Hollywood Cavalcade (1939)

Starting in 1913 movie director Connors discovers singer Molly Adair. As she becomes a star she marries an actor, so Connors fires them. She asks for him as director of her next film. Many silent stars shown making the transition to sound.

Director:

Irving Cummings

Writers:

Ernest Pascal (screenplay), Hilary Lynn (story),

Stars:

Alice Faye, Don Ameche, J. Edward Bromberg

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Alice Faye	...	Molly Adair
Don Ameche	...	Michael Linnett Connors
J. Edward Bromberg	...	Dave Spingold
Alan Curtis	...	Nicky Hayden
Stuart Erwin	...	Pete Tinney
Jed Prouty	...	Chief of Police
Buster Keaton	...	Buster Keaton
Donald Meek	...	Lyle P. Stout
George Givot	...	Englishman
Al Jolson	...	Al Jolson-Recreation of Jazz Singer Scene (as Mr. Al Jolson)
Eddie Collins	...	Keystone Cop
Hank Mann	...	Keystone Cop
Heinie Conklin	...	Keystone Cop
James Finlayson	...	Keystone Cop
Chick Chandler	...	Assistant Director

Storyline

Michael Linnett Connors takes Molly Adair from Broadway understudy to 1913 Hollywood star. Although she is in love with him, she marries her co-star reckoning wrongly Connors thinks of her only in terms of movies. He fires her in pique, apparently terminally damaging his career.

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Plot Keywords:

actor | contract | motion picture | car accident | broadway manhattan new york city | 

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Genres:

Comedy | Drama | History

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Certificate:

Approved

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

13 October 1939 (USA)

Also Known As:

Assim Nasceu o Cinema

Filming Locations:

20th Century Fox Studios - 10201 Pico Blvd., Century City, Los Angeles, California, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$2,000,000 (estimated)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Twentieth Century Fox Film Corporation

Technical Specs

Runtime:

97 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (Western Electric Mirrophonic Recording)

Color:

Black and White Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

This was the first film which combined black-and-white and color film stocks.

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Connections

Featured in Buster Keaton: A Hard Act to Follow (1987)

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Soundtracks

"Happy Birthday to You"
(1893)
Written by Mildred J. Hill and Patty S. Hill
Played at the anniversary party
Sung by the guests with modified lyrics ("Happy Anniversary To You")

User Reviews

Okay Fox film

"Hollywood Cavalcade" is a mildly entertaining 1939 film starring two staples of the 20th Century Fox roster, Don Ameche and Alice Faye, and containing a couple of in jokes.

The film concerns a Max Sennett type, Michael Connors (Ameche) who brings an actress to Hollywood, Molly Adair (Faye) and makes her a big silent comedienne, eventually moving her into more dramatic roles. He becomes extremely successful with her as his star. Obsessed with his work, he's absolutely shocked when she and her leading man (Alan Curtis) run off and get married. He's so shocked, he dumps her. She and her husband go off and continue to be more and more popular while Connors' studio starts losing money at an alarming rate. Before you know it, he's through. Molly wants to help and asks that Connors direct her next film.

There's lots of Keystone Kop type footage, which is quite funny, and some fantastic slapstick by Buster Keaton, who is wonderful. The film also has a scene from "The Jazz Singer" when the talkies take over. The in-joke, of course, has to do with Rin Tin-Tin, for whom Zanuck used to write. In one scene, Rinny's trainer brings him in as a potential contract player for Connors' studio. Connors throws both of them out of his office. A few scenes later, Rin-Tin-Tin is shown to be #1 box office. The role of the famous German shepherd in this film is played by Rin Tin-Tin, Jr., daddy having passed away in Jean Harlow's arms in 1932, one month shy of his 14th birthday. Fortune smiled on him even at the end.

Alice Faye is very pretty and does a fine job, as does Ameche, who turns in an energetic performance. J. Edward Bromberg and Stuart Erwin provide very good support.

Unfortunately, this film isn't quite sure what it is - history, comedy, romance, or drama. However, "Hollywood Cavalcade" is still quite watchable.