The Great Gabbo
Encyclopedia
The Great Gabbo is an American early sound film
musical drama film directed by James Cruze
, based on a story ("The Rival Dummy") by Ben Hecht
and starring Erich von Stroheim
and Betty Compson
.
As originally released by Sono Art-World Wide Pictures
, the film featured sequences in Multicolor
. The current prints, restored by the Library of Congress
and released by Kino International on DVD, are only in black and white.
"The Great Gabbo" (Stroheim) who, as he spirals down into madness, increasingly uses his dummy "Otto" as his only means of self-expression—an artist driven insane by his work. Gabbo's gimmick is his astonishing ability to make Otto talk—and even sing—while Gabbo himself smokes, drinks and eats. Gabbo's girlfriend and assistant (Betty Compson) loves him, but is driven to another performer (Donald Douglas) by Gabbo's deteriorating personality.
. Footage of the dance sequences was re-used with different music in The Girl from Calgary
(1932).
The public domain version available on Internet Archive
runs 68 minutes, while the original film ran 92 minutes. The title sequence
mentions "Color by Multicolor" however those color sequences are now lost
. Multicolor, based on the earlier Prizma
color process, went out of business in 1932, and its assets were bought by Cinecolor
.
(1945), two episodes of the popular television series The Twilight Zone
("The Dummy
," Season 3, Episode 33 and "Caesar and Me
," Season 5, Episode 148); and the 1978 Anthony Hopkins film Magic. An episode of The Simpsons
, "Krusty Gets Kancelled
," also featured a ventriloquist's dummy by the name of Gabbo. The Batman
villain Ventriloquist
(and his dummy Scarface) are arguably based on the Great Gabbo as well, also depicting the madness that comes from one person living two personas.
Sound film
A sound film is a motion picture with synchronized sound, or sound technologically coupled to image, as opposed to a silent film. The first known public exhibition of projected sound films took place in Paris in 1900, but decades would pass before sound motion pictures were made commercially...
musical drama film directed by James Cruze
James Cruze
James Cruze was a silent film actor and film director.-Life:Cruze was born as Jens Vera Cruz Bosen. The Vera Cruz middle name came from the battle of Vera Cruz. He was raised in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, but did not practice the religion after his teenage years...
, based on a story ("The Rival Dummy") by Ben Hecht
Ben Hecht
Ben Hecht was an American screenwriter, director, producer, playwright, and novelist. Called "the Shakespeare of Hollywood", he received screen credits, alone or in collaboration, for the stories or screenplays of some 70 films and as a prolific storyteller, authored 35 books and created some of...
and starring Erich von Stroheim
Erich von Stroheim
Erich von Stroheim was an Austrian-born film star of the silent era, subsequently noted as an auteur for his directorial work.-Background:...
and Betty Compson
Betty Compson
Betty Compson was an American actress. Born Eleanor Luicime Compson in Beaver, Utah, she had an extensive film career. Her father died when she was young, and she was forced to drop out of school and earn a living for herself and her mother...
.
As originally released by Sono Art-World Wide Pictures
Sono Art-World Wide Pictures
Sono Art-World Wide Pictures was an American film distribution and production company that existed from 1927 to 1933. Among their feature films was The Great Gabbo starring Erich von Stroheim and directed by James Cruze for James Cruze Productions, Inc...
, the film featured sequences in Multicolor
Multicolor
Multicolor is a subtractive natural color process for motion pictures. Multicolor, introduced to the motion picture industry in 1929, was based on the earlier Prizma Color process, and was the forerunner of Cinecolor....
. The current prints, restored by the Library of Congress
Library of Congress
The Library of Congress is the research library of the United States Congress, de facto national library of the United States, and the oldest federal cultural institution in the United States. Located in three buildings in Washington, D.C., it is the largest library in the world by shelf space and...
and released by Kino International on DVD, are only in black and white.
Plot summary
The movie follows a brilliant ventriloquistVentriloquism
Ventriloquism, or ventriloquy, is an act of stagecraft in which a person manipulates his or her voice so that it appears that the voice is coming from elsewhere, usually a puppeteered "dummy"...
"The Great Gabbo" (Stroheim) who, as he spirals down into madness, increasingly uses his dummy "Otto" as his only means of self-expression—an artist driven insane by his work. Gabbo's gimmick is his astonishing ability to make Otto talk—and even sing—while Gabbo himself smokes, drinks and eats. Gabbo's girlfriend and assistant (Betty Compson) loves him, but is driven to another performer (Donald Douglas) by Gabbo's deteriorating personality.
Cast
- Erich von StroheimErich von StroheimErich von Stroheim was an Austrian-born film star of the silent era, subsequently noted as an auteur for his directorial work.-Background:...
as The Great Gabbo - Betty CompsonBetty CompsonBetty Compson was an American actress. Born Eleanor Luicime Compson in Beaver, Utah, she had an extensive film career. Her father died when she was young, and she was forced to drop out of school and earn a living for herself and her mother...
as Mary - Donald DouglasDon DouglasDon Douglas was a film actor, born Donald Douglas on 24 August 1905 in Kinleyside, Scotland, UK.He appeared in over 100 films from the late 1920s to the 1940s including The Great Gabbo , Life Begins , Men in White , Madame X , Cheers for Miss Bishop , Now, Voyager , Little Tokyo, U.S.A. , Tall in...
as Frank - Marjorie KaneMarjorie KaneMarjorie Kane was an American film actress. She appeared in 68 films between 1929 and 1951. She was born in Chicago, Illinois.-Selected filmography:* The Great Gabbo * Be Yourself...
as Babe - Marbeth Wright as Dancer
- John F. Hamilton as Neighbour
- Harry RossHarry RossHenry "Harry" Ross was a Scottish professional footballer who played as a full back.-References:...
as Performer - George Grandee as Otto (voice)
Production
Though not a musical, the stark drama is oddly juxtaposed with the somewhat overblown and gauche musical sequences, especially "Every Now and Then", "I'm in Love with You", "The New Dance Step", "Caught in a Web of Love", and the now-lost color number "The Ga-Ga Bird". The "Web of Love" sequence is occasionally shown on Classic Arts ShowcaseClassic Arts Showcase
Classic Arts Showcase is a television channel in the United States promoting the fine arts. The television program content includes prepared media and recorded live performances...
. Footage of the dance sequences was re-used with different music in The Girl from Calgary
The Girl from Calgary
The Girl from Calgary is a 1932 American musical comedy film directed by Phil Whitman.- Cast :*Fifi D'Orsay as Fifi Follette*Paul Kelly as Larry Boyd*Robert Warwick as Bill Webster*Edwin Maxwell as Earl Darrell*Astrid Allwyn as Mazie Williams...
(1932).
The public domain version available on Internet Archive
Internet Archive
The Internet Archive is a non-profit digital library with the stated mission of "universal access to all knowledge". It offers permanent storage and access to collections of digitized materials, including websites, music, moving images, and nearly 3 million public domain books. The Internet Archive...
runs 68 minutes, while the original film ran 92 minutes. The title sequence
Title sequence
A Title Sequence is the method by which cinematic films or television programs present their title, key production and cast members, or both, utilizing conceptual visuals and sound...
mentions "Color by Multicolor" however those color sequences are now lost
Lost film
A lost film is a feature film or short film that is no longer known to exist in studio archives, private collections or public archives such as the Library of Congress, where at least one copy of all American films are deposited and catalogued for copyright reasons...
. Multicolor, based on the earlier Prizma
Prizma
The Prizma Color system was a technique of color motion picture photography, invented in 1913 by William Van Doren Kelley and Charles Raleigh. Initially, it was a two-color additive color system, similar to its predecessor, Kinemacolor...
color process, went out of business in 1932, and its assets were bought by Cinecolor
Cinecolor
Cinecolor was an early subtractive color-model two color film process, based upon the Prizma system of the 1910s and 1920s and the Multicolor system of the late 1920s and 1930s. It was developed by William T. Crispinel and Alan M...
.
Influence
The film's basic plot and themes would later be resurrected many times, most famously in the British portmanteau film Dead of NightDead of Night
Dead of Night is a British portmanteau horror film made by Ealing Studios, its various episodes directed by Alberto Cavalcanti, Charles Crichton, Basil Dearden and Robert Hamer. The film stars Mervyn Johns, Googie Withers and Michael Redgrave...
(1945), two episodes of the popular television series The Twilight Zone
The Twilight Zone (1959 TV series)
The Twilight Zone is an American anthology television series created by Rod Serling, which ran for five seasons on CBS from 1959 to 1964. The series consisted of unrelated episodes depicting paranormal, futuristic, dystopian, or simply disturbing events; each show typically featured a surprising...
("The Dummy
The Dummy
"The Dummy" is an episode of the American television anthology series The Twilight Zone.-Synopsis:The episode opens with ventriloquist Jerry Etherson and his dummy Willie in the middle of one of his acts, somewhere in New York City. After the act, he goes back to his dressing room and begins to...
," Season 3, Episode 33 and "Caesar and Me
Caesar and Me
"Caesar and Me" is an episode of the American television anthology series The Twilight Zone.-Synopsis:Jonathan West is an unsuccessful Irish ventriloquist. He is perpetually broke, selling valuable keepsakes like his grandfather's watch to pawn brokers to get some money...
," Season 5, Episode 148); and the 1978 Anthony Hopkins film Magic. An episode of The Simpsons
The Simpsons
The Simpsons is an American animated sitcom created by Matt Groening for the Fox Broadcasting Company. The series is a satirical parody of a middle class American lifestyle epitomized by its family of the same name, which consists of Homer, Marge, Bart, Lisa and Maggie...
, "Krusty Gets Kancelled
Krusty Gets Kancelled
"Krusty Gets Kancelled" is the twenty-second and final episode of The Simpsons fourth season. It first aired on the Fox network in the United States on May 13, 1993. In the episode, a new show featuring a puppet named Gabbo premieres in Springfield and competes with Krusty the Clown's show...
," also featured a ventriloquist's dummy by the name of Gabbo. The Batman
Batman
Batman is a fictional character created by the artist Bob Kane and writer Bill Finger. A comic book superhero, Batman first appeared in Detective Comics #27 , and since then has appeared primarily in publications by DC Comics...
villain Ventriloquist
Ventriloquist (comics)
The Ventriloquist is a fictional character, a supervillain and enemy of Batman in the . The Ventriloquist first appeared in Detective Comics #583 and was created by Alan Grant, John Wagner and Norm Breyfogle...
(and his dummy Scarface) are arguably based on the Great Gabbo as well, also depicting the madness that comes from one person living two personas.
Soundtrack
- "Every Now and Then"
- Sung by Marjorie KaneMarjorie KaneMarjorie Kane was an American film actress. She appeared in 68 films between 1929 and 1951. She was born in Chicago, Illinois.-Selected filmography:* The Great Gabbo * Be Yourself...
and Donald DouglasDonald DouglasDonald Douglas may refer to:*Donald Wills Douglas, Sr. , founder of Douglas Aircraft Company*Donald Wills Douglas, Jr. , son of the founder and later president of the company*Donald Douglas , film and television actor...
- "I'm In Love With You"
- Sung by Betty CompsonBetty CompsonBetty Compson was an American actress. Born Eleanor Luicime Compson in Beaver, Utah, she had an extensive film career. Her father died when she was young, and she was forced to drop out of school and earn a living for herself and her mother...
and Donald DouglasDonald DouglasDonald Douglas may refer to:*Donald Wills Douglas, Sr. , founder of Douglas Aircraft Company*Donald Wills Douglas, Jr. , son of the founder and later president of the company*Donald Douglas , film and television actor... - Written by Lynn Cowan and Paul Titsworth
- "That New Step"
- Sung by Marjorie KaneMarjorie KaneMarjorie Kane was an American film actress. She appeared in 68 films between 1929 and 1951. She was born in Chicago, Illinois.-Selected filmography:* The Great Gabbo * Be Yourself...
and chorus - Written by Lynn Cowan and Paul Titsworth
- "I'm Laughing"
- Sung by Otto the dummy and Erich von StroheimErich von StroheimErich von Stroheim was an Austrian-born film star of the silent era, subsequently noted as an auteur for his directorial work.-Background:...
- Written by King Zany and Donald McNamee
- "Ickey (Lollipop Song)"
- Sung by Otto the dummy, with Erich von StroheimErich von StroheimErich von Stroheim was an Austrian-born film star of the silent era, subsequently noted as an auteur for his directorial work.-Background:...
- "Web Of Love"
- Sung by Betty CompsonBetty CompsonBetty Compson was an American actress. Born Eleanor Luicime Compson in Beaver, Utah, she had an extensive film career. Her father died when she was young, and she was forced to drop out of school and earn a living for herself and her mother...
and Donald DouglasDonald DouglasDonald Douglas may refer to:*Donald Wills Douglas, Sr. , founder of Douglas Aircraft Company*Donald Wills Douglas, Jr. , son of the founder and later president of the company*Donald Douglas , film and television actor... - Written by Lynn Cowan and Paul Titsworth
See also
- The Twilight Zone (1959 TV series)The Twilight Zone (1959 TV series)The Twilight Zone is an American anthology television series created by Rod Serling, which ran for five seasons on CBS from 1959 to 1964. The series consisted of unrelated episodes depicting paranormal, futuristic, dystopian, or simply disturbing events; each show typically featured a surprising...
- Episode List
- Season 3
- The Twilight Zone (1959 TV series)The Twilight Zone (1959 TV series)The Twilight Zone is an American anthology television series created by Rod Serling, which ran for five seasons on CBS from 1959 to 1964. The series consisted of unrelated episodes depicting paranormal, futuristic, dystopian, or simply disturbing events; each show typically featured a surprising...
- Episode List
- Season 5
- The Ventriloquist (Batman nemesis)Ventriloquist (comics)The Ventriloquist is a fictional character, a supervillain and enemy of Batman in the . The Ventriloquist first appeared in Detective Comics #583 and was created by Alan Grant, John Wagner and Norm Breyfogle...
- Dead of Night (1945 film)Dead of NightDead of Night is a British portmanteau horror film made by Ealing Studios, its various episodes directed by Alberto Cavalcanti, Charles Crichton, Basil Dearden and Robert Hamer. The film stars Mervyn Johns, Googie Withers and Michael Redgrave...
- Knock on Wood (1954 film)
- Devil Doll (1964 film)Devil Doll (film)Devil Doll is a horror film about an evil ventriloquist, "The Great Vorelli", and his dummy Hugo. Decades after its initial release, it was featured on a 1997 episode of Mystery Science Theater 3000.-Plot:...
- Magic (1978 film)
- Krusty Gets KancelledKrusty Gets Kancelled"Krusty Gets Kancelled" is the twenty-second and final episode of The Simpsons fourth season. It first aired on the Fox network in the United States on May 13, 1993. In the episode, a new show featuring a puppet named Gabbo premieres in Springfield and competes with Krusty the Clown's show...
(The SimpsonsThe SimpsonsThe Simpsons is an American animated sitcom created by Matt Groening for the Fox Broadcasting Company. The series is a satirical parody of a middle class American lifestyle epitomized by its family of the same name, which consists of Homer, Marge, Bart, Lisa and Maggie...
episode) - List of early color feature films