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1929·Music·1h 20m
7.0
This early example of the "backstage" musical genre tells the story of Kitty Darling, a fading burlesque star who tries to save her convent-educated daughter April from following in mom's footsteps.
Directed by Rouben Mamoulian
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Cast

Helen Morgan
Helen Morgan
Kitty Darling
Joan Peers
Joan Peers
April Darling
Henry Wadsworth
Henry Wadsworth
Tony
Mack Gray
Mack Gray
Slim's Brother
Dorothy Cumming
Dorothy Cumming
Mother Superior

Crew

Rouben Mamoulian
Rouben Mamoulian
Director
George J. Folsey
George J. Folsey
Director of Photography
Jesse L. Lasky
Jesse L. Lasky
Producer
E.Y. Harburg
E.Y. Harburg
Lyricist

Popular Reviews

11 reviews
Carly Gravley
Carly Gravley
Applause
Rouben Mamoulian crashed on to the Hollywood scene in 1929 with one question: Why?

“Why do these newfangled talkies have to be so stiff and unnatural? Why do I have to sacrifice my creative liberties in the name of coherent audio? Why has the industry seemingly resigned itself to these technical limitations?”

While making Applause, he found the following answers: “They don’t. I don’t. I don’t know why, but they sure as hell shouldn’t.”

That’s Orson Welles-levels of confidence from a debut director and it pays off here. What a treasure.
Rouben Mamoulian crashed on to the Hollywood scene in 1929 with one question: Why?

“Why do these newfangled talkies have to be so stiff and unnatural? Why do I have to sacrifice my creative liberties in the name of coherent audio? Why has the industry seemingly resigned itself to these technical limitations?”

While making Applause, he found the following answers: “They don’t. I don’t. I don’t know why, but they sure as hell shouldn’t.”

That’s Orson Welles-levels of confidence from a debut director and it pays off here. What a treasure.
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Slaw Da Chainsaw
Slaw Da Chainsaw
Applause
Another uninteresting movie that at least has some good music
Another uninteresting movie that at least has some good music
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averie
averie
Applause
old movie about women’s plights and relationships! but woman gets punished by the narrative :/
old movie about women’s plights and relationships! but woman gets punished by the narrative :/
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JB
JBPRO
Applause
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Dante
Dante
Applause
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Applause (1929) | Flick