The Great Gabbo

The Great Gabbo 1929 is an American early sound film musical drama film directed by James Cruze, based on a story The Rival Dummy by Ben Hecht and starring Erich von Stroheim and Betty Compson.

The movie follows brilliant ventriloquist The Great Gabbo Stroheim who, as he spirals down into madness, increasingly uses his dummy Otto as his only means of selfexpressionan artist driven insane by his work.Gabbos gimmick is his astonishing ability to make Otto talkand even singwhile Gabbo himself smokes, drinks and eats. Gabbos girlfriend and assistant Betty Compson loves him, but is driven to another performer Donald Douglas by Gabbos deteriorating personality. ........

Source: Wikipedia