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 ...
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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. Rovi
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Seller's Description:
Betty Hutton, John Lund, Constance Collier, William Demarest, Billy De Wolfe. Fine in fine packaging. Originally released: 1947. Language: English. Run time: 96 mins. (m5) VHS movie is in excellent cond, with box in excellent cond; from private collection, not a video club copy.
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Good. May have very light or no surface scratches. Case and cover artwork are included but may show minimal signs of wear. If applicable: Digital copy or ultraviolet codes may be expired or not included.
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Disk is in good condition with minor to no wear. All disks are refinished to improve condition as needed. Case and artwork are in good condition with no tears or cracks. Thank you for shopping Goodwill Southern California. Your purchase helps create jobs and transforms lives through the power of work.
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'Snub' Pollard, Paul Panzer, Chester Conklin, William Farnum, Frank Faylen, Constance Collier, William Demarest, Billy De... Very good. 1947 Run time: 96. Providing great media since 1972. All used discs are inspected and guaranteed. Digital copy/codes may be expired or not included. We ship orders daily and Customer Service is our top priority!
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Ethel Clayton, Margaret Field, Buddy Gorman, Eric Alden, Franklyn Farnum, Heinie Conklin, Hank Mann, Snub Pollard, Paul... New. 2020 Buy with confidence-Satisfaction Guaranteed! Delivery Confirmation included for all orders in the US.
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Betty Hutton, John Lund, Billy De Wolfe. New. 1947 Run time: 96. Buy with confidence-Satisfaction Guaranteed! Delivery Confirmation included for all orders in the US.
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Billy De Wolfe, Constance Collier, William Demarest, John Lund, Betty Hutton. New. Run time: 93. Buy with confidence-Satisfaction Guaranteed! Delivery Confirmation included for all orders in the US.
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Seller's Description:
Betty Hutton, John Lund, Billy De Wolfe, William Demarest. New. Run time: 96. Buy with confidence-Satisfaction Guaranteed! Delivery Confirmation included for all orders in the US.