Who better to play a silent movie comic than Dick Van Dyke? In the 60's, his Bert in "Mary Poppins" and his Professor Potts in "Chitty Chitty Bang Bang" were homages (with sound, song, and dance) to the great silent stars of their day. Even on his legendary TV show, he emulated the great men (Charlie Chaplin, Buster Keaton, Harold Lloyd, Harry Langdon, etc.) who were the creative geniuses behind silent movie comedy. What sadly is missing is a decent script. All of the formula plot developments of real life entertainment bios are present. It starts off fine, with Van Dyke showing up in his vaudeville clown outfit for his film debut, and then being told he needs to change his look. Along comes leading lady Michelle Lee (obviously based on Gloria Swanson in her early days as a bathing beauty, or possibly Mabel Normand) whom Van Dyke ends up marrying. Their marriage is a disaster, thanks to Van Dyke's drinking, carousing and egotism. It's no surprise when she leaves him and asks Van Dyke to allow her second husband to adopt their son.
There are definitely some moments of greatness. The whole funeral set-up is a wise choice, and the scene where Van Dyke doesn't even recognize his own son is heartbreakingly poignant. However, the silent footage doesn't look like silent movies; It looks like the rare black and white films Hollywood was occasionally making during this time, and as a result, its homage to the silent era suffers because of it. Mickey Rooney is wasted as "Cockeye", Van Dyke's pal obviously patterned on Ben Turbin. When Van Dyke's Billy makes a brief comeback (thanks to a hilarious commercial spoof featuring "The Jefferson's" Isabel Sanford), there is so much potential to provide a life lesson for the down-and-out clown, but that doesn't happen. The film simply lumps to an unsatisfying conclusion that includes him about to marry an obvious gold digger with a nagging mama ("The Music Man's" Pert Kelton) and the brief presence of Van Dyke as Billy Jr., an effeminate clothing designer, "Madame Lucinda". Kelton's brief participation is ironic considering her character's daughter is based upon characters she played at RKO in the 1930's. However, the gay reference with Billy Jr. is somewhat offensive and absolutely unnecessary.
Michelle Lee does all she can with her winning smile and bright personality to add some sunshine, but her character is really underdeveloped. More of her would have been nice, especially some sort of conclusion to the long-divorced couple's relationship in their older years. Those looking for a look at Hollywood life in the early days won't get much, and even as a "Sunset Boulevard" rip-off, it comes up short. Van Dyke fans won't be disappointed by his acting though. He is brilliant. It's just too bad he didn't have a better movie to be brilliant in.
There are definitely some moments of greatness. The whole funeral set-up is a wise choice, and the scene where Van Dyke doesn't even recognize his own son is heartbreakingly poignant. However, the silent footage doesn't look like silent movies; It looks like the rare black and white films Hollywood was occasionally making during this time, and as a result, its homage to the silent era suffers because of it. Mickey Rooney is wasted as "Cockeye", Van Dyke's pal obviously patterned on Ben Turbin. When Van Dyke's Billy makes a brief comeback (thanks to a hilarious commercial spoof featuring "The Jefferson's" Isabel Sanford), there is so much potential to provide a life lesson for the down-and-out clown, but that doesn't happen. The film simply lumps to an unsatisfying conclusion that includes him about to marry an obvious gold digger with a nagging mama ("The Music Man's" Pert Kelton) and the brief presence of Van Dyke as Billy Jr., an effeminate clothing designer, "Madame Lucinda". Kelton's brief participation is ironic considering her character's daughter is based upon characters she played at RKO in the 1930's. However, the gay reference with Billy Jr. is somewhat offensive and absolutely unnecessary.
Michelle Lee does all she can with her winning smile and bright personality to add some sunshine, but her character is really underdeveloped. More of her would have been nice, especially some sort of conclusion to the long-divorced couple's relationship in their older years. Those looking for a look at Hollywood life in the early days won't get much, and even as a "Sunset Boulevard" rip-off, it comes up short. Van Dyke fans won't be disappointed by his acting though. He is brilliant. It's just too bad he didn't have a better movie to be brilliant in.