Hoopla

Fresh-faced student Richard Cromwell (as Chris Miller) jumps off a train, to join father Preston Foster (as Nifty Miller)'s traveling carnival. Mr. Foster wants his son to stay away from the sleazy side-show folk, and pursue his interest in becoming a lawyer; but, Mr. Cromwell wants to spend some quality time with his dad. With the kid around, Foster must move bed-partner Minna Gombell (as Carrie) to other quarters; so, she slips under the covers with Clara Bow (as Lou). Ms. Gombell doesn't appreciate losing her bed-space to Cromwell; so, she asks Ms. Bow to seduce him. Bow says she doesn't want to be a "cradle robber", but changes her mind for $100.00.

Bow and Cromwell try to make it believable, after her swimming scene (to their credit); but, watching them is like watching Mae West seduce Charles Ray. A re-make of "The Barker" doesn't seem like an inappropriate vehicle; however, "Hoop-la" exploits the plumper Bow's past and (at the time) notoriety. This is precisely the kind of exploitation Bow should have been moving away from, at this point in her career. Not an awful film, all things considered. But not enough for Bow to carry on after all the "Hoop-la". So Bow, born within only two years of Joan Crawford, Greta Garbo, and Katharine Hepburn… sadly, retired.

***** Hoop-la (11/30/33) Frank Lloyd ~ Clara Bow, Richard Cromwell, Preston Foster

The biggest reason to watch "Hoop-La" is to see Clara Bow in her final film...which is amazing as she was only 28 when she made this picture. Is it a great film? Certainly not...but it's also not bad at all and is entertaining despite the clichés.

When the film begins, Nifty (Preston Foster) is upset to see his son has left his studies to come hang out at his father's carnival. The carnival life in this film is quite seedy and Nifty doesn't want his grown son to become a low-life like his friends and coworkers. Unfortunately, he lets the kid stay for a bit...and Lou (Bow) is paid by Nifty's 'girlfriend' to vamp the kid. Amazingly, though, the hard as nails Lou soon finds herself in love with the naive young man. Now what's she to do?!

This film is clearly a Pre-Code picture due to its sensibilities. Stuff is often never said but it's clear Nifty's girl is cohabitating with him and that Lou is a thief and probably a prostitute. Racy like many Pre-Coders...but also vague like many of them as well.

So is it any good? Well, it's fair. The film promotes the old 'Hooker with a heart of gold' myth and is predictable...but it's also entertaining. For fans of Bow, it's worth your time. For others...it's a coin toss.

Carnival manager and barker Preston Foster (Nifty) is going with Minna Gombell (Carrie). When his son Richard Cromwell (Chris) shows up on summer break from law school, Carrie gets the air since Nifty wants to keep his son away from the evil influences of carney life and people. Carrie then pays Clara Bow (Lou) to seduce the son in revenge, but she falls for him.

Nice carney atmosphere but few carnival acts besides Clara Bow's 'Egyptian' dancing. Her costume working the Chicago Worlds Fair midway shows even more of Clara Bow then her nude swim.

This is one of my favorite movies from Clara. She shows her usual yet incredible range of emotions perfectly blended to her character, Lou. Although a beautiful performance by Clara, the movie seems somehow restrained, not being as heart-stirring as some of her silent performances. It is unique, though, in the fact that Clara seems to have shed much of her "IT" girl image that was so evident in her later silent films. All-in-all, a beautiful performance by Miss Bow and a deliciously intriguing story line.

A brazen fairground dancer finds herself falling for the son of the show's manager after accepting $100 to make him fall for her. Clara Bow's final movie sees her give a winning performance, even though her brassy showgirl is no romantic fit for Richard Cromwell's wet-behind-the-ears youth. The movie starts out strongly, but becomes increasingly formulaic as its story unfolds. Worth watching just to see the fat lady being loaded onto the train!