BEHIND THE MAKE UP (1930) DVD

Behind the Make-up (1930)

Cast: Hal Skelly, William Powell, Fay Wray, Kay Francis.

Directed by: Robert Milton & Dorothy Arzner.

Plot Description:

When Gardoni (William Powell), a down-on-his-luck vaudeville performer, is taken in by a fellow performer Hap Brown (Hal Skelly), who plays a clown in his bicycle riding act. Gardoni shows his appreciation for Hap's help, by stealing the clown's act and his girlfriend (Fay Wray), whom he marries.

This seemingly unknown but brilliant gem is worth the watch for numerous reasons - the biggest draw in this film is the acting performances. For one, it has legendary stage actor Hal Skelly in it. He is mostly remembered today for the stage hit, Burlesque (Sept. 1, 1927 - July, 1928) which also made a Broadway star of Barbara Stanwyck.

The kind of presence and kindness Hal Skelly brings to his role, makes you realize that had he not died in a car-train-crash in 1934 he could have gone on to have done his greatest work on film. Yes, today he is mostly remembered as a stage actor, but he had strength's as a film actor as well - He does not overact, he just is on screen.

The person, who steals this film away, is Mr. William Powell. One has to remember when watching this film that this was before he became a star. It's a minor part, but an important one - He carries a very heavy Italian accent to perfection and it makes you wonder, why he did not do different accents more on the big screen. He seems to have had a good ear!

Fay Wray as Marie is wonderful as the close friend/girlfriend to Hap (Hal Skelly) who is in love with her, and wife to Gardoni (William Powell). I love the ending to the film, when she realizes the kindness and truly wonderful person Hap is. Fay and Skelly's chemistry really works to its advantage in this film. I'm reading Fay Wray's autobiography (will review it as soon as I'm done reading it) and in it, she says this about William Powell, on page 104 when speaking about the film, Pointed Heels:

"He had grace, style, wit, and technique. He was not absolutely handsome, so that he was believable as a leading man or as a villain or whatever role. He was Olympian in the sense that he seemed to have achieved an elegant arrogance. When I see photos of him in splendid profile, I think of how he told me he achieved a taut chin line. 'I start a swallow but do not finish it.' I worked with him again in Behind the make-up."

Finally, we have Kay Francis in a very little part. This was the first of many films she did with William Powell. Their chemistry, already in this film, is quite apparent. Her, as the so-called vamp/femme Fatale is wonderful and she is simply, spot on. Fay Wray in a Telephone interview in 1998 said this about Kay Francis (taken from Kay Francis - A Passionate life and Career, seen on page 51):

"Don't remember much about Behind the make-up. Kay was new to pictures. She was smart, sleek, and had a panther-like beauty. She certainly knew how to wear clothes! Of course, she went on to become a big star at Warners." (Note: Behind the Make-up was a Paramount film, when Kay was still under contract with them - she ended up shifting to Warners)

All in all, an entertaining little Pre-Code that had actors & actresses within it, that I always enjoy watching.