In-person: Lara Gabrielle, author, Captain of Her Soul: The Life of Marion Davies.

Admission is free. No advance reservations. Free tickets must be obtained on a first come, first served basis at the box office, where seating will be assigned.

Show People

U.S., 1928

Marion Davies takes center stage in King Vidor’s hilarious send up of Hollywood pretension as Peggy Peppers, a southern ingénue who comes to Hollywood with dreams of drama but stumbles her way into slapstick success. Loosely based on Gloria Swanson’s career trajectory, the story gives Davies ample time to display her talent for impressions even as the whole of MGM’s star stable seems to wander in for cameos including Charlie Chaplin, Douglas Fairbanks and Norma Talmadge, along with Louella Parsons. On Davies’ own turn from drama to comedy, the New York Times reviewer remarked that “Miss Davies can be said to have found her metier.”

35mm, b&w, silent, 63 min. Director: King Vidor. Screenwriter: Agnes Christine Johnston, Laurence Stallings, Wanda Tuchock, Ralph Spence. With: Marion Davies, William Haines, Dell Henderson

Part of: Marion Davies: Captain of Her Soul

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