Show of Shows (1929): cast, story & where to watch
1929 · Film · ★ 5
Released in 1929, Show of Shows is a music film directed by John G. Adolfi, running about 128 minutes.
What it’s about. Now hear this. The studio that gave the cinema its voice offered 1929 audiences a chance to see and hear multiple silent-screen favorites for the first time in a gaudy, grandiose music-comedy-novelty revue that also included Talkie stars, Broadway luminaries and of course, Rin-Tin-Tin. Frank Fay hosts a jamboree that, among its 70+ stars, features bicyclers, boxing champ Georges Carpentier, chorines in terpsichore kickery, sister acts, Myrna Loy in two-strip Technicolor as an exotic Far East beauty, John Barrymore in a Shakespearean soliloquy (adding an on-screen voice to his legendary profile for the first time) and Winnie Lightner famously warbling the joys of Singing in the Bathtub. Watch, rinse, repeat!
Who’s in it. Show of Shows stars Frank Fay as Master of Ceremonies, Lloyd Hamilton as Hansom Cabby in "What Became of the Floradora Boys" number" / (segment "Recitations") / Soldier (segment "Rifle Execution"), Lupino Lane as Street Cleaner in 'What Became of the Floradora Boys' Number / 'Tramp' Ballet and Ben Turpin as Waiter in 'What Became of the Floradora Boys' Number, among others.
How it landed. With an audience score of 5.0/10, Show of Shows has proved divisive with audiences.
Where to watch. Streaming options change often. See the full, country-by-country breakdown on our where to watch Show of Shows page.
If you liked it. Fans of Show of Shows tend to enjoy Whiplash, Coco, Green Book and The Legend of 1900.
Frequently asked
- Where can I watch Show of Shows (1929)?
- Streaming, rental and purchase options for Show of Shows change frequently. Check our where-to-watch page for the latest availability in your country.
- Is Show of Shows worth watching?
- Show of Shows holds an audience score of 5.0 out of 10, and is a strong pick if you enjoy music. Reactions are mixed, so it may depend on taste.
- Who stars in Show of Shows?
- Show of Shows stars Frank Fay, Lloyd Hamilton, Lupino Lane, Ben Turpin and Sally O'Neil.
- When was Show of Shows released?
- Show of Shows was released in 1929, with a runtime of about 128 minutes.