Review

Old School reviews by John Nesbitt

Nothing in Clara Bow's upbringing suggests that she would one day become the archetypal 1920s flapper and silent screen sex symbol. Born into poverty to abusive parents living in a Brooklyn tenement, Bow grew up with more than her share of dysfunction. Her mentally ill mother occasionally prostituted herself, locking Clara in the closet when serving clients, and her father allegedly raped her at the age of 15. This undoubtedly contributed to lifelong challenges, which may have led to later bouts of schizophrenia, alcoholism, and drug abuse.

Yet, Clara Bow now transcends most stars of the silent era. After a series of small parts, she reached the pinnacle of popularity in the 1927 film It, based on Elinor Glyn's novel that had designated Bow as the "It Girl." Glyn does a cameo of herself in a dining scene to summarize exactly what "It" is:

"That strange magnetism which attracts both sexes... entirely unself-conscious... full of self-confidence... indifferent to the effect... she is producing and uninfluenced by others."

While modern viewers talk much more openly about sex appeal, back in the twenties most would refer to "It" with knowing "wink, wink ... nudge, nudge" looks and references. And Clara Bow demonstrates "It" definitively as salesgirl Betty Lou Spence, who instantly falls for wealthy Cyrus Waltham Jr. (Antonio Moreno) on first sight. Without Bow, this romantic comedy would lie among the faceless mundane melodramas of the era. She single-handedly transforms the film into a classic that remains enjoyable today.