Call Her Savage

source: Call Her Savage

Moviecut—Call Her Savage

Any film that contains: 1. Clara Bow and Thelma Todd in a catfight 2. Clara Bow in a tight silk shirt where it's obvious that (A) she's not wearing a bra and (B) the set was cold that morning is an instant classic, no matter how meandering the rest of the film is. Also, after seeing the film, I'm at a loss as to why Clara Bow didn't succeed in talkies. She's a wonderful actress, even when the material veers back and forth between sub-par and bizarre.

I must have had this film at least three years before I finally watched it. Films of the 1930s seem so dated, and I read where Clara Bow was the "It" girl more than anything. However, this film for me was not dated as others have been, and it gave me a nice glimpse of the early 1930s. And as for Clara Bow, I saw her as a very talented dramatic actress. So talented that it is sad her life later went downhill. A very good story and very worthwhile film. I won't drag out my review repeating what others have written, but I suggest to skip any spoiler. Better to see it without knowing what happens. Watch it and you'll be glad you did.

Being a long-time fan of Clara Bow's, I have seen most of her surviving films. By far, this is Clara's best "talkie" performance. She has complete control on her emotions and her character which complete the story-line perfectly. Clara is able to show her amazing range of emotions in this movie and one cannot help but be greatly moved by her performance. All-in-all, a stunning and heart-stirring film--a must for anyone interested in Clara Bow.

CALL HER SAVAGE concerns the tumultuous adventures of a tempestuous, rebellious girl named Nasa Springer (Clara Bow). It is definitely not a film for everyone, as it contains some perverse elements such as a whipping scene. Indeed, CALL HER SAVAGE sometimes approaches high camp, such as in the film's prologue. Despite the film's rambling storyline, however, it is never dull. This is chiefly due to Clara Bow's remarkable performance. CALL HER SAVAGE is proof that the silent star could easily handle talking films, using a low, throaty voice that matches the sensuality of her looks. Bow runs a gamut of emotions from anger to tenderness to elation to self-pity, and always with passionate conviction. Her performance conveys a well-rounded character who elicits the audience's sympathy and always remains credible, even if the scenario sometimes isn't. CALL HER SAVAGE is a must for Clara Bow fans. *** out of ****

Nasa "Dynamite" Springer (Clara Bow) is a free-wheeling, head-strong Texas girl with a violent temper. This film follows her life over the course of many years. Since it's pre-Code it's pretty extreme. The film goes into detail showing her whipping a man, virtually having sex with a dog, having a baby out of wedlock, becoming a prostitute, drug abuse and a really funny cat fight with Thelma Todd. Also there's a sequence in what is pretty obviously a gay bar. The film veers wildly from humor to action to melodrama and feels very uneven. Still it's very short and certainly never dull. Also Bow is excellent in a role which gives her the chance to get as extreme as she wants. This is easily one of the most racy pre-Code pictures out there. It was supposed to be Bow's big box office comeback but the film (for some reason) failed at the box office. Prints are hard to come by but it's out on DVD. If you get a chance watch it. Lots of fun! I give it an 8.

What a film! Daring to tackle issues few films would even look at today. Stunningly photographed and directed, and with greater style than many early talkies. And at its heart is one of the best film performances ever - Clara Bow proves herself to be a magnificent actress in a role that demands she go through every possible emotion. What a loss it was to cinema when she retired, as great a loss as Garbo. Please MOMA get that restored print out on DVD, so that this great classic can be seen in all its glory!

Lurid-but-fascinating tale of wild half-breed Texas heiress has everything in it, including whippings, prostitution, extra-marital affairs, a neglected baby, and singing homosexuals. Pre-Code stunner boasts Clara Bow's great talkie comeback (after a bunch of so-so talkies) and she is WONDERFUL as well as Gorgeous. Playing Nasa Springer, Bow gets to whip a snake and Gilbert Roland, have a cat fight with Thelma Todd, beat Monroe Owsley senseless, smash a guitar over a servant's head, and run wild from Texas to Chicago to New York City. Clara Bow is great in this film. Too bad Bow made only one more film after this one (the underrated Hoopla). Estelle Taylor, Weldon Hayburn, Russell Simpson, Fred Kohler, Dorothy Peterson, Margaret Livingston, Anthony Jowitt, and Mischa Auer co-star. Great line as the father drives up and says "Why are you whipping that man?" Clara Bow answers, "I'm practicing in case I ever get married." Priceless!