Hollywood Party

Hollywood Party

Richard Boleslawski
Hollywood Party

Hollywood Party

Richard Boleslawski

DVD (Full Frame)

$12.99 
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Overview

Hollywood Party was planned as a lavish, star-studded MGM musical titled Hollywood Revue of 1933. Under the less-than-sterling guidance of "kicked upstairs" MGM producer Harry Rapf, production dragged on interminably, using up the talents of five directors (none of whom were credited) and seven writers. The "all star" cast lineup slowly dwindled down to comparatively inexpensive contract players Jimmy Durante and Jack Pearl (radio's Baron Munchhausen) and a passel of non-MGM personalities. The final product wove a goofy story about The Great Schnarzan (Durante), a jungle-movie star whose films are suffering at the box office because his lions are anemic. Schnarzan schemes to purchase several healthy lions from Baron Munchhausen; to get the baron into a bargaining mood, Schnarzan throws a huge Hollywood party in Munchhausen's honor. Liondora (George Givot), Schnarzan's "hated rival," hopes to purchase the Baron's lions for himself, and crashes the party disguised as a Greek Baron. Also figuring into the plot are the members of the Klemp family (Charles Butterworth, Polly Moran and June Clyde), who are filthy rich and thus quite attractive to both Schnarzan and Liondora; poor-but-honest Eddie Quillan, who romances the Klemp's daughter; and Schnarzan's ex-girlfriend Lupe Velez, who shows up at the party in an astonishingly revealing gown for the express purpose of making trouble. In an amusing animated sequence courtesy of Walt Disney, Mickey Mouse introduces the Technicolor musical exploits of "The Hot Chocolate Soldiers." Shortly before the end, Stan Laurel and Oliver Hardy make a welcome appearance as a pair of lion-farm owners who wish to collect a debt from Baron Munchhausen. This segues into the classic egg-breaking sequence involving Stan, Ollie, and Lupe Velez. Now we've reached the 65 minute mark, with no logical ending in sight. Director Allan Dwan, brought into the project at the last minute, took a look at the existing footage and declared "It's a nightmare!" Inspired, Dwan directed a closing sequence which suggested that the whole plot had been dreamed by Jimmy Durante; Durante is wakened from his slumbers by his wife--played by Mrs. Jimmy Durante. Hollywood Party makes no sense at all, but it's a must for comedy lovers and 1930s film buffs. Don't miss that opening number, written by Rodgers and Hart and performed by Frances Williams and a chorus of barely dressed telephone operators; and keep an eye peeled for a lengthy uncredited appearance by the Three Stooges.

Product Details

Release Date: 11/01/2011
UPC: 0883316329467
Original Release: 1934
Source: Warner Archives
Region Code: A
Sound: [monaural]
Language: English
Time: 1:08:00
Sales rank: 38,197

Cast & Crew

Performance Credits
Stan Laurel Himself
Oliver Hardy Himself
Jimmy Durante Schnarzan the Shouting Conqueror
June Clyde Linda, the Clemps' Niece
Lupe Velez Herself/Jaguar Woman
Ted Healy Himself
Frances Williams Herself
Robert Young Himself
Charles Butterworth Harvey Clemp
Polly Moran Henrietta Clemp
Tom Kennedy Beavers the Doorman
Ben Bard Charley
Richard Carle Knapp, Schnarzan's Manager
George Givot Liondora, the Rival Star
Eddie Quillan Bob
Jack Pearl Baron Munchausen
Leonid Kinskey Cab Driver
Tom Herbert Bartender
Tom London Paul Revere, in Flashback
Jed Prouty Theater Manager
Art Jarrett Singer
Harry Barris Singer
Edwin Maxwell Buddy Goldfard, Liondora's Manager
Dick Cramer Scientific Pedant
Clarence Wilson Scientific Pedant,Actor
Nora Cecil Scientific Pedant
Baldwin Cooke Holding the Door for the Scientific Gentlemen,Theater Patron
Bess Flowers Opening Scenes Dress Extra
Muriel Evans Seated at the Table During Bidding
Sidney Bracey Butler
Arthur Treacher Butler
Irene Hervey Show Girl
Frank Austin Party Guest
Ernie Alexander Servant at the Party
Billy Bletcher Big Bad Wolf
Walt Disney Mickey Mouse
Larry Fine Stooge
Curly Howard Actor,Actor

Technical Credits
Richard Boleslawski Director
Howard Dietz Producer,Screenwriter
Allan Dwan Director
Harry Rapf Producer
Roy Rowland Director
Sam Wood Director
George Stevens Director
Edmund Goulding Director
Arthur Kober Screenwriter
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