The Crowd (1928 King VIdor)

A timeless classic - the story of an 'ordinary' couple works just as well today as it must have done upon release almost a hundred years ago. Vidor worked on the script from early 1926, then shot the film unhurriedly until the end of 1927 - with a number of alternate endings. It was innovative in the use of hidden cameras on the streets of New York, giving it a very realistic feeling - and the acting's naturalistic as well - none of these grand gestures. In fact James Murray was an extra who Vidor happened to spot and Eleanor Boardman was Mrs Vidor - they're both terrific, e.g. in argument scene involving a cupboard door. It remains funny, well observed, tragic and moving.

John Weaver shared the screenplay credit and Joe Farnham wrote the good titles (in itself an art form - this is where the 'dialogue' takes place).

Wilder borrowed this for The Apartment

Remarkable scenes where the husband is trying to work but the superimposition of the crash that killed his child keeps playing itself over and over in his head. memorable scenes: Christmas Day, train, beach scene, man and son at end.

With Bert Roach, Estelle Clark, Daniel Tomlinson and Dell Henderson.

Photographed by Henry Sharp. I saw a TCM screening which presumably has the good Carl Davis score on  it. An MGM release which doubled its cost at the box office.