User Reviews

I decided I'd watch a little bit of this film on the computer. Knowing me I usually get distracted and stop watching but this film was so very different. My first silent film, and already a favourite. I could literally not stop watching Clara Bow, she was absolutely fascinating. I'd read David Stenn's wonderful biography on her so it was great to see her finally acting. When she's on screen you block out everything else and her acting ability wonderful - she can cry at the drop of a hat! So, instead of getting distracted I watched this movie the whole way through and enjoyed every moment of it... but my favourite parts were definitely with Clara. In fact, you could say I wasn't really interested in anyone else! This movie is HER movie. It's fun, flirty and just a great movie. I recommend it for anyone who loves silent movies, Clara Bow, or flirtatious movies pushing the limit. Age wise, I think I can recommend it for about 15 onwards - I'm 14 and I really enjoyed it - but not all teenagers will appreciate the film. Which is a pity, because it's wonderful!

I'm completely smitten with Clara Bow. After having seen Wings, and having just watched It and the TCM documentary Clara Bow: Discovering the It Girl, I have to say that she's just about the most amazing actress of the silent era. Even besides her limitless beauty, it seems like she can accomplish anything with her face. It's far too bad that she was never given a role that fully suited her immense talent. Wings is the closest she ever came to making a great film, it would seem, but, even though she steals the movie away from the other actors, the dogfights and action sequences steal the movie from her. So then It has to stand as her testament, the film that best demonstrates her legacy. And because of this, it's not surprising that Bow is all but forgotten. I mean, It certainly isn't a bad movie. It's a moderately well done romantic comedy where the shopgirl goes after her rich boss. It's fun and entertaining, but not necessarily something you'll remember for that long afterwords. Much like any romantic comedy that would be released today, among which the best is only an average movie. But then those looking to observe Clara Bow's talent don't exactly need another movie. Bow effortlessly raises the level of the project. It would have been rather average without her, but she makes it good. Quite good, in fact. I couldn't take my eyes off her, and I know that I'll visit the film again because of her. The other actors are mostly forgettable, except for William Austin. He plays the boss's best friend, and he's pretty obviously a homosexual. It's one of the more open depictions I've seen. He's quite funny, as well, and it's no mean feat that he wins any attention whatsoever away from Ms. Bow. 8/10.

this is a very fast paced and cute comedy starring the beautiful clara bow. the plot is fairly routine for it's era, but clara gives this film a real boost. she's especially appealing in a scene where she is making funny faces at her friends baby. the scenes at coney island are also fun to watch. and check out the subtitles with the 1920's slang. pretty funny stuff.

Nothing earth shattering here, no high art, just pure entertainment! A bit like today's light romantic comedies, but a tad better in a lot of instances! The real star here is Clara Bow who could after all really act and wasn't just another pretty face, although she was that and more! It's not difficult to see why she became a popular personality with her vivacity, energy and contagious charm! The girl just exuded fun! As Antonio Moreno said in the movie, "She has plenty in reserve!" There are some cute lines in the movie, like when Monty says, " I feel so low I'd have to walk on stilts under a dachshund." William Austin is an entertaining secondary character.

The print I saw was in good shape and I enjoyed the high angle shots of the department store at the beginning of the movie with the camera panning down to the street, the amusement park scenes and the scenes on the yacht. Makes me want to see Clara in a serious drama too! Worth watching for Clara to see what It was all about! I don't think It has changed that much even in the present day!

I first saw "It" last year at a mini-festival at the Kemper Museum in Kansas City. The audience was about equally middle-aged (50's, 60's; I'm 63) and young (many 20's and early 30's). Everybody roared with laughter and delight throughout the film.

This is not only a sweet, wacky comedy (with a strong ending--how I wish current filmmakers could learn that lesson!), but also a demonstration, as others have pointed out, of one of the most magnetic personalities ever to face a camera lens. Clara Bow's presence is simply heart-stopping and her basic goodness, at least in this role, is such that it makes me feel maybe there's a little hope for humankind after all.

I watched it again, with a friend, at home this evening and marveled anew at the extraordinary vitality of this wonderful young woman. The extremely silly story doesn't matter in the least. The lesson of the film, as much as there is one, is "where there's a will, there's a way," and to follow the exploits of our heroine's will is pure balm for any weary soul.

Cyrus (Antonio Moreno) is the heir to a large, successful department store. He falls for counter girl Betty (Clara Bow), a young woman who definitely has "IT", that indefinable quality that makes certain people the center of attention. Cyrus' goofball friend Monty (William Austin) tries to facilitate the "opposite sides of the track" romance between his buddy and Betty, with more than a few hiccups along the way. Also featuring Priscilla Bonner, Jacqueline Gadsdon, Julia Swayne Gordon, and Gary Cooper.

This was based on a story by Elinor Glyn, and if you don't know the name, you sure will by the end of the movie. Her name is featured prominently in the opening credits, then in a title card explaining what "IT" is, then in a copy of the story being read by a character in the movie, and then when Glyn shows up for a cameo, playing herself! Anyway, most people have heard of this movie and the "It Girl" moniker that it gave Clara Bow for the rest of her life..

It's a decent romantic comedy of the period, with many little period details that make modern viewing interesting. The changes in fashions, manner and speech are amusing. I don't think I'd ever seen the exclamation "Hot Socks!" before. Bow is cute, and pushes the boundary for what a woman could do, say and look like on screen (near the end of the film as she climbs soaking wet out of the water with her clothing clinging to her, leaving little to the imagination, comes to mind). In that way It prefigures the coming Pre-Code early sound era.

When it comes to IT, Clara Bow was in a league of her own. No other actress I've ever seen has even been close(maybe Jean Harlow). But most actresses since Clara didn't have silent films, which allowed her beautiful expressive eyes, facial expressions, and physical gestures (such as looking between the legs of stuffed toy dog) to do her talking and leave no doubt as to her intent. Her ability to do this made her special. I must admit that even though I loved this film, IT isn't my favorite performance by Clara. I happen to think she displayed as much and possibly more "IT" in some of her other silent movies like MANTRAP, HULA, & THE PLASTIC AGE than in IT. If you don't believe that's possible, then I highly recommend checking out some of her other films and judge for yourself. Even if you disagree, you will enjoy these performances if you enjoyed this film. As a whole, I think IT was the strongest of her silent films (in terms of plot, writing, and character development) that I've seen. Regardless, IT is the film for which Clara is most remembered and the favorite of her modern day fans. From Clara's scheming to reel in her boss as a husband to the hilarious sub-titles ("Sweet Santa, give me him", "Hot socks, the new boss", "I'll take the snap out of your garters", "He couldn't give birth to a suspicion", "On the contrary, I think she's got plenty in reserve"), I enjoyed this 1920s romantic comedy tremendously. Could Elinor Glyn, have been trying to promote her book or herself? IT was only defined 3 times during the movie (in the opening credits, in the first scene where Monty is reading about IT, and when Antonio Moreno asks Elinor Glyn herself in a scene about halfway through the film. I think if modern audiences would give IT a chance, they would be pleasantly surprised with Clara Bow. 9/10

An oddly beguiling silent romantic comedy.

It can't be argued to be a great film, with a thin, and (even for it's time) corny story of a salesgirl trying to win the heart of the handsome rich owner of the store.

But the acting is subtle and real for a silent, and if Clara Bow really isn't all that sexy, given that the film proclaims her the 'it' girl, she is charming and likable.

It's one of those films that just made me smile, with it's good humor, high energy, and surprisingly modern camera-work, even though I'd hate to be in an argument defending it's merits as art.

How sad that so few viewers will be able to experience seeing a silent film accompanied by a masterful artist playing a theatre pipe organ (e.g., Wurlitzer, Kimball, Moller, Barton, Compton, etc.). I recently saw Chris Elliott accompany this delightful movie on the fabulous Dickinson Kimball theatre pipe organ as one of the regular concerts held by the Dickinson Theatre Organ Society (Wilmington, DE). You forget that you are listening to a live accompaniment - the music becomes part of the film as if included in a soundtrack. But it's so much more than a soundtrack played back by a sound system. The organ tells the story just as much as do the facial expressions in these silent movies of the 1920s. The audience's laughter at the looks, antics, and words on the screen create an enjoyment unique to these silent flicks. At the conclusion of the movie, when Clara Bow gets her man, the mighty Kimball roared to a thrilling, full-organ climax at probably near 100 decibels.

With my attempt to look at this movie from a person in the 1920's I say this is a pretty good film. I was able to get a feel of life in New York in the 1920's and how things were. Clara Bow did a great job acting and allowing connecting with the audience i.e me. I was able to get a feel of her personality and values by the end of the movie. I must say to though that she did have IT. The acting by the rest of the cast was equally as good and kept me into the movie for the most part. Unfortunately though it is a silent film and not only is it a silent film but also a which I would call drama film. My knock on the movie is that unlike comedic silent films which keep you laughing I found myself dosing off here and there as to the fact that no words made some scenes boring and the piano melody in the background was rather soothing. Overall to those who are fans of silent films I say you would enjoy it, but to those who aren't as open or are watching a silent film for the first time I say find one more entertaining with more humor in it. Overall the movie didn't quite have IT.

Two years after "It" came out the silent picture would be a thing of the past. Still, the most striking thing about this movie, after the always beautiful Clara Bow, is how modern it looks. On the Kino DVD the picture is sharp and clear, with excellent contrast. It looks as good as black and white can.

The story itself is fluff. The It of the title, which translates roughly as sex appeal, is irrelevant to the plot. Salesgirl Betty Lou Spence (Bow) falls in love with owner of big department store Cyrus Waltham, Jr. (Antonio Moreno). She chases him, he chases her, misunderstanding separates them. Even though the plot is light, it fulfills its modest goals well, largely due to Bow's energy. William Austin, as Moreno's friend Monty, is also a high point. In one key scene he also shows himself to be a far more caring and sensitive person than Cyrus, and probably a better choice for Betty's affections. Sadly, that's not how this kind of movie works.

The camera work is pretty sophisticated for the time. The scenes of Betty and Cyrus's date at the beach, with quick cuts as the two laugh, play and fall in love, are now a cliche, although one that's still used. The use of panning, different angles during scenes and plenty of close-ups keep the movie moving, without the long shots before a stationary camera that characterized many indoor scenes during the silent era. Were it not for the lack of sound and the title cards, one could easily think this movie was made as late as the start of WWII.

"It" is not an important movie in the development of cinema, either in terms of technique or theme. Instead, it's an entertaining romantic comedy, largely due to Bow's electrifying screen presence and Austin's satisfying performance. Clara Bow was a huge star, who defined the female sex symbol during the 20s. Even today it's hard to imagine anyone watching her and being able to deny that she does indeed have It.

This film is best seen simply because it is a curiosity. Clara Bow, the star of the film, was labeled the "It Girl" because of her role in this movie and because the studio was looking for a publicity stunt. In its day, the film must have been seen as racy and exciting. However, in the 21st century, it just looks terribly dated. Clara's "outrageous" behaviors by today's standards seem very tame and the visit of the welfare snoops to the home of this unfit single mother is silly. If you look closely, though, in this same welfare scene, if you look carefully, you'll get a quick glimpse of a young Gary Cooper. He briefly appears here and in Wings (1927) because there apparently was quite a bit of off-screen chemistry going on between him and Bow at the time according to the extremely interesting biography entitled Clara Bow: Running Wild. it's a fascinating read and gives more insight into the rise and fall of the It Girl. Now, as for the movie, it's competently filmed and mildly interesting but that's about all. If you want a better Bow movie, stick with WING (1927)--it's so much better.

The youthful beauty, energy and unique charm of the "it" girl were never more evident than in this, her signature film. The plot may be simplistic and the dialog dated, but those are, after all, endearing qualities for most silent film buffs. The rest of the cast [including Gary Cooper in a brief scene] are serviceable and amusing, but everyone else is merely window dressing for Miss Bow's star turn.

If you're not already a fan of silent films, viewing the lighthearted "IT" may introduce you to a new form of enjoyment. For ardent fans of Clara Bow, "IT" is a classic

Clara Bow has "it"... that natural beauty and style that is destined to make a man fall for her. Though some of the issues of class and "respectability" have changed over the years, "It" follows the same familiar formula that romantic comedies still follow today. What won over audiences in 1927 and will still win them over today is Clara Bow. Of the great starlets of the silent era, Clara was the most charming. Fans of the 2012 Oscar winner "The Artist" will likely recognize Clara Bow as the main influence of Berenice Bejo's Peppy Miller. "It" is a nice piece of easy entertainment that is still enjoyable in today's era of sound and color.

This movie is all about Clara Bow. Although I did laugh at William Austin's performance as "Monty". So very silly.

But back to Clara! What charisma did she have - innocent but mischieveous at the same time. Funny, but sexy.

The moodswings in the story and her character are a bit strange, they sometimes seem to kind of come from nowhere. It is a fun movie, but not necessarily a classic. The story is what it is. But worth it for Miss Bow alone, which is I'm sure the reason most people will want to see this more than 90 years after it was released.

I've recently taken to watching some of the old silent films. I've noticed that most of them, including this one, have one thing in common. I mean besides being silent.

They tend to start off with a bang, and end with a bang, but often plod in the middle. Not a lot, but the middle is where it's usually slow. This could have a lot to do with the old popcorn and soda time in old theaters.

This story is more about the performances than the story itself. Hard to believe, but many of the old silents had very great acting talents. They're able to use expressions and bodies to emote, and I have to be frank, they do it much better than most modern actors, and infinitely better than almost all modern actresses.

This story is basically about "It", which is a mythical quality that makes the opposite sex helpless to you. The supporting character, Monty, who is a tremendous comic talent here, is the vehicle for endorsing "It".

We get a love story in the meanwhile, and that bogs the story down a bit in the middle. It begins with Monty's great comedy, and ends with some great comedy and romance. Along the way, all the performers give a great show.

This is more "stage presentation" in that regard, in giving us performance and style, but we also get some nice scenery, particularly on the boat.

This is easily one of my favorite films from the silent era. The story itself is a fun, little, romantic tale. What's great about the movie, though, is watching Clara Bow's performance. She's fantastic to watch, and truly lights up the screen any time she's shown. Also fun to watch for is Gary Cooper in a very early cameo as a reporter. This movie looks great on the DVD, which also features the enjoyable documentary, "Clara Bow: Discovering the It Girl". Highly recommended.

IT (Paramount, 1927), a Clarence Badger and Elinor Glyn production, directed by Clarence Badger, stars silent screen legend Clara Bow(1905-1965) in her most famous movie that has forever personified her as "The 'It' Girl." And what is IT? Well, not the terror from beyond space. The single pronoun is best described by its author, Madame Elinor Glyn, in its opening passage following the opening credits: "IT is that quality possessed by someone which draws all others with the magnetic force. With IT, you win all men if you are a woman - and all women if you are man. IT can be a quality of the mind as well as a physical attraction." With Clara Bow in the picture and based on her current character roles, it's no doubt a physical attraction for her latest leading man, that being Antonio Moreno.

The story of IT opens at Waltham's, the world's largest store. Cyrus T. Waltham (Antonio Moreno) is first introduced as the new boss of the department store establishment, which has been turned over to him by his father while away in Herrin, Illinois. He's soon congratulated by his closest friend, Monty Montgomery (William Austin). As they tour the store for inspection with other business associates, Betty Lou Spence (Clara Bow), salesgirl in the lingerie department, immediately becomes attracted to her new boss. She does her best to be noticed by him, unaware at the time that he's engaged to Adele Van Norman (Jacqueline Gadsdon), a society girl he has known for many years. Learning that Mr. Waltham is going to be at a social function at the Ritz, Betty influences Monty to be her escort there. While at the gathering, Waltham has the pleasure in meeting and talking to Elinor Glyn, author of her latest magazine story, IT, which she describes as "self-confidence and indifference as to when you are pleasing or not." Before the night is over, Waltham finally notices Betty, much to the dismay of Adele. He's even more surprised the next morning to find the stunning girl works in his store. After an evening together at Coney Island, the two find themselves physically attracted. As things begin looking brighter between boss and employee, complications arise when Waltham is lead to believe Betty to be a single mother with an infant son, when in reality shares her tenement apartment in the poor district of Nolan Street with Molly (Priscilla Bonner), a woman bearing that distinction. With Waltham now acting indifferently towards her, does this mean Betty won't be entitled to her bonus check?

With Clara Bow having a long range of screen credits dating back to 1922s DOWN TO THE SEA IN SHIPS (1922) where she took support under forgotten marque names of Marguerite Courtot and Raymond McKee, no other movie title personifies her best as the one called IT. It may not be her very best film, but her most famous of movie titles. Based on the material presented, IT can be classified as typical Bow formula, poor working girl meets society man. Her character of Betty Lou may be a flirt with the men, but kind-hearted and caring when it comes to helping a friend like Molly. Little is described about Molly except that she's a single mother in need of a friend during her time of need. Antonio Moreno, who sometimes resembles fellow actor, Warner Baxter, in certain scenes, is best described as strong and serious-minded businessman, but weak when it comes to women, especially the flirtatious young flapper. William Austin offers some good comical moments in the Edward Everett Horton manor. Others in the cast include Julia Swayne Gordon (Adele's Mother) and Lloyd Corrigan. Look quickly for a young Gary Cooper, in a minor role as a News Dispatch reporter in a scene involving Bow and a couple of unruly old social workers. It would be his next film, WINGS (Paramount, 1927), also starring Bow, that helped elevate Cooper to popular leading man status along with two Academy Awards in the distant future.

For years, IT have been available through prints from the Paul Killiam FIlm Collection with fine piano scoring by William Perry first presented to public television around the 1980s along with distribution to home video from Blackhawk Films and years later, Kino Video in both VHS and DVD formats. Cable television broadcast history consists of Arts and Entertainment (1987-88, with commercial interruption); American Movie Classics (1997) and Turner Classic Movies. Turner initially presented the 70 minute Killiam copy of IT since 1995. It wasn't until around 2003 when TCM began using prints of IT from the Thames Collection with orchestral scoring by Carl Davis. On a personal level, I very much prefer the one with the William Perry piano score.

While there's enough IT to go around, ranging from cameo by its author (Glyn) to the gathering on a cruise ship called ITOLA, there's no IT more satisfying than the 'It' girl herself, Clara Bow. Without her, IT would have banished to obscurity along with many long forgotten silent films of the past featuring many great names of the past, including Clara Bow herself. (***)

To be swept away by 'It' you must firstly agree with the premise - that some people possess a mysterious quality of attraction others lack - and secondly agree with their casting choices of those who posses it - Clara Bow and Antonio Moreno.

In my case, I only partially agree with both. I do believe some people possess a mysterious quality of attraction, but the casting and scripting choices of the film don't suit my definition. The films definition is mostly concerned with sex appeal, whereas my definition would include not just beauty but character, and in that sense, I found myself more attracted to Jacqueline Gadsdon than Clara Bow, the scorned woman who at the end is described in a title card as 'It- less'. Where Bow is wild, she is reserved; and where Bow plays silly little games, she is modest and graceful. In my opinion she, as with most of the women who appear in this film, is also very beautiful, which means they all tick the first box in the law of attraction. Bow however, for mine, does not tick the second, so I find myself agreeing with the films premise that 'It' exists, but not believing I truly experienced it while watching the film. So annoying were they that I could have cared less whether Bow and Moreno ended up together or not, though I certainly felt sympathy for Gadsdon. Maybe if Gadsdon had cut off half her top to reveal her bra the way Bow did more people might think the way I do.

I can see most people in the comments are smitten with Bow however, and if that's so you'll likely enjoy this as much as them. In terms of its pacing, variety of shots and various camera moves, the film feels modern and is easy to watch. And while it feels like a light piece of trivial fluff, the shallowest of romantic comedies, it is actually quite poignant in highlighting how relationships can be based on such stuff: Once a physical attraction applies, reason and the need for depth can fly out the window. Unfortunately however the various twists and turns of the plot slowly become ridiculous, and it feels much more like a studio ploy for profit than anything worthy of the tag 'classic' as some have given it. The amusement park scenes were fun though and the highlight of the film for mine.

I will leave it to the female reviewers to decide whether Antonio Moreno also had 'It'. Given no one ever seems to comment on the male side of things, I can only imagine the appeal of this film rests solely on Clara Bow, meaning it is one for die hard fans of hers only.