Mary leaves Gabbo though that doesn't stop him going on to hit the big time on Broadway within a couple of years. Mary is now with Frank (Donald Douglas) with her own musical act when their paths cross again. Gabbo wants her back but it is quite clear that Gabbo's grip on reality is fairly slender and soon the chasm looms large when he finds he can't get Mary, that she prefers Otto to him. His mental collapse is crushing.
Von Stroheim is brilliant in this film as is Compson. Despite the big musical numbers and glitz of Broadway this is a dark film about mental health, emptiness and loneliness. It was probably quite ahead of it's time. Although wordy this early talkie is a great film.
