Dispensing with conventional dramatics and star vehicles, and thumbing his nose at Samuel Goldwyn's celebrated prescription, “If you want to send a message, go to Western Union,” King Vidor made this film about an ordinary man who struggles to maintain his ego in the heartless city, and who is ultimately overcome by the forces of anonymity. James Murray--an extra picked by Vidor out of the studio crowd--is featured as John, a store clerk; Eleanor Boardman plays his wife, Mary. Together they combat the big city's infinite little conspiracies against humanity, and nourish each other's belief in “luck” until the death of one of their children shatters their spirit, making them vulnerable to the ravages of the crowd. The Crowd is one of the most important films of the silent era; its visual innovations still astonish viewers, and the relevance of its theme has only increased over 55 years. Vidor's combination of documentary-style footage (shot at New York locations from Coney Island to Niagara Falls) with stylized imagery has prompted comparisons with both Italian neo-realism and German expressionism. Vidor was forced to create several alternate endings (then accused of irresolution); but the hopeful one finally attached does not detract from the singlemindedness of Vidor's vision in this intimate yet powerful film.