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The Hollywood Revue of 1929

  • 19291929
  • PassedPassed
  • 2h 10m
IMDb RATING
5.8/10
2.1K
YOUR RATING
The Hollywood Revue of 1929 (1929)
ComedyMusic
An all-star revue featuring MGM contract players.An all-star revue featuring MGM contract players.An all-star revue featuring MGM contract players.
IMDb RATING
5.8/10
2.1K
YOUR RATING
    • Charles Reisner
    • Christy Cabanne(uncredited)
    • Norman Houston(Director, some skits)
    • Al Boasberg(dialogue)
    • Robert E. Hopkins(dialogue)
    • Joseph Farnham(skit)
  • Stars
    • Conrad Nagel
    • Jack Benny
    • John Gilbert
    • Charles Reisner
    • Christy Cabanne(uncredited)
    • Norman Houston(Director, some skits)
    • Al Boasberg(dialogue)
    • Robert E. Hopkins(dialogue)
    • Joseph Farnham(skit)
  • Stars
    • Conrad Nagel
    • Jack Benny
    • John Gilbert
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 50User reviews
    • 12Critic reviews
  • See production, box office & company info
  • See more at IMDbPro
    • Nominated for 1 Oscar

    Photos29

    The Hollywood Revue of 1929 (1929)
    The Hollywood Revue of 1929 (1929)
    Bobbe Brox, Kathlyn Brox, Lorayne Brox, Ann Dvorak, and Brox Sisters in The Hollywood Revue of 1929 (1929)
    Joan Crawford in The Hollywood Revue of 1929 (1929)
    Oliver Hardy and Stan Laurel in The Hollywood Revue of 1929 (1929)
    The Hollywood Revue of 1929 (1929)
    Buster Keaton, Joan Crawford, George K. Arthur, and Marion Davies in The Hollywood Revue of 1929 (1929)
    Bessie Love in The Hollywood Revue of 1929 (1929)
    Conrad Nagel and Anita Page in The Hollywood Revue of 1929 (1929)
    Conrad Nagel and Anita Page in The Hollywood Revue of 1929 (1929)
    Marion Davies in The Hollywood Revue of 1929 (1929)
    Marie Dressler, Cliff Edwards, and Polly Moran in The Hollywood Revue of 1929 (1929)

    Top cast

    Edit
    Conrad Nagel
    Conrad Nagel
    • Conrad Nagel - Master of Ceremonies
    Jack Benny
    Jack Benny
    • Jack Benny - Master of Ceremonies
    John Gilbert
    John Gilbert
    • John Gilbert…
    Norma Shearer
    Norma Shearer
    • Norma Shearer…
    Joan Crawford
    Joan Crawford
    • Joan Crawford
    Bessie Love
    Bessie Love
    • Bessie Love
    Cliff Edwards
    Cliff Edwards
    • Ukelele Ike
    • (as Ukulele Ike)
    Stan Laurel
    Stan Laurel
    • Stan Laurel
    Oliver Hardy
    Oliver Hardy
    • Oliver Hardy
    Anita Page
    Anita Page
    • Anita Page
    Nils Asther
    Nils Asther
    • Nils Asther
    • (scenes deleted)
    Brox Sisters
    Brox Sisters
    • The Brox Sisters
    • (as Brox Sisters - Singing Trio)
    Natova and Company
    • Dance Company
    Marion Davies
    Marion Davies
    • Maron Davies
    William Haines
    William Haines
    • William Haines
    Buster Keaton
    Buster Keaton
    • Buster Keaton…
    Marie Dressler
    Marie Dressler
    • Marie Dressler
    Charles King
    Charles King
    • Charles King
      • Charles Reisner
      • Christy Cabanne(uncredited)
      • Norman Houston(Director, some skits) (uncredited)
      • Al Boasberg(dialogue)
      • Robert E. Hopkins(dialogue)
      • Joseph Farnham(skit) (uncredited)
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      The balcony scene from "Romeo and Juliet" provides the only Technicolor footage in the careers of either Norma Shearer or John Gilbert, as all of their other movies were filmed in black-and-white.
    • Goofs
      After Cliff Edwards' opening number, one of the chorus girls in the background is chatting away with the girl next to her, when a sudden cut appears, and the same girl is now stone still (apparently the director told her in between to stop talking, and pay attention).
    • Quotes

      Romeo: Julie baby, I'm ga-ga about you. No kiddin', honey, your teeth are like pearls, your eyes are like diamonds and your lips - like rubies.

    • Alternate versions
      Some sources list the original running time of "Hollywood Revue of 1929" as 130 minutes. At least two sequences in the original roadshow version are missing from current prints: an opening recitation by the showgirls who are seen posing in the "Hollywood Revue" sign after the opening credits, and the appearance of Nils Asther, who assisted Jack Benny in introducing the final "Orange Blossom" number.
    • Connections
      Alternate-language version of Wir schalten um auf Hollywood (1931)
    • Soundtracks
      Singin' in the Rain
      (1929) (uncredited)

      Music by Nacio Herb Brown

      Lyrics by Arthur Freed

      Played during the opening by The MGM Symphony Orchestra

      Played on ukulele and sung by Cliff Edwards and The Brox Sisters; Danced by chorus

      Sung by the major stars at the end

    User reviews50

    Review
    Review
    Featured review
    Updated from Previous Comment
    I love this film. I've commented before but just saw it again and have a few more "insights." It seems I like it better with each viewing. Along with The Broadway Melody and 42nd Street, one of the great early musicals--films that set the style and standard for decades to come. Yes there is debate as to the singing and dancing of Joan Crawford and Marion Davies, but there are great moments from Marie Dressler, Stan Laurel, Oliver Hardy, Buster Keaton, John Gilbert (I'm Utsnay about Ouyay), Norma Shearer, Cliff Edwards, the swell Brox Sisters, Conrad Nagel, Charles King, Polly Moran, Bessie Love, William Haines, Anita Page, the snappy June Purcell, Lionel Barrymore, Gus Edwards, a sly Jack Benny, and a slap-happy Ann Dvorak. Who could resist.

    Oddities for a talkie include silent bits by Keaton and Laurel (Hardy does all the talking, and some schtick from Karl Dane and George K. Arthur (neither destined for talkie success) during a Benny violin solo. To carry forth the "revue" concept the film is introduced over a live orchestra pit and the intermission sees the musicians taking their seats to reprise the early tunes--Crawford's "Gotta Feelin' for You" chief among them. As noted in other comments, some acts are introed; some are not.

    Considering all were singing live (no lip syncing here) the musical numbers are not bad at all. The recording (still primitive) hurts a little. Charles King comes off best as a straight singer, and the great Cliff Edwards (as Ukelele Ike) is a treat as the comic singer. Edwards does a straight intro to Singin' in the Rain as well as his signature falsetto scat. Joan Crawford, who sang in a bunch of early talkies, has a decent if unpolished voice, and her dancing was par for the course for 1929: lively but a little clunky. Remember, movie musicals were new and hadn't really developed a cinematic choreography. Marion Davies' number is the weakest in the film, which is too bad because she was a delightful performer, but singing and dancing weren't her high points. Marie Dressler cannot hit a false note. No matter how badly she mugs and hams it up, she is great. This film also shows hints of what Bessie Love might have done during the 30s with better handling by MGM. And ditto Polly Moran, who was diminished to playing Dressler's foil in a series of early comedies.

    The Jack Benny we remember from his 1950s TV show is exactly the same 25 year earlier. All his mannerisms are in place as is his superb timing. Several parts of the film are very badly edited and sometimes hurt the timing or punchlines of comic bits. William Haines, nearly choking on a licorice button he rips from Benny's jacket, is handsome and gracious in a cameo.And Conrad Nagel reveals a not-bad singing voice as he serenades a ravishing Anita Page.

    The Singin' in the Rain number rates highest. From the art deco set of Cedric Gibbons to the terrific singing of Cliff Edwards and the Brox Sisters, this number is a true classic. The dancing is simple but effective, the rain effects are OK as is the reflecting "pool." The reprise by the Brox Sisters (all 3 wrapped in 1 raincoat) is wonderful--as is the comic reprise by Dressler, Love, and Moran. Note the arm motions made by the Brox Sisters; they are same as used by Jean Hagen in the 1952 Singin in the Rain.

    I love this film.
    helpful•50
    2
    • drednm
    • Nov 27, 2005

    FAQ1

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    Details

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    • Release date
      • November 23, 1929 (United States)
      • United States
      • Official Site
      • English
    • Also known as
      • Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios - 10202 W. Washington Blvd., Culver City, California, USA
    • Production company
      • Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM)
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

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    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Technical specs

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    • 2 hours 10 minutes
      • Black and White

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