Going Hollywood (1933)

Director:

Raoul Walsh

Writer:

Donald Ogden Stewart (screenplay)

Release Date:

22 December 1933 (USA)

Genre:

Musical | Romance

Plot:

Sylvia is the French teacher at Briarcroft's School for Girls, but she wants to find romance. When she hears Bill on the radio...

Plot Keywords:

Hollywood | French | Racial Impersonation | Radio Broadcasting | Drunkenness

Cast

Marion Davies	...	Sylvia Bruce
Bing Crosby	...	Bill 'Billy' Williams
Fifi D'Orsay	...	Lili Yvonne
Stuart Erwin	...	Ernest Pratt Baker, Picture Producer
Ned Sparks	...	Mr. Bert Conroy, Director
Patsy Kelly	...	Jill Barker
Bobby Watson	...	Jack Thompson, the Press Agent
Three Radio Rogues	...	Group Performing Imitations
rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Henry Armetta	...	Undetermined Role (scenes deleted)

Also Known As:

Cinderella's Fella (Australia)
Paid to Laugh (USA) (working title)
Paid to Love (USA) (working title)

Runtime:

78 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono (Western Electric Sound System)

Certification:

USA:Passed

Company:

Cosmopolitan Productions

Trivia:

Marion Davies requested Bing Crosby as her co-star, but William Randolph Hearst, the financial backer of Cosmopolitan Productions, refused because he did not like Crosby's singing style. Composer Arthur Freed, however, convinced Hearst that Crosby would be good for Davies' sagging career. Davies also requested Fifi D'Orsay be cast as "Lili", and Hearst agreed despite his wish to cast Lili Damita in that role.

Quotes:

Bill 'Billy' Williams: [singing] Out where they say, "Let us be gay," I'm goin' Hollywood. I'll ballyhoo greetings to you, I'm goin' Hollywood. Hey, while you sleepyheads are in that hay, I'll be dancing - I'm gonna be dancing with a sun-kissed baby. And I'm on my way - here's my beret, I'm going Hollywood!

Movie Connections:

Featured in Hollywoodism: Jews, Movies and the American Dream (1998) (TV)

Soundtrack:

After Sundown

Going Hollywood belongs to Bing Crosby

Sylvia Bruce (Marion Davies) is a bored French teacher but after hearing the melodious sounds of the famous Bill Williams (Bing Crosby) on the radio, she is so inspired she leaves her job and seeks her dream.

Going Hollywood is a rather odd movie as there is the disturbing fact that Marion Davies' character is practically a stalker who insists that their love is meant to be. I can usually accept the fact that it's just a movie - it doesn't have to be realistic, but I just felt her character was a bit of a nut case. I hate to say it but Davies is most unconvincing and it is almost painful to see her scenes. I was disappointed to see this because she was magnificent in silents. That being said, Marion is undoubtedly gorgeous and has a few good moments (and she's not a bad dancer too)... but not nearly enough as there should be.

It is evident that Bing Crosby and the music are the real stars of this picture. He steals every scene from Davies with effortless delivery. The music - especially "Temptation", "Going Hollywood" and "Beautiful Girl" are absolutely delightful little tunes and make the movie well worth watching.

Overall, a bizarre and often tedious movie and Davies isn't at her best. However handsome crooner Bing Crosby and the fantastic music by Arthur Freed and Herb Brown steal the show and make it watchable. Does not compare to the other musicals of this period.