A wild jazz-loving and boozing wife Roxie Hart kills her boyfriend in cold blood after he leaves her.A wild jazz-loving and boozing wife Roxie Hart kills her boyfriend in cold blood after he leaves her.A wild jazz-loving and boozing wife Roxie Hart kills her boyfriend in cold blood after he leaves her.
- Awards
- 2 wins
Emily Barrye
- Woman in Cell Reading Book
- (uncredited)
Sidney Bracey
- Bill Collector
- (uncredited)
Robert Brower
- Juror
- (uncredited)
Sidney D'Albrook
- Photographer
- (uncredited)
Jack Dean
- Assistant Prosecutor
- (uncredited)
Robert Dudley
- Insurance Agent
- (uncredited)
Jim Farley
- Detective
- (uncredited)
- Director
- Writers
- All cast & crew
- Production, box office & more at IMDbPro
Storyline
Did you know
- TriviaAlthough Frank Urson is credited as the director, it was widely known (and even publicized) at the time that producer Cecil B. DeMille directed most of the film (including 11 days of re-takes). DeMille took his name off the picture because his Biblical epic, The King of Kings (1927) was also playing in theaters at the time. Reportedly, DeMille's friend, theater owner Sid Grauman, convinced the director that audiences wouldn't want to see an amoral crime drama with an adulterous heroine so soon after seeing DeMille's film about the life of Christ.
- Quotes
William Flynn: Cut the bull! I'm not your husband - I'm your lawyer!
- ConnectionsFeatured in The 79th Annual Academy Awards (2007)
Featured review
"Those who forget History are condemned to repeat it" is the famous quote and perhaps that explains the current movie climate where remakes predominate. As we continue to evolve into a culture of short term gratification and long term memory loss, it's important to rediscover forgotten parts of our cinematic history especially when it's presented in such a way as this. David Shepard and Flicker Alley are to be congratulated yet again for their fine work in bringing to us another film previously thought to be lost.
For those of you not familiar with the award winning Broadway musical or 2002 film version, CHICAGO is based on a 1926 play which tells the story of the trial of Roxie Hart, an adulterous wife who shot her lover after he tried to ditch her. The play isn't about the verdict but how the trial is used to promote almost everyone involved except the long suffering husband. Although played for all its melodramatic possibilities with elements of humor, it sadly shows us that little has changed in 80 years when it comes to sensational journalism.
The film rights were quickly snapped up by Cecil B. De Mille who had his own movie company at this time. It's essentially his movie all the way but he allowed Frank Urson (an assistant director) to take credit because of De Mille's involvement with THE KING OF KINGS which was already in theaters. Phyllis Haver gives a wonderfully manic and comic performance as Roxie Hart while Victor Varconi excels as the betrayed husband, Amos Hart and yes that's gravelly voiced Eugene Pallette minus his voice and later girth as the murdered lover. The print looks as if it were processed yesterday and Rodney Sauer's score is up to his usual fine standards. With the usual Flicker Alley extras, CHICAGO is a must for silent film fans and is an ideal introduction to those who are not...For more reviews visit The Capsule Critic.
For those of you not familiar with the award winning Broadway musical or 2002 film version, CHICAGO is based on a 1926 play which tells the story of the trial of Roxie Hart, an adulterous wife who shot her lover after he tried to ditch her. The play isn't about the verdict but how the trial is used to promote almost everyone involved except the long suffering husband. Although played for all its melodramatic possibilities with elements of humor, it sadly shows us that little has changed in 80 years when it comes to sensational journalism.
The film rights were quickly snapped up by Cecil B. De Mille who had his own movie company at this time. It's essentially his movie all the way but he allowed Frank Urson (an assistant director) to take credit because of De Mille's involvement with THE KING OF KINGS which was already in theaters. Phyllis Haver gives a wonderfully manic and comic performance as Roxie Hart while Victor Varconi excels as the betrayed husband, Amos Hart and yes that's gravelly voiced Eugene Pallette minus his voice and later girth as the murdered lover. The print looks as if it were processed yesterday and Rodney Sauer's score is up to his usual fine standards. With the usual Flicker Alley extras, CHICAGO is a must for silent film fans and is an ideal introduction to those who are not...For more reviews visit The Capsule Critic.
- TheCapsuleCritic
- Jul 8, 2024
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Details
Box office
- Budget
- $264,397 (estimated)
- Runtime1 hour 45 minutes
- Sound mix
- Aspect ratio
- 1.33 : 1
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