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      Hollywood Cavalcade

      1939 1h 36m Romance List
      Reviews 46% 50+ Ratings Audience Score In 1913, aspiring film director Michael Connors (Don Ameche) discovers Broadway newcomer Molly Adair (Alice Faye) and convinces her to let him manage her career. The course of their resulting partnership -- and meteoric rise to fame -- parallels Hollywood's own development, from its vaudevillian beginnings to "The Jazz Singer" and the arrival of sound in 1927. But Connors secretly loves Adair, and when she marries leading man Nicky Hayden (Alan Curtis), it may tear their friendship apart. Read More Read Less

      Audience Reviews

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      Audience Member Some really good performances by Alice Faye and Don Ameche. The most enjoyable moments feature the brilliant comedian, Buster Keaton. Wish he had been in the picture more. I found it distracting that the film opens in 1913, yet the clothes were from the 1930s. It took me out of the picture. A poor choice in costuming. Rated 3 out of 5 stars 02/08/23 Full Review Audience Member This film is a lot better than I was expecting! Molly (Faye) is a new-coming Broadway actress, who is discovered by soon-to-be-big Hollywood director Mike (Ameche). They go straight-away to the golden city, and have a series of hits together. But when Molly marries her co-star (Curits), a jealous Mike ends their friendship. Is this turn of events going to be successful? Honestly, I didnt have high hopes for "Hollywood Cavalcade". I had only recorded it for a cheery Technicolor comedy: I watch those every once in a while just to get me smiling. Though it was not was I was expecting, that is seriously not a bad thing. This movie is anything but funny or cheery, but is in fact, dramatic and sad. The first 45 minutes are nice, with some witty scenes, some fun appearances by Buster Keaton and Fatty Arbuckle, and especially a great use of color. But after that, it gets depressing. It seems it goes from one tragedy to the next and doesn't even go the way the bouncy Technicolor movies usually went. It shows a (very dramatic) good example of the real world and proves not every second of the day is happy. With a happy ending, this movie is the perfect cake, and Faye and Ameche are the icing. Faye really gives her best performance here. There's many situations where she has to cry and she does a knock-out job. She is never over the top and in the meantime impressed me quite a bit. I didnt know she had this much acting talent! Ameche also proved me wrong-- I knew he was a good actor, but I never thought he could carry out a role so well. He's actually really convincing as the Hollywood director, and the famous downward-spiral routine he does is well-done. Irving Cummings directs an unusual memorable one here folks! "Hollywood Cavalcade" is really good. Recommended. Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars 02/03/23 Full Review Audience Member Hoary old chestnut in dazzling Technicolor is a thinly veiled account of Mack Sennett"s rise and fall. He was involved in the production in a minor capacity. Alice doesn't even sing. Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars 02/27/23 Full Review Audience Member sweet musical/variety show/talent showcase Rated 3 out of 5 stars 02/25/23 Full Review Read all reviews Post a rating

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      Hollywood Cavalcade

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      Critics Reviews

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      David Cornelius DVDTalk.com This is a generous tip of the hat to the dawn of cinema, which should appeal to any movie lover. Rated: 4/5 Nov 18, 2008 Full Review Pablo Villaça Cinema em Cena Como curiosidade sobre os bastidores da jovem Hollywood, o filme funciona muito bem. Pena que a histria de amor entre Ameche e Faye atrapalhe um pouco. Rated: 3/5 Aug 4, 2003 Full Review Read all reviews

      Movie Info

      Synopsis In 1913, aspiring film director Michael Connors (Don Ameche) discovers Broadway newcomer Molly Adair (Alice Faye) and convinces her to let him manage her career. The course of their resulting partnership -- and meteoric rise to fame -- parallels Hollywood's own development, from its vaudevillian beginnings to "The Jazz Singer" and the arrival of sound in 1927. But Connors secretly loves Adair, and when she marries leading man Nicky Hayden (Alan Curtis), it may tear their friendship apart.
      Director
      Irving Cummings
      Genre
      Romance
      Original Language
      English
      Release Date (DVD)
      Oct 7, 2008
      Runtime
      1h 36m