This was much better than I expected it to be, to be honest. Mr. Otter brought it home, and I was dubious, since it had vanished from the theatres like a lead duck in a pond...but you know, it was really good!

In 1924, a bunch of Hollywood types (including Charlie Chaplin, Elinor Glyn, Hearst's mistress Marion Davies, and a young Louella Parsons) get onto Hearst's yacht for a cruise. Much partying is done, many intrigues are intrigued, and many backs are stabbed...and finally producer Thomas Ince dies, which brings the cruise to an end.

Evidently this whole incident was hushed up, and the film intimates that the coroner and judge who investigated the case were bought off or otherwise convinced to let the guilty party off the hook...but of course there is no way to prove anything about what happened.

There are a lot of things going for this film...one of my favorite parts is having Elinor Glyn narrate it, great choice! Several of the actors do a fine job, including Edward Herrman as Hearst, and Kirsten Dunst as a very young-looking Marion Davies (although she was only 27 when this cruise took place). Eddie Izzard (one of the Otter Family Favorites, a truly gifted stand-up comedian) plays Chaplin, and does a pretty darn good job...and Cary Elwes is always fun to watch.

I expected to get bored and walk out on this one, but after about 30 minutes, I was riveted! The period detail, costume and camerawork are good, and seeing all those celebrities be their own nasty selves was a lot of fun. Give this one a try, it's worth it.