REVIEW: THE KING OF HOLLYWOOD by Paul Stone at White Bear Theatre 15-19 Oct 2024



"Worshipped by millions, forgotten by everyone." ★★★   

Douglas Fairbanks was the original swashbuckling action star of the silent movie era and, alongside his equally famous wife, Mary Pickford, they ruled Hollywood as acting royalty in the 1920's. "The King of Hollywood" captures the essence of Fairbanks’ legacy (alongside Mary Pickford), showcasing their significant impact on early Hollywood e.g. starting the enduring tradition of actors putting their hand and foot prints in wet cement on Sunset Boulevard. Fairbanks was also the inspiration for Batman, introduced the film board certificate rating system still used today but, sadly, as with many silent movie actors, his career and popularity didn't survive the transition from silent movies to talkies.

In this homage to the film legend, Fairbanks is seen in the afterlife entertaining his dinner companion with tales from his life, and what a life! However, the narrative largely unfolds as a monologue, which sometimes makes the anecdotes feel flat rather than engaging. Fairbanks' reflections on his misfortunes, often attributing them to jealousy, comes across as petty and arrogant, making him seem one-dimensional, overshadowing his more complex traits.

Lead actor, Gerardo Caval, similar in looks to the young Fairbanks, offers an energetic portrayal of the star, however, his accent distracts from his performance. Douglas Fairbanks was American, born and raised in Colorado. So, for the sake of historical accuracy, it's an incongruous choice to have someone not doing an American accent in that role.

"The King of Hollywood" is an interesting recounting of the colourful life of a screen legend, but the execution could have been more imaginative. His dining companion turns out to be another Hollywood icon, but it felt like an unnecessary "reveal" that wasn't so much a twist as inevitable, and didn't serve any real purpose. A more balanced dialogue between the two Hollywood giants could have been far more compelling.

Overall, "The King of Hollywood" provides an intriguing overview of a cinematic legend, but it would benefit from a more dynamic and creative approach.

Box Office: The King Of Hollywood | The White Bear Theatre

Starring Gerardo Cabal and Simon Lawrence

Written and Directed by Paul Stone