Editing King Vidor (section)

=== The Marion Davies comedies, 1928–1930 ===

[[Cosmopolitan Pictures]], a subsidiary of M-G-M studios and controlled by influential newspaper magnate [[William Randolph Hearst]], insisted that Vidor direct Marion Davies – Hearst's longtime mistress – in these Cosmopolitan-supervised films, to which Vidor acquiesced. Though not identified as a director of comedies, Vidor filmed three "[[Screwball comedy|"screwball"]]-like comedies that revealed Davies talents with her "drive-you-to-distraction persona".
{{multiple image
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| image1 = King Vidor (director) and actor Marion Davies on the set of The Patsy (1928 film). Davies imitating Gloria Swanson.jpg
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| image2 = King Vidor (director) and actor Marion Davies on the set of The Patsy (1928 film). Davies imitating Lillian Gish.jpg
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| footer = Left image: Davies imitating [[Gloria Swanson]] with King Vidor
<br /> Right image: Davies imitating [[Lillian Gish]], both from the set of ''The Patsy''<ref>Baxter, 1976 p. 36: See here for composite photo of same images + Mae Murray imitation</ref>}}
''[[The Patsy (1928 film)|The Patsy]]'', a comedy of manners, brought [[Marie Dressler]] and [[Dell Henderson]], veterans of [[Mack Sennett]] "[[slapstick]]" era out of retirement to play Davies' farcical upper-class parents. Davies performs a number of amusing celebrity imitations she was known for at social gatherings at [[Hearst Castle|Hearst's San Simeon estate]], including [[Gloria Swanson]], [[Lillian Gish]], [[Pola Negri]] and [[Mae Murray]].<ref>Baxter p, 34: Here for remarks regarding Hearst influence. And p. 36: Composite photo showing Davis impersonating the film stars.<br />Durgnat and Simmon, 1988 p, 87: "...dramatic challenges tended to highlight her limitations...[but] Vidor converted her....into a touchingly resilient screwball comedienne."And p. 90: On Davis' impersonations. And p. 92: "drive you to distraction persona"</ref>
The scenario for ''[[Show People]]'' (1928) was inspired by the glamorous Gloria Swanson, who began her film career in slapstick. Davis' character Peggy Pepper, a mere comic, is elevated to the high-style star Patricia Pepoire. Vidor spoofs his own recently completed ''[[Bardelys the Magnificent]]'' (1926), an over-the-top swashbuckling costume drama featuring romantic icon [[John Gilbert (actor)|John Gilbert]]. Some of the best-known film stars of the silent era appeared in cameos, as well as Vidor himself. ''Show People'' remains the enduring picture of the Vidor–Davies collaborations.
<ref>Baxter 1976 p. 35–36: names of the cameo stars provided. And p. 38: "...Peggy [character] based on Gloria Swanson..."<br />Durgnat and Simmons, 1988 p. 90-91 And p. 92: Vidor's "affable ironies about ''Bardelys the Magnificent''..." And p. 94: On its enduring qualities "...even sixty years later" still a highly engaging film, an "enduring success".</ref>

Vidor's third and final film with Davies was his second sound film (after ''[[Hallelujah (film)|Hallelujah]]'' (1929)): ''[[Not So Dumb]]'' (1930), adapted from the 1921 Broadway comedy ''Dulcy'' by [[George S. Kaufman]]. The limitations of early sound, despite recent innovations, interfered with the continuity of Davies' performance that had enlivened her earlier silent comedies with Vidor.<ref>Durgnat and Simmon, 1988 p, 93 "...his second sound film..." And p. 93: "Davies' charm looks panicky" due to sound necessitated cutting. And p. [[Franklin Pangborn|Pangborn]] has the "funniest bits" <br />Baxter 1976 p. 35 "Not So Dumb reveals Davies' "thin talent""</ref>