The Goldwyn Follies (1938)

60% of users liked it
(30 ratings)

A longtime admirer of Broadway impresario Flo Ziegfeld, Hollywood producer Sam Goldwyn hoped to emulate the success of The Ziegfeld Follies by producing an annual movie-musical revue. Goldwyn's dream began and ended with 1938's Goldwyn Follies, a film centering on Goldwyn-like movie producer Oliver… More A longtime admirer of Broadway impresario Flo Ziegfeld, Hollywood producer Sam Goldwyn hoped to emulate the success of The Ziegfeld Follies by producing an annual movie-musical revue. Goldwyn's dream began and ended with 1938's Goldwyn Follies, a film centering on Goldwyn-like movie producer Oliver Martin (Adolphe Menjou). It seems that Martin's films haven't been turning a profit lately, and he wants to find out why by eliciting the advice of the average filmgoer. He makes the acquaintance of pretty Hazel Dawes (Andrea Leeds), who tells Martin that the movies suffer from unbelievable storylines, cliched dialogue and wooden acting. Impressed, Martin hires Hazel as "Miss Humanity," allowing her to judge the merits of his latest production and even to select the cast members. Among Hazel's discoveries are singing hash-slinger Danny Beecher (Kenny Baker), opera diva Leona Jerome (Helen Jepson), and prima ballerina Olga Samara (Vera Zorina). Also hoping to appear in Martin's upcoming epic are ventriloquist Edgar Bergan and his wisecracking dummy Charlie McCarthy, and a trio of zany animal trainers who look, sound and act like the Ritz Brothers. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

Rating, Runtime: Unrated, 1 hr. 55 min.
Directed By: George Marshall
Written By: Ben Hecht
Genres: Musical & Performing Arts, Classics, Comedy

In Theaters: Jan 28, 1938 Wide
On DVD: Apr 7, 2009

Critic Reviews

Dennis Schwartz, Ozus' World Movie Reviews
A musical pretense that's meant to satisfy the average joes.

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Cast

            Adolphe Menjou as Oliver Merlin

            The Ritz Brothers [Al Jimmy Harry] as Themselves

            Vera Zorina as Olga Samara

            Kenny Baker as Danny Beecher

            Andrea Leeds as Hazel Dawes

            Helen Jepson as Leona Jerome

            Ella Logan as Clary Wood

            Phil Baker as Michael Day

            Bobby Clark as A. Basil Crane Jr.

            Jerome Cowan as Director

            Nydia Westman as Ada

            Charles Kullmann as Alfredo

            Frank Shields as Assistant Director

            Edgar Bergen as Himself

            American Ballet of the Metrop. Opera
            
            Vivian Austin
            
            George Balanchine
            
            Joseph Crehan as Theater Manager

            Roland Drew as Igor

            Alan Ladd as Auditioning Singer

            Dummy: Charlie McCarthy
            
            Walter Sande as Westinghouse

            Jane Hamilton
            
            Frank Mills as Prop Man

            Marjorie Deanne
            
            Lynne Berkeley
            
            Judith Ford
            
            Gloria Youngblood as Goldwyn Girl
See full cast

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