The Hollywood Revue of 1929
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| The Hollywood Revue of 1929 (1929) | |
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| Directed by | Charles Reisner |
| Produced by | Irving Thalberg and Harry Rapf |
| Starring | Conrad Nagel Jack Benny Joan Crawford Marion Davies Anita Page Marie Dressler |
| Music by | David Snell, Raymond Klages, Jesse Greer and Martin Broones |
| Cinematography | John Arnold, Max Fabian, Irving G. Reis and John M. Nickolaus |
| Editing by | William S. Gray and Cameron K. Wood |
| Distributed by | Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer |
| Release date(s) | November 23, 1929 |
| Running time | 116 min. |
| Country |  United States |
| Language | English |
| IMDb profile | |
The Hollywood Revue of 1929 is an American musical film/comedy motion picture released in 1929, and one of the earliest ventures into the talkie format. Directed by Charles Riesner for MGM (it was the company's second musical), the film brought together some of MGM's most popular performers a lavish two-hour revue with Technicolor sequences hosted by Jack Benny.
Billed as an “All-Star Musical Extravaganza,” the film includes performances by once and future stars, including Joan Crawford singing and dancing on stage (she later remarked, "Revue was one of those Let's-throw-everyone-on-the-lot-into-a musical things, but I did a good song-and-dance number."[citation needed]). Other segments feature Lionel Barrymore, Marion Davies, John Gilbert, Buster Keaton, Marie Dressler, Anita Page and Norma Shearer. Highlights of the film are musical performances (including the debut of Singing In The Rain) performed initially by Cliff Edwards ("Ukelele Ike") and later performed at the end of the film by the entire cast) and a comedy routine starring Stan Laurel and Oliver Hardy as a team of inept magicians. The only major MGM stars missing from the revue are Greta Garbo, Ramon Novarro and Lon Chaney (although Chaney is referred to by name in one of the songs performed).
Only one number was cut from the film, a parody of the Albertina Rasch ballet's "pearl dance" by Marie Dressler. Cited as "too long", the number was replaced by one featuring Buster Keaton. Production stills show Dressler in a Lady Godiva wig and tutu.
The film is often cited (such as on the DVD release of the 1952 film Singin' in the Rain) as the film that led to the downfall of Gilbert's career. Gilbert, a popular silent film actor (best known for his work opposite Garbo),possessed a speaking voice that, although pleasant, did not match his on-screen image, as indicated in his performance of a scene from Romeo and Juliet during Hollywood Revue of 1929.
The circulating print of the film runs as follows:
ACT I:
- The Palace of Minstrel sung and danced by a minstrel chorus
- Masters of Ceremonies Jack Benny introduces Conrad Nagel. Cliff Edwards interferes
- I've Got A Feeling for You sung by Joan Crawford
- "Old Folks at Home" sung by chorus
- Old Black Joe sung by chorus
- Low-Down Rhythm sung and danced by June Purcell
- Your Mother and Mine sung by Charles King
- You Were Meant for Me sung by Conrad Nagel to Anita Page
- Nobody But You sung by Cliff Edwards
- Your Mother and Mine played by Jack Benny on his violin
- Cut Up comedy skit featuring William Haines ripping up Jack Benny's suit
- I Never Knew I Could Do a Thing Like That sung by Bessie Love
- For I'm the Queen sung by Marie Dressler, assisted by Polly Moran
- Magic Act introduced by Jack Benny, featuring Laurel and Hardy as magicians in a comedy skit
- Military March with Marion Davies singing "Oh, What a Man" and "Tommy Atkins on Parade" followed by military drill and dancing. The Brox Sisters conclude this number singing "Strike Up the Band"
Intermission -- During this five-minute break, the orchestra is seen playing to the tunes of "Nobody But You", "Your Mother and Mine" and "I've Got A Feeling for You" in front of the closed curtain.
ACT II:
- The Pearl Ballet sung by James Burrows, danced by Beth Laemmle and the Albertina Rasch ballet
- The Dance of the Sea performed by Buster Keaton
- Lon Chaney's Gonna Get You If You Don't Watch Out sung by Gus Edwards
- The Adagio Dance with the Natova Company
- Romeo and Juliet (in Technicolor) with John Gilbert and Norma Shearer, with Lionel Barrymore as director
- Singin' in the Rain introduced by Cliff Edwards
- Charlie, Gus and Ike with Charles King, Gus Edwards and Cliff Edwards
- Marie, Polly and Bess with Marie Dressler, Polly Moran and Bessie Love
- Orange Blossom Time (in Technicolor) sung by Charles King to Myrtle McLaughlin, danced by the Albertina Rasch Ballet
- Singin' in the Rain (reprise) (in Technicolor) sung by entire cast
The Hollywood Revue of 1929 is notable for a glimpse at the early careers of some of the major figures of Hollywood's Golden Age. The film was popular with audiences and received an Academy Award nomination for Best Picture.
