The Perils of Pauline

The Perils of Pauline

Director: George Marshall Cast: Frank Loesser
Frank Loesser
, Robert Emmett Dolan
Robert Emmett Dolan
, Betty Hutton
Betty Hutton
, John Lund
John Lund
George Marshall
The Perils of Pauline

The Perils of Pauline

Director: George Marshall Cast: Frank Loesser
Frank Loesser
, Robert Emmett Dolan
Robert Emmett Dolan
, Betty Hutton
Betty Hutton
, John Lund
John Lund
George Marshall

DVD

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Overview

The third of four films bearing the title of The Perils of Pauline, this musical biopic purports to tell the life story of famed silent serial queen Pearl White. Right at the beginning, however, an introductory title informs the audience that what follows is merely "suggested" by incidents in White's life and career. Translation: The film is a fabrication from beginning to end, but an enjoyable one. Played on all four cylinders by Betty Hutton, White is introduced as a frustrated factory worker who aspires to become a dramatic actress. She joins a touring theatrical troupe managed by handsome but pompous Mike (John Lund), but fame and fortune elude her because she's unable to suppress her natural rambunctiousness. In desperation, White takes a job at a movie studio, where she promptly finds herself in the middle of a slapstick pie fight. With the help of bombastic director Mac (William Demarest), top-hatted villain portrayer Timmy (Billy De Wolfe), and imperious dramatics coach Julia (Constance Collier), Pearl soon becomes world-famous as the star of such cliffhanging, tied-to-the-railroad-tracks serials as The Perils of Pauline (hence the title of this film). At the height of her fame, she arranges for her theatrical mentor Mike to get a job as her leading man, forcing him to swallow his pride and admit that he's been in love with her from the moment he met her. A series of clichéd complications contrive to separate White and Mike, but he returns to her arms when she's seriously injured during a Parisian stage performance. A few fairly credible recreations of silent moviemaking techniques aside, The Perils of Pauline is wildly anachronistic and inaccurate (for one thing, Pearl White made most of her serials in New Jersey rather than Hollywood). As a musical comedy, however, the film passes muster, especially during the performance of such Frank Loesser tunes as "I Wish I Didn't Love You So" and "The Sewing Machine." As a bonus, the film rounds up several silent-movie veterans in cameo roles, including William Farnum, Chester Conklin, Jimmy Finlayson, Creighton Hale, Hank Mann -- and Paul Panzer, who played the sneering villain in the original 1914 Perils of Pauline.

Product Details

Release Date: 11/22/2016
UPC: 0889290261427
Original Release: 1947
Source: Film Detective
Language: English
Time: 1:36:00
Sales rank: 42,774

Cast & Crew

Performance Credits
Betty Hutton Pearl White
John Lund Michael Farrington
Billy De Wolfe Timmy Timmons
William Demarest Mac
Constance Collier Julia Gibbs
Frank Faylen Joe Gurt
William Farnum Hero, Western Saloon,Friar John,Friar John
Paul Panzer Gent, Interior Drawing Room
Snub Pollard Propman, Western Saloon,Propman in Saloon
Creighton Hale Marcelled Leading Man
Chester Conklin Chef Comic,Studio Cop
James Finlayson Chef Comic
Hank Mann Chef Comic
Bert Roach Bartender, Western Saloon
Francis McDonald Heavy, Western Saloon
Eric Alden Officer
Ethel Clayton Lady Montague
Harry Hayden Stage Manager
Julia Faye Nurse
Chester Clute Willie Millick
Myrtle Anderson Maid
Frank Ferguson Theater Owner
Rex Lease Reporter
Stanley Blystone Reporter
Sidney D'Albrook Reporter
John 'Skins' Miller Cameraman, Drawing Room Set
Bess Flowers Reporter
Paula Ray Reporter
Tom Dugan Balloonist
Eugene Borden French Doctor
Byron Poindexter Man
Ray de Ravenne Call Boy
Jack Shea Workman

Technical Credits
Frank R. Butler Screenwriter
P.J. Wolfson Screenwriter
Sol C. Siegel Producer
George Marshall Director
Walter Oberst Sound/Sound Designer
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