THE GREAT GABBO is one of the earliest talkies and it certains makes the most of that opportunity for sound, featuring as it does an excellent turn from Erich von Stroheim a the thoroughly sinister and out-of-his-mind ventriloquist who has an unhealthy relationship with his own dummy. The film's background of musical extravaganzas and innocent chorus girls is bright and cheerful in itself, but it's von Stroheim who makes this work; the 'living doll' sub-plot would go on to be reworked to great success in the likes of DEAD OF NIGHT, DEVIL-DOLL and MAGIC.
Review of The Great Gabbo
