Erich von Stroheim in The Great Gabbo as a Ventriloquist

The Great Gabbo is a fascinating psychological drama starring the captivating Erich von Stroheim. One of the most brilliant film directors of all time, von Stroheim was also an arresting actor whose screen presence is rarely rivaled today. In his most wide ranging and complex role, von Stroheim plays a profound but emotionally tortured ventriloquist who uses his dummy Otto to let out his rage. The beautiful and remarkable Betty Compson plays von Stroheim’s assistant who loves him, but has trouble getting past his deeply troubled mind. Compson is excellent, but this film is about von Stroheim and his deterioration into insanity. Powerfully subtle, richly simple, The Great Gabbo is an artistic triumph thanks to the genius of Erich von Stroheim.