Product Details

• Actors: Marie Dressler, Wallace Beery, Dorothy Jordan, Marjorie Rambeau, Don Dillaway
• Directors: George W. Hill
• Writers: Frances Marion, Lorna Moon, Marion Jackson
• Producers: George W. Hill, Harry Rapf
• Format: Black & White, NTSC
• Rated: NR (Not Rated)
• Number of tapes: 1
• Studio: MGM (Warner)
• VHS Release Date: December 21, 1994
• Run Time: 66 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• ASIN: 6301972732
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #179,010 in Movies & TV (See Top 100 in Movies & TV)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars THE WORLD'S GREATEST ACTRESS......, November 29, 1999

By 

"scotsladdie" - See all my reviews

This review is from: Min & Bill [VHS] (VHS Tape)

That was how MGM publicized Marie Dressler in the early thirties. This film is a prime example of just why Marie Dressler was the TOP star of the early thirties. A large, homely woman in her early sixties, she nevertheless had such a natural way of acting that she left audiences satisfied, mesmorized and wanting more. I thought her speaking voice was unforgettable. Unfortunately, many of her films aren't easily found and are rarely seen today. TUGBOAT ANNIE is on video, but her supposedly great sentimental flick entitled EMMA isn't yet. Min is a waterfront hag (or cow as she refers to herself) who, years ago took in a child left behind by a loose woman named Bella. Min gives the kid a place to live in exchange for work. Bella comes back years later to see Min and her daughter, who is grown up and engaged to be married to a young man with social position. Min knows Bella is only interested in getting herself some money out of the daughter she cares nothing for. There is a fight and Min, thinking of the girl's future happiness, kills Bella and goes to prison with a "Stella Dallas" smile on her face. The fight between Dressler and Beery is the film's highlight and it's a DOOZEY! Marjorie Rambeau is good as the seedy, trampy Bella, but Dorothy Jordan is rather saccharine in her playing of the waif. Other Dressler films which will hopefully make it to video someday are REDUCING, PROSPERITY and POLITICS - depression comedies Dressler made with her foil Polly Moran.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars fine early "talkie" drama, September 7, 2007

By 

Matthew G. Sherwin (last seen screaming at Amazon customer service) - See all my reviews
(TOP 100 REVIEWER)    (HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)    (VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Min & Bill [VHS] (VHS Tape)

Marie Dressler and Wallace Beery star in one of the earliest great "talkies" entitled Min & Bill. Min (Marie Dressler) runs a waterfront hotel and saloon and she has a special although platonic bond with one of the people who rent a room there, the good natured but not very smart drunkard Bill (Wallace Beery).

The plot begins when we see that for many years Min has taken care of Nancy (Dorothy Jordan), a young girl who was essentially left on Min's doorstep when she was just a baby. Min cares deeply for Nancy and Bill too; despite her rough exterior Min has a heart of gold and good common sense. Unfortunately, trouble starts when the truant officer threatens to close down Min's hotel unless Min allows Nancy to go to school; and Min must agree to cooperate with the truant officer.

Eventually quite a few plot twists happen--I didn't find this movie slow despite what anybody else thought. Eventually Min sends Nancy to a fancy girl's school and Bill and Min continue to live their lives even though Min privately misses Nancy desperately.

Things get really rough when both Nancy and Nancy's mother Bella Pringle (Marjorie Rambeau) come back to Min's saloon and hotel for their own reasons. Will Bill and Min be able to keep the irresponsible Bella from finding out that Nancy is her real daughter? How would Nancy handle things if she knew that Bella was her mother? What happens between Min and Bella after Bella insists on sticking around and mooching off her daughter Nancy? No plot spoilers here, folks--you'll have to watch the movie to fine out these answers.

The choreography didn't impress me very much; the scenes don't have any fancy footwork in them and I suspect that this could be because many of the cameras they used at the time could be difficult to move. The cinematography reflects good judgment in scenes including the speeding, out of control boat ride with Min and Nancy in the boat as well as the beautiful pictures of the bay where Min's hotel is located.

Overall, Min & Bill provides great entertainment. The plot moved along at a good pace and it held my attention rather well. Marie Dressler gives a stunning performance as Min; and Wallace Beery as Bill is every bit as good. I highly recommend this film for fans of early "talkie" movies that truly remain classic movies to this day.

9 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Min and Bill, July 7, 2001

By 

David S. Kerr (Kansas City, MO United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Min & Bill [VHS] (VHS Tape)

Min and Bill earns a 5 star rating with me because it is a very human story.

Here we see greed, desire, shame, and maternal love on display. Min and Bill is a cinematic gem clerly toe to toe with Streetcar.

This movie is a "must see" for lovers of gutsy, character driven tragi-comedy.