‘Hollywood Hotel’ Stars Dick Powell

Northern Advocate, 30 January 1939, Page 2

‘Hollywood Hotel’ Stars Dick Powell

Catchy songs, magnificent settings, two famous band organisations, a swiftly paced inside story of Hollywood life, a star-studded cast headed by Dick Powell and I/ouella <>. Parsons, are some of the elements which make up what is apparently going to be the smash-hit musical of the season, “Hollywood Hotel.*’ Inclusion in the picture of aii entire broadcast of the most famous of all U.S.A. air programmes—“Hollywood Hotel”—meant adding enormously to the cost of a production already endangered in astronomical numbers. But the Warner studio took the band off the bank roll, and went to town. Result is a filmusical which gives the audience double value in the loveliest,

laughingest, dizziest, singingest picture of the year.

Dick Powell in the best role of his career gives an endearing acting performance —sings tunes that will send millions away whistling ’em. Opposite him play two of the famous Lane sisters—'Lola as a temperamental movie queen who refuses to appear 1 at a premiere lor her producer, and Rosemary as a little unknown waitress who is called in to double socially for the star. .

A stellar array of laugh-makers are at their rollicking best. Ted Healy as the freelance photographer who becomes Dick Powell’s manager and Hugh Herbert as the befuddled father of the movie star give inimitable performances. Alan Mowbray playing the handsome, leading man does it to any queen’s taste. Mabel Todd, Allyn Joslyn and Johnnie Davies all outdo themselves, Benny Goodman and his famous swing band and Raymond Page and his orchestra, hit the musical high spots.

Spencer Tracy, who is now in New York, will sail for a European holiday. The actor's latest Metro-Goldwyn-Mayor production is “Test Pilot,” in which he is co-starred with Clark Gable and Myrna Loy. On ris return to Hollywood, two assignments will be ready for him. •

Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer announces that the following players have been selected to appear in “Stand Up and Fight”: Robert Taylor, Wallace Beery, Florence Rice. Helen Brodexnck, Charley Grapewin, John Qualen and Clinton Rosemont. The picture is now in production.

James Cagney's current him, “Oklahoma Kid’” will be followed by “Each Dawn I Die.”