collection. Restored by the UCLA Film and Television Archive in 2006, it has since been widely performed to rapturous audiences. This deluxe Flicker Alley 2-disc collection also includes two excellent bonus films: The Golden Twenties (1950), a compilation documentary feature produced by The March of Time from authentic footage of the era; and Oscar-winning Lauren Lazin's The Flapper Story (1985), in which several self-declared children of the roaring twenties look back across the decades on their youthful lives. A Note on This Edition Chicago is mastered in high definition at 25 frames per second directly from Cecil B. DeMille s original nitrate print, through the courtesy of the DeMille Estate. The Golden Twenties is also mastered in high definition from a 35mm duplicate negative and magnetic sound track, while The Flapper Story is mastered from a composite print by arrangement with producer-director Lauren Lazin. All three films are produced for DVD by David Shepard. Included are a brochure by Thomas Pauly on author Maurine Watkins and the factual background of Chicago, notes by Robert S. Birchard, author of Cecil B. DeMille s Hollywood, and a special documentary supplement, Chicago; The Real Roxy Hart by Jeffery Masino and Silas Lesnick.
Customer Reviews
“ Flicker Alley is to be praised for giving us a spectacular version of this film, mastered directly from DeMille's own original nitrate print which looks immaculate. ”
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
26 of 26 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
Flicker Alley is giving the home video premiere to the 1927 silent film "CHICAGO" on July 7th. This is the film that was based on the 1926 play of the same name and THAT was on a book (by Maurine Watkins). And this film formed the basis for the Broadway show, and later the Oscar winning film by the same name. (and there was also the non-musical film "Roxy Hart").
The 1927 film was considered lost but a near-pristine copy was found in Director Cecil B. DeMille's private collection and the folks at UCLA did some restoration and transfer. Apparently it has been shown at festivals but never released on home video.
To say that the print is gorgeous is an understatement! The blacks are sharp black and the whites are sharp too. (And this is on the same TV where the new "A Star is Born" restoration wasn't so sharp.) Phyllis Haver is Roxy and she is great! Sexy, cute and lethal with a gun. The pre-code sexuality is highly entertaining and the new score is perfect - with great sound effects too! I couldn't take my eyes off the screen.
The film is being released in a 2-DVD package (with great graphics and a 26 page book of notes and photos). The first disc has the film as well as photo gallery. Plus a short documentary about the woman upon who the Hart character was based. The second disc has a brief column documentary from the 1980s titled "Flapper Girl" in which filmmaker Lauren Lazin interviews five women who were "flappers" in the 20s. and a compilation from the March of Time series titled "The Golden Twenties", which is fun to watch. The print of the former is somewhat worn - but still watchable - while the March of Time one is, again, in beautiful condition.
All these bonuses - and is some CD-ROM material on one disc as well - are, of course, icing on the cake. The real reason to see this is for the feature film! You'll watch it a second time just to catch Haver in action!
Jeff Masino and David Shepard (the Flicker alley owners) have done great reissues in the past. This is another gem and they should be thanked for putting together this superb package.
Steve Ramm
"Anything Phonographic"
The 1927 film was considered lost but a near-pristine copy was found in Director Cecil B. DeMille's private collection and the folks at UCLA did some restoration and transfer. Apparently it has been shown at festivals but never released on home video.
To say that the print is gorgeous is an understatement! The blacks are sharp black and the whites are sharp too. (And this is on the same TV where the new "A Star is Born" restoration wasn't so sharp.) Phyllis Haver is Roxy and she is great! Sexy, cute and lethal with a gun. The pre-code sexuality is highly entertaining and the new score is perfect - with great sound effects too! I couldn't take my eyes off the screen.
The film is being released in a 2-DVD package (with great graphics and a 26 page book of notes and photos). The first disc has the film as well as photo gallery. Plus a short documentary about the woman upon who the Hart character was based. The second disc has a brief column documentary from the 1980s titled "Flapper Girl" in which filmmaker Lauren Lazin interviews five women who were "flappers" in the 20s. and a compilation from the March of Time series titled "The Golden Twenties", which is fun to watch. The print of the former is somewhat worn - but still watchable - while the March of Time one is, again, in beautiful condition.
All these bonuses - and is some CD-ROM material on one disc as well - are, of course, icing on the cake. The real reason to see this is for the feature film! You'll watch it a second time just to catch Haver in action!
Jeff Masino and David Shepard (the Flicker alley owners) have done great reissues in the past. This is another gem and they should be thanked for putting together this superb package.
Steve Ramm
"Anything Phonographic"
6 of 6 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD|Amazon Verified Purchase
"Those who forget History are condemned to repeat it" is the famous quote and perhaps that explains the current movie climate where remakes predominate. As we continue to evolve into a culture of short term gratification and long term memory loss, it's important to rediscover forgotten parts of our cinematic history especially when it's presented in such a way as this. David Shepard and Flicker Alley are to be congratulated yet again for their fine work in bringing to us another film previously thought to be lost.
For those of you not familiar with the award winning Broadway musical or 2002 film version, CHICAGO is based on a 1926 play which tells the story of the trial of Roxie Hart, an adulterous wife who shot her lover after he tried to ditch her. The play isn't about the verdict but how the trial is used to promote almost everyone involved except the long suffering husband. Although played for all its melodramatic possibilities with elements of humor, it sadly shows us that little has changed in 80 years when it comes to sensationalistic journalism.
The film rights were quickly snapped up by Cecil B. De Mille who had his own movie company at this time. It's essentially his movie all the way but he allowed Frank Urson (an assistant director) to take credit because of De Mille's involvement with THE KING OF KINGS which was already in theaters. Phyllis Haver gives a wonderfully manic and comic performance as Roxie Hart while Victor Varconi excels as the betrayed husband, Amos Hart and yes that's gravelly voiced Eugene Pallette minus his voice and later girth as the murdered lover. The print looks as if it were processed yesterday and Rodney Sauer's score is up to his usual fine standards. With the usual Flicker Alley extras, CHICAGO is a must for silent film fans and is an ideal introduction to those who are not.
For those of you not familiar with the award winning Broadway musical or 2002 film version, CHICAGO is based on a 1926 play which tells the story of the trial of Roxie Hart, an adulterous wife who shot her lover after he tried to ditch her. The play isn't about the verdict but how the trial is used to promote almost everyone involved except the long suffering husband. Although played for all its melodramatic possibilities with elements of humor, it sadly shows us that little has changed in 80 years when it comes to sensationalistic journalism.
The film rights were quickly snapped up by Cecil B. De Mille who had his own movie company at this time. It's essentially his movie all the way but he allowed Frank Urson (an assistant director) to take credit because of De Mille's involvement with THE KING OF KINGS which was already in theaters. Phyllis Haver gives a wonderfully manic and comic performance as Roxie Hart while Victor Varconi excels as the betrayed husband, Amos Hart and yes that's gravelly voiced Eugene Pallette minus his voice and later girth as the murdered lover. The print looks as if it were processed yesterday and Rodney Sauer's score is up to his usual fine standards. With the usual Flicker Alley extras, CHICAGO is a must for silent film fans and is an ideal introduction to those who are not.
9 of 11 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
In recent years, audiences have thronged to both the stage musicals and motion pictures entitled Chicago, with stars like Richard Gere, Catherine Zeta-Jones and Renee Zellweger in the 2002 Oscar-winning film, and Ginger Rogers in the 1942 movie version entitled Roxie Hart. All of these successful productions are based on the original stage play and subsequent first motion picture from 1927, which writer Maurine Dallas Watkins based on a real-life murder trial which she covered as a journalist for the Chicago Tribute in 1924.
After 172 successful Broadway shows in 1926, the first film adaptation was made by the DeMille Production Company, and like most silent films attached to the name of Cecil B DeMille, it contains all the elements of a top-quality Hollywood production. As such, however, a few changes from the original stage play were made to suit film audiences, resulting in a serious drama with light touches of humour. An outstanding performance by Phyllis Haver in the lead role as Roxie Hart also greatly contributes to the effectiveness of the film.
As a non-musical film adaptation, attention is directed at the main characters and the story of the infamous murder and trial. The beautiful, blonde Roxie Hart, whose adoring husband is devoted to her, hides a dark double life which is exposed when she shoots her lover and kills him. Claiming self-defense because she feared the thief and stranger who broke into her home would rape her, an all-male jury acquitted her of murder charges, but it is the way in which she manipulates her surroundings to her own benefit that is expertly conveyed in this film.
Using her attractiveness and sex appeal, Roxie plays the sweet and innocent maiden to the hilt, with coaching from her lawyer to appeal to the sympathy of the jurors. The feminine wiles she over-acts in these cases are humorous indeed, but not when the result in real life is an acquittal solely due to her appearance and behaviour in court. The viewer is well aware of Roxie's true nature, her complete lack of conscience or remorse, and even her pleasure in flaunting herself and manipulating others. Her main victim is Amos Hart, her husband, who stoops to stealing in order to pay for her legal fees, and stands by her throughout the trial despite his eyes having been opened to her true nature.
Typifying superficial people obsessed with their attractiveness, Roxie is self-absorbed, feisty, money-hungry and opportunistic, and craves attention and publicity. Accomplished actress, Phyllis Haver had already appeared in nearly a hundred films, beginning her career ten years earlier as one of Mack Sennett's Bathing Beauties - the pedestal for other successful silent screen stars such as Mabel Normand and Gloria Swanson. In contrast to the vibrant character of Roxie, Hungarian-born actor, Victor Varconi, is equally effective in his portrayal of the pathetic husband who silently observes his wife's charade.
The use and abuse of journalism and sensationalism are also shown effectively in this superbly crafted silent film, visually expressing transparent motives, feelings and a great deal about human nature without much dialogue. A poignant ending without words adds the finishing touch, and it is no surprise that Chicago was presented to a sellout house of 1,400 people at the San Francisco Silent Film Festival in 2006.
After 172 successful Broadway shows in 1926, the first film adaptation was made by the DeMille Production Company, and like most silent films attached to the name of Cecil B DeMille, it contains all the elements of a top-quality Hollywood production. As such, however, a few changes from the original stage play were made to suit film audiences, resulting in a serious drama with light touches of humour. An outstanding performance by Phyllis Haver in the lead role as Roxie Hart also greatly contributes to the effectiveness of the film.
As a non-musical film adaptation, attention is directed at the main characters and the story of the infamous murder and trial. The beautiful, blonde Roxie Hart, whose adoring husband is devoted to her, hides a dark double life which is exposed when she shoots her lover and kills him. Claiming self-defense because she feared the thief and stranger who broke into her home would rape her, an all-male jury acquitted her of murder charges, but it is the way in which she manipulates her surroundings to her own benefit that is expertly conveyed in this film.
Using her attractiveness and sex appeal, Roxie plays the sweet and innocent maiden to the hilt, with coaching from her lawyer to appeal to the sympathy of the jurors. The feminine wiles she over-acts in these cases are humorous indeed, but not when the result in real life is an acquittal solely due to her appearance and behaviour in court. The viewer is well aware of Roxie's true nature, her complete lack of conscience or remorse, and even her pleasure in flaunting herself and manipulating others. Her main victim is Amos Hart, her husband, who stoops to stealing in order to pay for her legal fees, and stands by her throughout the trial despite his eyes having been opened to her true nature.
Typifying superficial people obsessed with their attractiveness, Roxie is self-absorbed, feisty, money-hungry and opportunistic, and craves attention and publicity. Accomplished actress, Phyllis Haver had already appeared in nearly a hundred films, beginning her career ten years earlier as one of Mack Sennett's Bathing Beauties - the pedestal for other successful silent screen stars such as Mabel Normand and Gloria Swanson. In contrast to the vibrant character of Roxie, Hungarian-born actor, Victor Varconi, is equally effective in his portrayal of the pathetic husband who silently observes his wife's charade.
The use and abuse of journalism and sensationalism are also shown effectively in this superbly crafted silent film, visually expressing transparent motives, feelings and a great deal about human nature without much dialogue. A poignant ending without words adds the finishing touch, and it is no surprise that Chicago was presented to a sellout house of 1,400 people at the San Francisco Silent Film Festival in 2006.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
4.0 out of 5 stars
A brilliant restoration, but let’s restrain the hyperbole
On the technical side, this DVD is a five-star reproduction. The original copy is straight from a Cecil B DeMille film vault. Read more
Published 2 months ago by Phred
5.0 out of 5 stars
Beautiful picture
Often silent film releases on DVD are taken from well worn prints, as often this is the only known print of a given subject and you get what you get. Read more
Published 4 months ago by Gene E. McCluney
5.0 out of 5 stars
A ROARING 20's CLASSIC
CHICAGO (1927), is a tantalizingly entertaining film that offers us an accurate portrayal of the cynical view people had toward the law, trash journalism, and general moral... Read more
Published on August 30, 2010 by Anthony Crnkovich
5.0 out of 5 stars
A ROARING 20's CLASSIC
CHICAGO is a tantalizingly entertaining film that offers us an accurate portrayal of the cynical view people had toward the law, trash journalism, and general moral standards... Read more
Published on August 30, 2010
