It (1927)

Silent cinema’s legendary “It Girl,” Clara Bow, earned her title with this star-making romantic comedy. Bow plays Betty Lou, a spirited young shop girl who pines for the handsome owner, Cyrus (Antonio Moreno). The two come from different social classes, so it is up to Betty Lou to win Cyrus with her personal charm and the indefinable quality known as “It.” However, when Betty nobly poses as the mother of her ill roommate’s illegitimate child, Betty finds that Cyrus may not be as great a catch as she thought. This film was a surprise hit upon release and propelled Clara Bow from a relatively unknown newcomer to a silent movie legend. Accompanying the film on the Plaza Theatre’s Wyler Mighty Wurlitzer Pipe Organ is acclaimed theatre organist and longtime Plaza Classic friend Walt Strony. — Jack Fields