The glimpses of the behind-the-scenes workings of the Hollywood studio system in this showbiz saga from writer-director Rupert Hughes are fascinating to see (Chaplin and von Stroheim - who brushes his hair before filming a scene - are some of many shown at work) but the director can find no way of integrating them into the plot of heroine Eleanor Boardman's near-accidental rise to movie stardom. In fact, that strand of the plot, which, in the wake of numerous real-life Hollywood scandals, seems to be going out of its way to convince us of just how hard these poor movie stars work, is of less interest than the exploits of Boardman's estranged husband (Lew Cody), a serial killer who marries women for their money. The finale, played out against a raging Big Top fire, has to be seen to be believed.
Review of Souls for Sale
