AllMovie

"Ballyhoo" is an Irish noun that became a verb in the United States, where carnival barking evolved into sensational, showy advertising. As this program shows, Hollywood during the Jazz Age of the 1920s perfected the art of ballyhoo. This is the first installment in the 13-volume American Documents documentary series, which features programs that present United States history in an entertaining, yet well-researched manner. American Documents, Vol. 1: The Age of Ballyhoo is hosted by Hollywood star Gloria Swanson, who achieved her greatest fame and success in the era of silent films. Highlights of this program include archival newsreel footage.