Hollywood Hotel (1937)

35% of users liked it
(98 ratings)

In this lighthearted musical comedy from legendary director Busby Berkeley, Henry Bowers (Dick Powell) is a saxophonist in a jazz band who wins a talent contest. His prize is a ten-week contract with a movie studio, Miracle Pictures (whose slogan is "If it's a good picture, it's a Miracle"). One of… More In this lighthearted musical comedy from legendary director Busby Berkeley, Henry Bowers (Dick Powell) is a saxophonist in a jazz band who wins a talent contest. His prize is a ten-week contract with a movie studio, Miracle Pictures (whose slogan is "If it's a good picture, it's a Miracle"). One of his first "assignments" is to escort lovely starlet Mona Marshall (Lola Lane) to a movie premiere, but while Henry is looking forward to his date with a movie star, he's disappointed to discover that Virginia has opted not to go at the last minute, instead sending her lookalike stand-in, Virginia Stanton (Rosemary Lane). Henry is more than a bit miffed at this, but when he appears on Louella Parsons' radio show, he's a big hit and rockets to stardom. Ronald Reagan has a bit part as a radio announcer (which he did full time before acting and politics began paying the rent for him), and keep an eye peeled for Susan Hayward and Carole Landis in minor roles. By the way, Rosemary Lane and Lola Lane look a great deal alike for a good reason -- they're sisters. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi

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Rating, Runtime: Unrated, 1 hr. 49 min.
Directed By: Busby Berkeley
Genres: Romance, Musical & Performing Arts, Classics

In Theaters: Dec 20, 1937 Wide
On DVD: Sep 16, 2008
Studio: Warner Home Video

Critic Reviews

Dennis Schwartz, Ozus' World Movie Reviews
It's an uneven film, that has a few exciting moments thanks to the lavish sets for the musical numbers and the screwball comedy.

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Featured Audience Ratings

jay n

Silly film is still interesting for some great music it contains as well as the Busby Berkeley touch plus amusing turns from Alan Mowbray, Lola Lane and Glenda Farrell plus the great Frances Langford in fine voice. Louella Parsons is stiff as a board but still one of the few chances… More
Silly film is still interesting for some great music it contains as well as the Busby Berkeley touch plus amusing turns from Alan Mowbray, Lola Lane and Glenda Farrell plus the great Frances Langford in fine voice. Louella Parsons is stiff as a board but still one of the few chances to see her in action.

Cast

            Dick Powell as Henry Bowers

            Rosemary Lane as Virginia Stanton

            Lola Lane as Mona Marshall

            Ted Healy as Fuzzy

            Johnnie Davis as Georgia

            Hugh Herbert as Chester Marshall

            Alan Mowbray as Alexander Dupre

            Frances Langford as Alice Craine

            Glenda Farrell as Jonesie

            Ken Niles as Ken Niles

            Allyn Joslyn as Bernie Walton

            Edgar Kennedy as Callaghan

            Curt Bois as Dress Designer

            Eddie Acuff as Cameraman

            Sarah Edwards as Mrs. Marshall

            Libby Taylor as Cleo

            Paul Irving as Bramwell

            Louella Parsons as Herself

            Mabel Todd as Dot Marshall

            Jerry Cooper as Jerry Cooper

            Duane Thompson as Duane Thompson

            Grant Mitchell as B.L. Faulkner

            Fritz Feld as The Russian

            Perc Westmore as Perc Westmore

            Clinton Rosemond as Colored Man

            Georgia Cooper as Seamstress

            Joseph Romantini as Headwaiter

            Don Barclay as Friend

            Benny Goodman as Benny Goodman

            William B. Davidson as Director Keaton

            Harry James as Harry James

            Susan Hayward as Bit Part

            Robert E. Homans as Hollywood Bowl Watchman

            Carole Landis as Hat Check Girl

            Wally Maher as Assistant Director Drew

            Frances Morris
            
            Jack Mower as Airport Guard

            David Newell
            
            Raymond Paige as Raymond Paige

            Jean Perry as Restaurant Manager

            Ronald Reagan as Radio Announcer

            John Ridgely as Desk Clerk

            Jeffrey Sayre as Co-pilot

            Janet Shaw as Girl

            Gene Krupa as Gene Krupa

            Teddy Wilson as Teddy Wilson

            Betty Farrington as Woman Onlooker

            Jerry Fletcher as Bellboy
See full cast