Hollywood Hotel (Warner Bros.) (1937)

(Review) Dick Powell Star Of Lavish — New Musical Catchy songs, magnificent settings, two famous band organizations, a swiftly paced inside story of Hollywood life, a star-studded cast headed by Dick Powell and Louella O. Parsons, are some of the elements which make up what is apparently going to be the smash-hit musical of the season— “Hollywood Hotel.” It opened yesterday at the Strand Theatre, to the delight of all audiences. Inclusion in the picture of an entire broadcast of the most famous of all air programs—“Hollywood Hotel”—meant adding enormously to the cost of a production already ledgered in astronomical numbers. But the Warner studio took the Mat 104—15¢ DICK POWELL—Currently playing in “Hollywood Hotel” at the Strand. band off the bank roll and went to town. Result is a million dollarplus filmusical which gives the audience double value in the loveliest, laughingest, dizziest, singingest picture of the year. Dick Powell in the best role of his career gives an endearing acting performance—sings tunes that will send millions away whistling "em. Opposite him play two of the famous Lane sisters — Lola as a temperamental movie queen who refuses to appear at a premiere for her producer, and Rosemary as a little unknown waitress who is called in to double socially for the star. A stellar array of laugh-makers are at their rollicking best. Ted | Healy as the freelance photographer who becomes Dick Powell’s manager and Hugh Herbert as the befuddled father of the movie star give inimitable performances. Alan Mowbray playing the handsome ham leading pm does it to any queen’s taste* Mabel Todd, Allyn Joslyn and Johnnie Davies all outdo themselves. Benny Goodman and his famous swing band and Raymond Paige and his orchestra hit the musical high spots. Movie-goers long familiar with the name of Louella O. Parsons as ace movie commentator of America and radio dialers who have heard her emceeing the “Hollywood Hotel” air show from its inception, now have the opportunity to see her on the screen. Cast of Characters Ronnie Bowers Virginia Rosemary Lane Mona Marshall Lola Lane Hugh Herbert Ted Healy Glenda Farrell Johnnie Davis Louella Parsons Alexander Dupre Alan Mowbray Dot Marshall Mabel Todd Frances Langford Jerry Cooper Jerry Cooper Ken Niles Ken Niles Duane Thompson Duane Thompson Bernie Walton Allyn Joslyn B. L. Faulkin Grant Mitchell Callaghan Edgar Kennedy The Russian Fritz Feld Dress Designer Curt Bois Perc Westmore Perc Westmore Cameraman Eddie Acuff Colored Man ......Clinton Rosamond Mrs. Sarah Edwards William Davidson Wally Maher Georgia Cooper Libby Taylor Joe Romantini Paul Irving Raymond Paige and His Orchestra Benny Goodman and His Swing Band Production Staff Director Busby Berkeley Screen Play by Jerry Wald. Maurice Leo, Richard Macauley Original Story by Jerry Wald, Maurice Leo Photography by Charles Rosher, A. S. C. Finale Photographed by George Barnes, A. S. C. Film Editor =~ George Amy Dialogue Director Gene Lewis Music and Lyrics by Dick Whiting, Johnny Mercer Orchestral Arrangements by Ray Heindort Dudley Chambers Leo F. Forbstein Vocal Arrangements by Musical Directot Oliver S. Garretson, David Forrest Orry-Kelly Story Synopsis (Not For Publication) When Ronnie Bowers (Dick Powell) leaves Kansas City to fulfill a movie contract in Hollywood he gets a royal send-off from his pals, Benny Goodman and his swing band, Frances Langford and Johnnie Davis. A small town boy at heart, Ronnie is pretty thrilled by his Hollywood reception. But that doesn’t last long. When Mona Marshall (Lola Lane) gets temperamental, and Ronnie finds a double for her (Rosemary Lane) there are fireworks and he now finds himself without a job. There’s mad merry mix-up during which Ronnie sings for the screen without being seen, then disappears altogether. But Rosemary finds him again and all's well that ends well. Dick Powell (Review) Film Musical Is Based on Hit Radio Program The most lavish and spectacular musical comedy of the 1938 season, “Hollywood Hotel,” a Warner Bros. production starring Dick Powell and featuring a score of so of other songsters and funmakers, had its first local showing today at the Strand Theatre. It is based upon the famous radio program carrying the same name, which has been beloved by air-fans during the past three years. But the film has a well-knit story to serve as the dramatic structure. The film story shows Powell as an obscure crooner who comes to Hollywood looking for a break, and gets involved in no end of unfortunate and humorous complications Mat 108—15c LOLA LANE—Currently playing in “Hollywood Hotel’ at the Strand. before he even gets started on his career. Dick sings half a dozen new hit songs by the clever composing team of Whiting and Mercer, and there is plenty of other music by Benny Goodman and his famous swing band, and Raymond Paige’s wellknown orchestra. There is plenty of dancing, too, directed (as was the whole show) by Busby Berkeley. Those clever sisters, Lola and Rosemary Lane, have the leading feminine roles, with Rosemary as Dick’s romantic interest and Lola as a highly temperamental movie star. Other notables in the cast include Hugh Herbert, Ted Healy, Glenda Farrell, Mabel Todd, Alan Mowbray, Allyn Joslyn, Edgar Kennedy, Frances Langford and Johnnie (“Scat”) Davis. The screenplay was by Jerry Wald, Maurice Leo and Richard Macauley. Louella Parsons, famous drama critic and originator of the “Hollywood Hotel” air show, plays herself in the picture. It’s a grand show, with plenty of music, romance and laughs, with all the added thrill of getting the inside lowdown on how a big air show is put on. The whole family will love “Hollywood Hotel’!