While hospitalized young Billy meets his silent movie idol Tim Bart but then the talkies came, destroying Bart's career. Now Bart must convince his young friend he is still a star.While hospitalized young Billy meets his silent movie idol Tim Bart but then the talkies came, destroying Bart's career. Now Bart must convince his young friend he is still a star.While hospitalized young Billy meets his silent movie idol Tim Bart but then the talkies came, destroying Bart's career. Now Bart must convince his young friend he is still a star.
- Billy - The Kid
- (as Billy Burrud)
- Boy
- (uncredited)
- Young Girl
- (uncredited)
- Myrna Loy Mimic
- (uncredited)
- Boy
- (uncredited)
Storyline
Did you know
- TriviaThe film was originally titled Once a Hero.
- GoofsDuring the robbery there is a tremendous rainstorm outside the bank. The gutter is a rushing river, and nearly everyone has an umbrella. Richard Dix wears a trenchcoat that is very wet. Yet inside the bank nobody carries an umbrella, wears a raincoat, or shows any sign of having been affected by the rain--several women even wear stylish hats that are not wet.
- Quotes
Tim Bart: Say, I'm mighty glad you're doin' so well, Pete.
Pete: Yeah, I'm doin' all right. Y'know, the other day I was on location with the Al Howard Company, and I even fed the stars. There was Jim Bagley and Gloria Gay and... that reminds me. She was askin' after you. She was asking me... where you been keepin' yourself, and why she hasn't seen you.
Tim Bart: How's she lookin'?
Pete: Sweller than ever. She's got one of them pooches that's got hair growing down all over his eyes. Pomegranates, I think they call 'em. Ha-ha, ha-ha...
- Crazy creditsOpening credits cast shown as the pages of a book.
- ConnectionsFeatured in A Fuller Life (2013)
The movie also stars Fay Wray. The film concerns a very important part of film history, the arrival of the talkies. Western silent screen star Tim Bart (based probably on Tom Mix) is a huge attraction for young kids everywhere. They belong to his special club, he visits them in hospitals - he is a great hero.
Tim's frequent costar is the beautiful Gloria Gay (Wray). She and Tim are in love, but neither one acknowledges it - it's possible Tim thinks she's too classy for him. Obviously she doesn't feel that way.
When talkies come in, westerns go that-away. Tim is now in formal attire, filming on a set - he's uncomfortable, he can't remember his lines - so the studio gets rid of him and keeps Gloria.
Tim gets into a bar fight at his favorite haunt and is spotted by a director who thinks he would be great as a gangster. He would be - but that would be letting down his kids. When push comes to shove, he won't do it.
One of his fans who was about to have surgery had promised to get well and visit Tim - and he shows up. Tim at this point is no longer a star, and he has no money. The boy falls off of Tim's horse and is put on bedrest - meaning that Tim can't send him back home (which I think is an orphanage or a special hospital).
Tim decides to call in a few favors, and it turns out, everybody is willing to help. He wants to throw a big party for the boy. He borrows his old ranch for the day. His friends provide food and music.
And the guests - the guests are movie star stand-ins and doubles, and some of them are remarkably like the originals: Joan Crawford, Irene Dunne, Loretta Young, W. C. Fields, Charlie Chaplin, Harold Lloyd, John Barrymore, Greta Garbo, and Mae West, to name a few.
I won't spoil the end, but this is a fun, sweet, feel-good film. Dix is very likeable and natural, and Wray is her usual glamorous and gorgeous self. Enjoy the film, and enjoy those doubles and stand-ins!
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Details
- Release date
- Country of origin
- Language
- Also known as
- Once a Hero
- Filming locations
- Paramount Ranch - 2813 Cornell Road, Agoura, California, USA(Hacienda set as Tim Bart's ranch house)
- Production company
- See more company credits at IMDbPro
- Runtime1 hour 7 minutes
- Color
- Aspect ratio
- 1.37 : 1