Main Cast: Jimmy Durante, Charles Butterworth, Lupe Velez, Polly Moran
Release Year: 1934
Country: US
Run Time: 72 minutes
Plot
Hollywood Party was planned as a lavish, star-studded MGM musical titled Hollywood Revue of 1933. Under the less-than-sterling guidance of "kicked upstairs" MGM producer Harry Rapf, production dragged on interminably, using up the talents of five directors (none of whom were credited) and seven writers. The "all star" cast lineup slowly dwindled down to comparatively inexpensive contract players Jimmy Durante and Jack Pearl (radio's Baron Munchhausen) and a passel of non-MGM personalities. The final product wove a goofy story about The Great Schnarzan (Durante), a jungle-movie star whose films are suffering at the box office because his lions are anemic. Schnarzan schemes to purchase several healthy lions from Baron Munchhausen; to get the baron into a bargaining mood, Schnarzan throws a huge Hollywood party in Munchhausen's honor. Liondora (George Givot), Schnarzan's "hated rival", hopes to purchase the Baron's lions for himself, and crashes the party disguised as a Greek Baron. Also figuring into the plot are the members of the Klemp family (Charles Butterworth, Polly Moran and June Clyde), who are filthy rich and thus quite attractive to both Schnarzan and Liondora; poor-but-honest Eddie Quillan, who romances the Klemp's daughter; and Schnarzan's ex-girlfriend Lupe Velez, who shows up at the party in an astonishingly revealing gown for the express purpose of making trouble. In an amusing animated sequence courtesy of Walt Disney, Mickey Mouse introduces the Technicolor musical exploits of "The Hot Chocolate Soldiers." Shortly before the end, Stan Laurel and Oliver Hardy make a welcome appearance as a pair of lion-farm owners who wish to collect a debt from Baron Munchhausen. This segues into the classic egg-breaking sequence involving Stan, Ollie, and Lupe Velez. Now we've reached the 65 minute mark, with no logical ending in sight. Director Allan Dwan, brought into the project at the last minute, took a look at the existing footage and declared "It's a nightmare!" Inspired, Dwan directed a closing sequence which suggested that the whole plot had been dreamed by Jimmy Durante; Durante is wakened from his slumbers by his wife--played by Mrs. Jimmy Durante. Hollywood Party makes no sense at all, but it's a must for comedy lovers and 1930s film buffs. Don't miss that opening number, written by Rodgers and Hart and performed by Frances Williams and a chorus of barely dressed telephone operators; and keep an eye peeled for a lengthy uncredited appearance by the Three Stooges. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
Review
Terrifically uneven, like most of the "revue" films of the period, Hollywood Party has enough interesting segments to warrant a look, including a couple that are especially interesting. One of these would be the "Hot Chocolate Soldiers" cartoon from Walt Disney, a Technicolor extravaganza that feels as if it came from one of the "looser" studios rather than from the master animator himself. It's not an absolute classic, but it's a riot of color and nifty animation that's quite captivating. The other is a genuine classic, the immortal "eggs" routine involving Laurel and Hardy and Lupe Velez. While this sequence has been "anthologized" in many outlets, it still packs a wallop and is hysterically funny. There are also a number of very good sequences, if not quite in the league of these first two, including Frances Williams' delectable vocalizing; a number of attractive songs (and a number of indifferent ones as well); a nifty if short Three Stooges segment involving autograph seeking and the boys' resemblance to ancient man; and a number of noteworthy Velez moments. Jimmy Durante makes for an entertaining, if occasionally over zealous host, but Jack Pearl's schtick wears thin very quickly. Other routines run from the so-so to the flat, and the "dream" ending is a cop-out. Definitely an up-and-down affair, Hollywood comes out slightly ahead on the whole. ~ Craig Butler, All Movie Guide
Laurel and Hardy appear at the door while the party is happening. They sold the lions to Baron Munchausen and he paid with a cheque for 50,000 tiddlywinks and they want the lions back. The doorman refuses them entry so they lock him out and go looking for the Baron. Stan and Ollie can't find the Baron and end up at a bar. At the bar Lupe Velez has been refused another drink and she screams her displeasure. They have a classic tit-for-tat argument with eggs. The doorman spots Stan and Ollie and gives chase. They end up outside and release the lions.
