Customer Reviews

Hollywood Party [VHS]

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

M-G-M applied the all-star format of "Grand Hotel" to this jumbled musical-comedy feature, so we have vignettes with comedy stars instead of dramatic stars. The parts are definitely greater than the whole, with outstanding contributions by Laurel & Hardy (who don't show up until the last 20 minutes or so), Lupe Velez, Jimmy Durante (as a would-be movie Tarzan), Charles Butterworth (as a droll tycoon), and George Givot (as a dialect-challenged lover). Don't look for a plot, and you'll enjoy this crazy-quilt of a movie.

HOLLYWOOD PARTY is one of those films that started out as a really great idea: a musical starring all of MGM's comedy stars. The production was troubled almost from day one, so the end result is somewhat less than great. But it's still passable entertainment that's too short to become tedious. The Rodgers and Hart score is lively, but not very memorable. Incredibly, Rodgers and Hart submitted "Blue Moon" for use in HOLLYWOOD PARTY, and it was rejected! But there are some pearly moments: an animated sequence supplied by Walt Disney is one, a funny scene with Ted Healy and His Stooges, (you know them better as The Three Stooges) is another. Best of all, are two scenes featuring Laurel and Hardy. Despite the brevity of their appearance, Stan and Ollie get top billing in the credits. Not one of the film's numerous directors receives any credit!

Hollywood Party has some pretty good song and dance numbers--although I must admit that you're not going to see a level of dancing quality that Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers could produce. But you know what? I liked it anyway! It was very light entertainment and every once in a while that's just what everybody needs. The plot is indeed rather thin but the acting is good. The song and dance numbers kept me interested and the choreography was particularly good in the numerous dance sequences with many, many extras.

When the action starts we meet Jimmy Durante who plays Schnarzan, an obvious spoof of Tarzan and an all in good fun poke at Jimmy Durante's famously huge nose. He's locked in a bitter struggle for box office sales with Liondora (George Givot), a fellow entertainer. Jimmy's men hear that the lion owning Baron Munchausen (Jack Pearl) is coming to Hollywood and they advise Jimmy to get those lions so he can fight them in his movies--not that Jimmy realizes that these are real lions, of course. (That doesn't make sense; but when I said this was "light" entertainment I meant it.) Jimmy also decides to throw a huge Hollywood party to attract everybody who is anybody--and even the Baron himself for what Jimmy hopes will be a good business deal to buy those lions through his agent.

Naturally, this razor thin plot is just an excuse for what MGM really wanted to do--launch a series of Broadway and vaudeville type spectacles to razzle-dazzle audiences. In my opinion, it worked. I was amazed at the numerous song and dance sequences with what appear to be well over 100 dancers and extras on the stage at any one time.

In addition, there are a few acts worth special mention. Jimmy's love interest is the rather attractive "Jaguar Woman" (Lupe Velez). She reminds me of Carmen Miranda in this film. She runs around screaming things out with incorrect grammar in an obvious play to get a laugh from the movie going audience and she dresses up with huge feathers and a slinky dress. She does a wonderfully funny scene with the great Stan Laurel and Oliver Hardy near the end of the movie; but I won't spoil it for you by telling you what they do here. It is funny, though. We also see an early appearance by Ted Healy and His Stooges who were to bill themselves as The Three Stooges in later years. Charles Butterworth turns in an excellent and very funny performance as the multimillionaire airhead Harvey Clemp; and his wife Henrietta (Polly Moran) is quite the character, too. I also liked the "I've Had My Moments" song and dance sequence performed by Eddie Quillan playing Bob Benson and June Clyde playing Linda Clemp. Great! There's even a Technicolor Disney animated scene that is quite impressive and hard to find elsewhere.

Overall, Hollywood Party is light entertainment that is perfect for when you want to just sit back and watch something not very taxing. I recommend this film for people who enjoy classic movies that have comedy and song and dance routines.

Every MGM director worked on this ill-conceived musical-comedy hodgepodge, but no one wanted to take credit - or blame - for the final product. Therefore, it's not surprising that "Hollywood Party" (1934) emerges as a rather dull affair. Among the few highlights are Laurel and Hardy's classic egg-breaking routine with Lupe Velez, a guest appearance by Mickey Mouse, and Walt Disney's Technicolor cartoon "The Hot Choc-late Soldiers." The rest is VERY heavy going.

Maybe the movie, overall, is not 5 stars, but I really enjoyed the musical number "Hollywood Party". It made me feel happy inside. THis movie is very enjoyable for a late night. I watched it on a late night during a rainstorm. Maybe it is not a truly great movie, but still, it is fun. I just loved the music... holly wood party... get up, get out, get in it... hollywood party, nobody sleeps tonight!!! Watch this cute movie, and you won't be sorry. Laurel and Hardy are magnificent!!

sillyness prevail in old Hollywood.... No point... just a laugh !!!

This film contains the best fight between Stan and Ollie and a lady ever made

You will find very few movies with Laurel & Hardy & The Three Stooges in them but this one has both the legendary comedy teams. Although the movie isn't that good both the appearance by the Stooges and Laurel and Hardy made it a worthwhile purchase for me and would probably for any Stooges or Laurel & Hardy fan. The appearance by the Stooges comes with their original leader Ted Healy. The funniest bit in the movie is a "kissing" scene...and Laurel & Hardy have a very amusing egg fight scene as well. Overall the movie isn't really good but if you are a Laurel & Hardy or die hard Stooge fan...this movie is worth the time. If not...don't waste your time.