

Paris
Irène Bordoni is cast as Vivienne Rolland, a Parisian chorus girl in love with Massachusetts boy Andrew Sabbot (Jason Robards Sr.) Andrew's snobbish mother Cora (Louise Closser Hale) tries to break up the romance. Jack Buchanan likewise makes his talking-picture debut as Guy Pennell, the leading man in Vivienne's revue. No film elements of Paris are known to exist, although the complete soundtrack survives on Vitaphone disks. The sound tape reels for this film survives at UCLA Film and Television Archive.
Insights
Plot Summary
Amateur artist Mimi (Gloria Swanson) finds herself falling for a charming, yet married, artist named Georges (Carl Brisson) while living in Paris. Mimi struggles to reconcile her love for Georges with the reality of his marital status, leading to a complex emotional journey. The film explores themes of sacrifice, passion, and the consequences of forbidden love in the vibrant setting of 1920s Paris.
Critical Reception
Paris received mixed to positive reviews upon its release, with particular praise directed towards Gloria Swanson's performance and the film's visual style, typical for the era. While some critics found the plot somewhat melodramatic, many acknowledged its effectiveness as a vehicle for Swanson's star power and its opulent production values. The film was considered a moderate success at the box office.
What Reviewers Say
- Gloria Swanson delivers a compelling performance that anchors the film.
- The lavish production and Parisian setting are visually appealing.
- The dramatic storyline, while occasionally melodramatic, effectively conveys emotional turmoil.
Google audience: Information regarding specific Google user reviews for 'Paris (1929)' is not readily available in historical archives.
Fun Fact
This film was one of the last major silent films released before the full transition to 'talkies', showcasing a blend of silent film artistry with elements that hinted at the future of sound cinema.
AI-generated overview · Verify ratings on official sources