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King Vidor's sparkling Hollywood satire — a film about moviemaking that is itself one of the most delightful movies of the silent era. Marion Davies, whose comic talents were often overshadowed by her real-life fame as William Randolph Hearst's mistress, is sensational as Peggy Pepper, a Georgia girl who storms the studio gates determined to be a dramatic actress, only to find unexpected stardom in slapstick comedy. The film is packed with insider gags, cameos by real stars (including Chaplin himself), and a behind-the-scenes look at late-1920s Hollywood that feels affectionate and gently satirical in equal measure. Davies's timing is impeccable, and her chemistry with co-star William Haines crackles. A pure joy from start to finish, and long overdue for wider recognition.