Any Clara Bow fans?

[mike]

I recently saw a rare screening of Call Her Savage starring Clara Bow from Fox Films from 1932. Fox Movie Channel barely screens any of it's films pre-Zanuck helming the company. But what an amazing film! Anyone seen this? It's as pre-code as you get beginning with the sins of Clara's grandfather being the reason for her wild ways! Lots of violence and strange sex stuff and she just exudes such a intensity, I would have loved to have met her! Plus I had Wings recorded so that was a great follow up for someone who can't get anywhere enough of her! Any fellow fans...? Suggestions on titles to pursue?

 

[LizzieMaine]

"It" (1927) is the definitive Bow film -- a very simple, good-natured flapper comedy about a social-climbing shopgirl with designs on her boss. The story isn't anything Colleen Moore or Bebe Daniels couldn't have done (and in fact, did do, dozens of times over) but Bow's performance is incandescent -- she never stops moving the whole film. It's not an especially ribald performance, but it's a very energetic one. An added plus for we gals is the presence of Antonio Moreno, always fun to look at, as the boss.

 

[mike]

I know I've seen that one before, but I don't remember it having the effect Call Her Savage had on me! I'm a big fan of Colleen Moore too. Her Wild Oat is such a sweet & funny film!

 

[BegintheBeguine]

I love Clara Bow. You might want to read the book Clara Bow: Runnin' Wild by David Stenn. A cute comedy is The Wild Party, although I love all of her movies.

 

[Flivver]

I've been a huge fan of Clara Bow since I was a teenager.

While my favorite of her movies is "It", I also really enjoy "The Plastic Age" (1925) and "The Saturday Night Kid" (1929).

In "The Plastic Age" she plays a college co-ed while in "The Saturday Night Kid" she plays a shop girl caring for her bratty younger sister. Interestingly, "The Saturday Night Kid" was a re-make of the equally entertaining 1926 film "Love 'Em and Leave 'Em" starring Louise Brooks.

I recently watched the movie "Thorouhly Modern Millie" (1967) and noticed that it was heavily influenced by "It"...right down to the memorable scene where Clara climbs up on Antonio Moreno's desk!

 

[Atterbury Dodd]

So far I've only seen Wings, but after watching it I definitely consider myself a Clara Bow fan-- I'm going to try to get my hands on more movies with her in them.

 

[Amy Jeanne]

Clara Bow means a LOT to me. I've seen a lot of her films and she shines in them all.

 

[mike]

In Call Her Savage there was almost a sense of the surreal, like at any time she might grab ahold of a piece of the set and tear it down knocking over klieg lights and god knows what because nothing can stop her from doing what she wants to do. It was pretty intense! Raging cat fights, s&m, you name it! haha
I know there have been a few film festivals of Fox's pre-code films but so rare are they seen and never released on video. It's a strange period for Fox because it's right in the middle of William Fox losing his studio in court battles and right before Zanuck stepped in as head of the production. I know there's talk of looking at their back catalog for what they can release but who knows with what sort of time frame. I was surprised about this title because I didn't even know it! (And I worked there for a while)

 

[HadleyH]

Clara Bow means a LOT to me. I've seen a lot of her films and she shines in them all.

She means a lot to me too. I'm also a great fan! I havent seen "Call her Savage" yet, but I own and love her movie "It".
She was 'the embodiment of the 1920s, the ultimate flapper ... Hollywood first sex symbol'

 

[mike]

there were a lot of sex symbols in early hollywood, but I think her energy connects with later generations. For instance, Priscilla Dean was a big sex symbol in the late teens/early 20s but by a viewer today it would be hard to see why her name would stand out. Just my two nerdy cents [huh]

 

[Mojito]

Love her. An absolute star.

Also an interesting personality, aside from her screen achievements. Her poverty stricken childhood and the way she was treated by her Hollywood contemporaries and in the gossip rumour mill for decades inspire indignation even now, as the way her talent and work ethnic overcame that inspires admiration...but when you watch her perform, all that just evaporates and you just see her phenomenal presence. Magic.

 

[mike]

Call Her Savage, available here aaand cheap!

 

[ShortClara]

I'm with Amy Jeanne - she's my favorite movie star of all time. I dubbed myself after her! Such a natural, honest and beautiful lady - inside and out!

I have an auto-record on my Tivo for her and when I caught Call her Savage I was so pleasantly surprised! no one ever plays her movies. Definitely read the David Stenn book - it's wonderful.