Kiki (film)

Infobox Film
name = Kiki


image_size = 200px
caption = Theatrical poster
director = Sam Taylor
producer = Joseph Schneck
writer = Sam Taylor (an adaptation from stage play by David Belasco)
starring = Mary Pickford
Reginald Denny
music = Alfred Newman
cinematography = Karl Struss
choreography = Busby Berkeley
settings = William Cameron Menzies
distributor = United Artists
released = 1931
runtime = 84 minutes
country = USA
language = English
preceded_by = The Taming of the Shrew
followed_by = Secrets (film)

"Kiki" is a 1931 romantic comedy starring Mary Pickford and Reginald Denny, directed by Sam Taylor. The film is a remake of the 1926 version starring Norma Talmadge.

Plot

Kiki (Mary Pickford) is a hapless French chorus girl who has just been fired from her job. She doesn't accept it and goes to see producer Victor Randall (Reginald Denny). He, however, is really busy and is annoyed by her presence. To get her out of his office, he promises her job back. Before she leaves, she drops her purse and clippings of Victor shaped in hearts fall out. It becomes clear Kiki is secretly in love with him.

When the next show becomes a disaster because of Kiki, she is again fired. She goes complaining at Victor Randall's office for the second time. He is now charmed by her and invites Kiki to his apartment. There, she notices a photo of his ex-wife Paulette Vaile (Margaret Livingston). He kisses her, but she is insulted and slaps him. She hides in another room and makes clear she feels used and thinks Victor is still not over Paulette.

She eventually falls asleep in the room and finds a letter from Paulette the next morning. Although it's for Victor, she reads it. It says she is sorry about last night and wants to make up with Victor. Kiki becomes jealous and ruins the letter. Meanwhile, the servants are irritated by Kiki and try to get her out of Victor's apartment. Victor confronts her when the servants inform him Kiki has stolen a few of Paulette's letters. He eventtually finds the letters and reads them.

Victor and Kiki have a conversation and flirt for the first time. Kiki becomes angry when Victor receives a phone call from Paulette and answers it. Paulette later visits Victor's apartment. Kiki is outraged and tells Paulette she is in love with Victor and intends to marry him. Victor catches Kiki intimidating and scaring Paulette and orders her to get out.

Victor and Paulette fall in love with each other again, but they find out Kiki hasn't left the apartment. Kiki pretends to be unconscious. Victor puts her in bed to rest and Kiki kisses him. He tells Paulette he can't leave Kiki alone. Paulette feels betrayed and leaves him. Victor and Kiki finally fall in love and kiss.

Cast

* Mary Pickford as Kiki
* Reginald Denny as Victor Randall
* Joseph Cawthord as Rapp
* Margaret Livingston as Paulette Vaile
* Phil Tead as Eddie
* Fred Walton as Bunson
* Edwin Maxwell as Dr. Smiley
* Blue Washington as elevator attendant (uncredited)
* Betty Grable as chorus member(uncredited)
* Dorothy White as chorus member (uncredited)
* George Davis
* Edmond Mortimer
* E. Alyn Warren

Release

The film was released in 1931. Though the movie critics praised the movie, the Mary Pickford fans thought it was awful. It eventually become a flop in the box office. [ [http://movies.nytimes.com/movie/97692/Kiki/overview The New York Times Review] ]

It has not yet been issued on DVD.

References

External links

*imdb title|id=0022026|title=Kiki (1931)