Star Dust

Director: Walter Lang Walter Lang

Overview

Seventeen-year-old Linda Darnell received her first big break in the appropriately titled 20th Century Fox production Star Dust. Discovered by talent scout Thomas Brooke (Roland Young), teenager Carolyn Sayres (Darnell) is brought to Hollywood, where she is turned down for a contract because she is considered too young. Down but not out, Carolyn falls in love with studio contractee Bud Borden (John Payne), who promises to help her achieve her career goals. Teaming up with Brooke, Borden succeeds in winning a screen test for Carolyn, and the rest is gravy. As can be seen, Star Dust draws most of its inspiration from Linda Darnell's real-life rise to fame, which gives the clichéd screenplay a bit of added depth and humanity. It's also amusing to watch William Gargan, cast as studio executive Dane Wharton, perform a devastating (albeit affectionate) take-off of 20th Century Fox head man Darryl F. Zanuck, right down to DFZ's habit of swinging a polo mallet during story conferences.

Product Details

Release Date:	04/22/2014
UPC:	0024543934721
Original Release:	1940
Rating:	NR
Source:	ALLIED VAUGHN
Presentation:	[B&W]
Sound:	[Dolby Digital Stereo]
Language:	English
Time:	1:25:00
Sales rank:	45,563

Cast & Crew

Performance Credits

Linda Darnell	Carolyn Sayres
John Payne	Ambrose Fillmore / Bud Borden
Roland Young	Thomas Brooke
Charlotte Greenwood	Lola Langdon
William Gargan	Dane Wharton
Mary Beth Hughes	June Lawrence
Mary Healy	Mary Andrews
Donald Meek	Sam Wellman
Harry Green	Bird Man
Jessie Ralph	Miss Parker
Walter Kingsford	Napoleon
George Montgomery	Ronnie
Robert Lowery	Bell Boy
Hal K. Dawson	Wellman's Assistant
Jo Gilbert	Swedish Maid,Swedish Maid
Gary Breckner	Announcer
Paul Hurst	Lab Man
Irving Bacon	Clerk
Billy Wayne	Cameraman
Fern Emmett	Secretary
Tom Dugan	Bus Driver
Lynne Roberts	Girl
Mantan Moreland	Waiter
Joan Leslie	College Girl
Frank Coghlan Jr.	Telegraph Boy
Philip Morris	Coach
Sid Grauman	Himself
Elyse Knox	Bit Girl
Kay Griffith	Stenographer

Technical Credits

Walter Lang	Director
Kenneth MacGowan	Producer

Scene Index

Disc #1 -- Star Dust
1. Chapter 1 [10:00]
2. Chapter 2 [10:00]
3. Chapter 3 [9:59]
4. Chapter 4 [10:00]
5. Chapter 5 [9:59]
6. Chapter 6 [9:59]
7. Chapter 7 [10:00]
8. Chapter 8 [9:59]
9. Chapter 9 [5:25]

Menu

Disc #1 -- Star Dust
   Play Movie
   Chapters

Editorial Reviews

Star Dust has some delightful star power in it, and that's a very good thing; otherwise, this slight and insignificant little backstager would hardly be worth the trouble. Oh, it's innocuous and pleasant, but it's got one of those screenplays that you feel wasn't so much written as put together -- a little bit from this movie about Hollywood, a little from that one, throw in some common complications, then run it through the "Dialogue 101" machine and see what comes out. In such circumstances, it's up to the cast, director, and production to save the day. Well, the production is quite serviceable, with sets and costumes that are more than adequate but still less than stellar. Director Walter Lang is a pro, and he provides very efficient, diverting direction -- he knows how to keep things moving and to do everything he can to highlight his cast. That cast, fortunately, does not disappoint. A very young Linda Darnell is unearthly in her loveliness; always a true beauty, she looks stunning and also gets to play a more innocent type than she would later become known for. Her youthfulness and freshness are quite welcome. John Payne is also strong, surprisingly so; it's a nothing part, but he comes across very well in it. Mary Healy scores with her beautiful voice, and Charlotte Greenwood is a delight as the motherly drama coach. William Gargan also deserves credit for his amusing Zanuck imitation.

All Movie Guide - Craig Butler