
Ronny Bowers, a saxophonist in Benny Goodman's band, has won a talent contest and a ten week contract with a film studio. On his first evening he is supposed to go with the studio's star Mona Marshall to a movie premiere. But this lady doesn't want to go, so the bosses decide to use for Mona a double, Virginia. When Mona finds out next morning that happened, she insisted to fire her double and Ronny. Ronny finds work as a singing waiter in a drive-in, and is spotted by a dire... (Full plot summary below)
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Ronny Bowers, a saxophonist in Benny Goodman's band, has won a talent contest and a ten week contract with a film studio. On his first evening he is supposed to go with the studio's star Mona Marshall to a movie premiere. But this lady doesn't want to go, so the bosses decide to use for Mona a double, Virginia. When Mona finds out next morning that happened, she insisted to fire her double and Ronny. Ronny finds work as a singing waiter in a drive-in, and is spotted by a director of the same studio, who wants him to lend his voice for an leading actor in a musical. After the first screening the actor is invited by Louella Parsons to sing in her program "Hollywood Hotel". He accepts, but he doesn't know that Ronny Bowers does not want to lend him his voice again. So everybody starts to play his little game to solve his own problems.
Leave your thoughts about Hollywood Hotel.
| Ozus' World Movie ReviewsDennis SchwartzIt's an uneven film, that has a few exciting moments thanks to the lavish sets for the musical numbers and the screwball comedy. |
| User ReviewBill WHow does Hugh Herbert fit into this movie's plot? Aha, three quarters of the way through it's revealed he's the movie star's father. Maybe that was conveyed early on but there was a lot of stuff being established at the beginning. This movie starts brightly with Ronnie Bowers heading off to Hollywood in the latest passenger airliner. He arrives with a $100 a week contract and soon after is enlisted to escort the movie star's lookalike to a premier. This movie is like a box of chocolates in that it has many bon bon moments but few of them truly connect. In there is one mildly offensive scene but it may have been satire. You'll know it when it comes up. I found this to be a cheery piece of fluff and I liked it. Besides, in how many movies do you get to see Benny Goodman perform? For those who have a taste for Art Deco, big band, slight plots and lush scenery I recommend this. |
| User ReviewMichael TBusby Berkeley-directed film has a sluggish plot, but comes alive during the musical numbers including "Hooray for Hollywood," "I'm Like a Fish Out of Water," "I'm Hitchin' My Wagon to a Star," and Benny Goodman & His Orchestra. |
| User Reviewjay nSilly film is still interesting for some great music it contains as well as the Busby Berkeley touch plus amusing turns from Alan Mowbray, Lola Lane and Glenda Farrell plus the great Frances Langford in fine voice. Louella Parsons is stiff as a board but still one of the few chances to see her in action. |
| User ReviewRich SThis is a pretty good studio ensemble based musical. Lot's of great scene stealing character actors, fun dialogue and good musical numbers make for a diverting movie! Nicely enjoyable. Good for a night like tonight when I can't sleep and need some fun entertainment. |
| User ReviewRussell GDecent, but misses the crazy finale so you kind of feel unfulfilled since it's just a standard good musical. |
| User ReviewDaniel K2: It blows my mind that this is a Busby Berkeley film. I guess I should say it was directed by Berkeley, but it isn't what I would call a Busby Berkeley picture. It seems to me he worked best when he only had to worry about dance numbers and choreography. He was a genius in this respect, but this is basically just another throwaway Hollywood musical of the era. Nothing particularly special or memorable about it or any of the performances. Still, it is mildly entertaining. |