Kiki (1926)

User Rating:

7.9/10   

Director:

Clarence Brown

Writers:

Hanns Kräly (writer)
André Picard (play)

Release Date:

4 April 1926 (USA)

Genre:

Comedy

Plot Keywords:

Based On Play | Character Name In Title

Cast

Norma Talmadge	...	Kiki
Ronald Colman	...	Victor Renal
Gertrude Astor	...	Paulette
Marc McDermott	...	Baron Rapp
George K. Arthur	...	Adolphe
William Orlamond	...	Brule
Erwin Connelly	...	Joly
Frankie Darro	...	Pierre
Mack Swain	...	Pastryman

Also Known As:

Kiki (Austria) (Germany) [de]
Kiki (Spain) [es]
Kiki (Greece) [el]

Runtime:

108 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Sound Mix:

Silent

Company:

Norma Talmadge Film Corporation

Movie Connections:

Remade as Kiki (1931)

Norma Does Comedy

Norma Talmadge, an actress who usually performed in melodrama during the 1910's and 1920's, displays her gift for comedy in "Kiki" (1926), a gift usually seen more often in the performances of her kooky sister Connie Talmadge ("Intolerance", "The Primitive Lover"). But Norma was a pro and could carry comedy off just as well as her sister (for example see Norma also in "The Social Secretary" (1916) for some witty moments).

"Kiki" starts off rather slowly and at first you are not sure you are going to like her character. She's a street kid who seems incredibly dumb, who lives alone but desires to get into the chorus line of a local show. Here she falls in love with incredibly handsome Ronald Colman, a tenor, and though she loves him instantly she puts off his advances by being silly and uncooperative. Through some really funny physical comedy the two eventually come together. Best part of the film is when Kiki pretends to be in a catatonic state just to be able to stay near her love. I was howling with laughter.

Kiki is definitely a worthwhile film to see if you are intrigued with the Talmadge Sisters. Too few of their films survive, but what does showcases enormous talent that should not be forgotten.