
For the ventriloquist Gabbo his wooden dummy Otto is the only means of expression. When he starts relying more and more on Otto, he starts going mad.... (Full plot summary below)
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For the ventriloquist Gabbo his wooden dummy Otto is the only means of expression. When he starts relying more and more on Otto, he starts going mad.
Leave your thoughts about The Great Gabbo.
| Classic Film and TelevisionMichael E. GrostSome bizarre musical numbers in the granddaddy of all "strange ventriloquist" chillers. |
| CinePassionFernando F. CroceA laboratory experiment that isolates the Stroheim persona for all it's worth |
| User ReviewMara BThere are at least two reasons to see this fascinating, bizarre early talkie musical 1) Erich von Stroheim in a grandiose yet moving performance and 2) "Web of Love" (originally filmed in early Technicolor and now only extant in black and white) and is one of the weirdest, craziest and most lavish production numbers this side of Ziegfeld. It's a not-too-successful mix of psychological drama and backstage musical, but von Stroheim as the emotionally stunted ventrioloquist makes this something more than a dated curiosity. |
| User ReviewSarah FThe story is somewhat basic by today's standards, but as a musical and psychological drama it's a masterpiece of early cinema when there was no blueprint for this type of thing. |