JohnHowardReid
Fortunately director Frank Lloyd does not disappoint with his 1933 Hoop-La which turned out to be Clara Bow's final film. She is wonderful. Her performance alone would make the film a must-see, but she receives excellent support from Minna Gombell, Herbert Mundin, Preston Foster, Richard Cromwell and the rest of the side-show folk. Lloyd's skillful direction is not confined to his players, but extends to his creation of atmosphere and realistic effects. Of course Lloyd had a big budget to play around with, and he uses it with both daring and sympathy. Admittedly, the background is no Nightmare Alley, but it's no Shirley Temple kiddie-land either. (Available on an 8/10 LostFlix DVD).
wes-connors
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
stwhite
Very few performers can take an ordinary or above average script and make the movie stand out and make you want to see it again. I think Clara Bow was one of the few actresses that had that ability- not just with this film (and this story arguably centers around the father-son characters, not Clara's), but many of the others throughout her career. Without Clara in the part of Lou, this is just an average pre-Code film that would have been long forgotten (they certainly weren't trying to put anything by the censors in this one- a skinnydipping scene, Clara undressing, and Nifty's girlfriend upset because she can't spend the night with him because he doesn't want his son to know- by 1935 the Hays Office would would not permit any of this on screen). Watching her seduce the naive son of the carnival barker was fun to watch, as was the scene when she gets busted by a cop and a father for conning a ring from another young man. Hoopla does provide an interesting glimpse into carney life and rail travel in the early 1930s. The supporting cast is fine, particularly Richard Cromwell as Nifty, but I think with a little more effort on the writing and direction this could have even better.
Although this may be one her better sound films, I wouldn't rate it at quite at the same level of Clara's best silent films, It and Mantrap, but it's still enjoyable. Clara clearly thrived in the silent environment and some have said that dialogue and the the constraints of the early sound stages restricted the uninhibited It girl. Maybe so, but I would argue that much of that can be attributed to the average material she was given to work with. This actress was capable of much more if she had been cast in better roles throughout her career. According to her biographer, Clara was not enthusiastic about making Hoopla, she just wanted to get it over with so she could fulfill her contract to Fox and retire. Regardless, if you are a Clara fan or just a fan of pre-Code films, odds are you will enjoy this one. I know I did and will watch Clara again and again!
psteier
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.
AD
