Hollywood Party (1934)

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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… More 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. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

Rating, Runtime: Unrated, 1 hr. 12 min.
Directed By: Roy Rowland
Genres: Musical & Performing Arts, Classics, Comedy

In Theaters: Jun 1, 1934 Wide

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Cast

            Jimmy Durante as Schnarzan the Shouting Conqueror

            Charles Butterworth as Harvey Clemp

            Lupe Velez as Herself/Jaguar Woman

            Polly Moran as Henrietta Clemp

            Frances E. Williams as Herself

            Jack Pearl as Baron Munchausen

            Eddie Quillan as Bob

            June Clyde as Linda the Clemps' Niece

            George Givot as Liondora the Rival Star

            Richard Carle as Knapp Schnarzan's Manager

            Ben Bard as Charley

            Tom Kennedy as Beavers the Doorman

            Harry Barris
            
            Ernie Alexander as Servant at the Party

            Frank Austin as Party Guest

            Billy Bletcher as Big Bad Wolf

            Sidney Bracey
            
            Nora Cecil as Scientific Pedant

            Ray Cooke as Theater Patron

            Muriel Evans as Seated at the Table During Bidding

            Larry Fine as Stooge

            Bess Flowers as Opening Scenes Dress Extra

            Oliver Hardy as Himself

            Irene Hervey as Show Girl

            Ted Healy as Himself

            Tom Herbert as Bartender

            Curly Howard
            
            Moe Howard
            
            Leonid Kinskey as Cab Driver

            Tom London as Paul Revere in Flashback

            Edwin Maxwell as Buddy Goldfard Liondora's Manager

            Jed Prouty as Theater Manager

            Arthur Treacher as Butler

            Clarence H. Wilson
            
            Walt Disney as Mickey Mouse

            Art Jarrett
            
            Stan Laurel as Himself

            Robert Young as Himself

            Baldwin Cooke as Holding the Door for the Scientific Gentlemen
See full cast

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