GOING HOLLYWOOD
US, 1933, 78 minutes, Black and white.
Marion Davies, Bing Crosby, Fifi D' Orsay, Stuart Erwin, Ned Sparks, Patsy Kelly, Three Radio Rogues.
Directed by Raoul Walsh.
Going Hollywood is a star vehicle for Marion Davies who had been appearing in films since the silent era. She made a number of films at MGM including The Bachelor Father, Polly of the Circus, Cain and Mabel – but was better known for her relationship with William Randolph Hearst, dramatised in Citizen Kane. She was portrayed by Kirsten Dunst in Peter Bogdanovich’s The Cat’s Meow. The film is also an early vehicle for Bing Crosby who seems just the same as he was in most of his films, relaxed, charming, crooning. Late in this film, after some romantic and comic songs, he is able to sing the well-known Temptation. The score was by Herb Nacio Brown and Arthur Freed, responsible for so many musicals including Singin’ in the Rain.
Fifi D' Orsay (actually a Canadian rather than French) plays an obnoxious French film star. Patsy Kelly plays the sympathetic friend.
At a party, the action is interrupted by some comic performances by a group called The Three Radio Rogues, comic, singing falsetto, singing and crooning – probably very popular at the time but seeming a bit antiquated now.
The film was directed by Raoul Walsh who had worked with Pancho Villa in 1913, directed many silent films and was to continue on making many films at Warner Bros, action and gangster films as well as westerns until the 1960s.
The film is just a frothy concoction, starting in a finishing school for ladies, travelling to Hollywood, and principally on the set of a musical.
1. The popularity of Marion Davies in the 1930s? A star vehicle for her? Comedy, singing and dancing?
2. Bing Crosby in his early years, his screen presence, ease and charm, his singing, his crooning, his reputation?
3. The title? Altered to Cinderella’s Fella? The irony of a Hollywood Cinderella story?
4. The introduction to Sylvia, at the finishing school, the starchy staff and the exam questions, the teacher going to her room, Sylvia listening to the radio, singing? Finding that she was not to be a teacher? Turning on the radio, the reaction of the staff, of the girls? Her leaving? Her listening to Bing Crosby and infatuation?
5. Bill Williams, his agent, getting him up in the morning, the trip to Hollywood, singing his song – and recording it? His going on the ordinary rounds of the day and singing at the same time? Sylvia coming to see him, declaring her love, his escaping? At the station, the farewell, the crowds? With Lily? The relationship with Lily, on the train, Sylvia’s arrival, his putting her off the train – Lily having the difficulty with her maid, Sylvia becoming the maid? Her flirting with Bill, his trying to avoid her?
6. Sylvia in Hollywood, going to the studio, her being refused entry, her friendship with Jill, Jill taking her under her wing, to the apartment? The long dream sequence – the musical, with Bill, the farm effects, the comedy? Her going to the studio, trying to get a part? With Bill? Insulting Lily?
7. The film, the producer and his earnestness, friendship with Sylvia? Conroy, the director, walking around with a stern face? The clashes with the cast? With Lily? Her walking off? Her performance of the number, then her refusal after criticism? Bill talking with her, trying to persuade her to come back?
8. Bill , his drinking, the reaction to Sylvia? Lily and the break-up?
9. Mr Baker, the invitation to the party, the song and dance, Temptation?
10. The film, Sylvia getting the part, her performance, everybody happy? Jill and Mr Baker?
11. Sylvia, the imitation of Lily, the audition for the part? The final number – Bill not present, his coming on set and singing? The happy ending?
12. The party, the interlude with the Three Radio Rogues – in itself, as part of the film?
13. The froth and bubble of this kind of 30s entertainment?
