The Hollywood Revue of 1929

MGM, 1929
Starring Jack Benny, Joan Crawford, Marie Dressler, Cliff Edwards, and more
Directed by Charles Reisner and Christy Cabanne (uncredited)
Music by Arthur Freed and others; Lyrics by Nacio Herb Brown and others

We're jumping way, way back in Hollywood history for this one. After the coming of sound made musical films possible, almost every studio in town made at least one revue showcasing their most popular stars and grandest sets and costumes. MGM was no exception, and they top-loaded their Oscar-nominated variety show with everyone from up-and-coming Crawford to comedian Jack Benny to Laurel & Hardy. How does this early variety program look today? Let's head to the theater, where the show is about to begin, and find out...

The Story: There isn't one. Jack Benny introduces a series of skits, songs, and dances featuring some of the most popular stars at MGM in 1929...when said stars aren't slapping him, throwing cakes in his direction, or eating the buttons off his tuxedo.

The Song and Dance: When they say "the following galaxy of stars" in the opening credits, they're not kidding. If you love the movies of the early talkie era, you'll probably see someone you recognize. Some non-musical numbers have their own fun. Laurel and Hardy have a really cute magic act that begins with broken eggs and ends with Hardy falling into a cake. Norma Shearer and a relaxed-looking John Gilbert (just before his career tragically spiraled downwards) do a hilariously overwrought Romeo & Juliet...and then an even more ridiculous version in "modern" 20's argot, as per director Lionel Barrymore's instructions.

Favorite Number: Some of the songs here are pretty adorable, too. June Purcell and the chorus have fun with "Low Down Rhythm" early on, including another routine by the ballet-tap dancer from The Broadway Melody. Some early special effects are used on the opening chorus routine and Bessie Love's goofy acrobatic act, "I Never Knew I Could Do a Thing Like That," allowing her to emerge from Jack Benny's pocket. Marie Dressler proves why she became one of MGM's top stars in the early 30's in the hilarious royalty satire "I'm the Queen." Dressler and Love join Dressler's long-time sparring partner Polly Moran for some wild musical slapstick in enormous bloomers and hairbows, including Moran doing a terrific Al Jolson impression.

The movie is best-known today for introducing "Singin' In the Rain" to general audiences. The number is worthy of the song, with Cliff "Ukelele Ike" Edwards performing it as the chorus splashes in real rain, with the Brox Sisters jumping in later with their own pleasant harmony. It's the best number in the film, and too cute for words. The finale at Noah's Ark, with all the stars singing in raincoats (except a confused Buster Keaton, who looks like he's just wondering where the rain went), is a great way to end the show.

Trivia: While most of the film (including its color sequences) is intact, two brief bits are missing. Current prints no longer have a recitation from the showgirls in the sign in the opening credits and the appearance of Nils Asther, who helped Benny introduce the "Singin' In the Rain" finale.

Laurel and Hardy and Marion Davies shot their numbers in the wee hours of the morning (which explains their performances, especially Davies), due to them working on other projects at the time.

Cliff Edwards later became better-known as the original voice of Jiminy Cricket in Disney's Pinocchio.

Among the women who slap Jack Benny are Gwen Lee and later Warner Bros and Scarface actress Ann Dworak.

What I Don't Like: Like The Broadway Melody, this is extremely a movie of its time. Most of the performers are barely remembered to anyone but aficionados of the early talkie era nowadays. The color is scratchy, the cinematography is a matter of filming whomever happens to be standing there, and the choreography is stilted at best and clumsy at worst.

The spoof horror chorus routine "Lon Chaney's Gonna Get 'Cha If You Don't Watch Out" is cute if you know about Chaney's reputation in the genre at the time...but you probably won't get it if you don't know the era. Davies is stiff and rather desperate in her "Tommy Atkins on Parade" military dance routine. Almost every chorus number, including the military parade after "Tommy Atkins," goes on for way, way too long. Most of the songs besides "Singin' In the Rain" are dull or silly, including the often-repeated and rather bad "Your Mother and Mine." A routine with an adiago troupe comes off as strange rather than dramatic. And what was with all the women slapping Jack Benny?

The Big Finale: Cute if you love the early talkie era; not necessary for anyone else.

Home Media: Currently only available via the Warner Archives.

DVD