Going Hollywood

Released Dec 22, 1933

1h 20m

Musical

Comedy

List

80%

Tomatometer

5 Reviews

55%

Audience Score

Fewer than 50 Ratings

Wannabe actress Sylvia Bruce (Marion Davies) is inspired by the singing of actor Bill Williams (Bing Crosby) to quit her job as a French teacher in New York City and go to Hollywood. In the film capital, she rooms with Jill Barker (Patsy Kelly), follows Williams around and runs afoul of his jealous girlfriend and co-star, Lili Yvonne (Fifi D'Orsay). But Sylvia doesn't give up -- she gets a bit part on Williams' latest film and finally shows him what she can do.

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Ann Ross

Maclean's Magazine

Fifi has a remarkable temperament, a number of questionable but fascinating habits and a leading part in Bing Crosby's picture. She also has Bing Crosby.

Jul 23, 2019

Full Review

Helen Brown Norden

Vanity Fair

A routine behind-the-scenes story, duller than most, with Marion Davies featuring a wide grin permanently astride her lips. Bing Crosby sings throughout practically every inch of the film, which may be fine if you like him, but if you don't...

Jun 6, 2019

Full Review

Raquel Stecher

Out of the Past

Going Hollywood (1933) is just the sort of bizarre musical that needs to be seen to be believed.

Mar 2, 2019

Full Review

Michael E. Grost

Classic Film and Television

Musical with delightful musical numbers and Raoul Walsh's usual zest.

Jul 17, 2009

Full Review

Dennis Schwartz

Dennis Schwartz Movie Reviews

It never amounts to more than a programmer, but it's entertaining fluff.

Rated: B-

Oct 7, 2005

Full Review

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Audience Member

Great 1930s musical.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

01/18/23

Full Review

Audience Member

Marion Davies stars as a young school teacher who's inspired to quit her dreary job at a girls's school after hearing Bing sing on the radio. She seeks him out to thank him and realizes she has fallen in love with him. She follows him to Hollywood and ends up in a love triangle with him and Fifi D'Orsay. A pre-code programmer with a fair amount of life to it and some entertaining musical numbers. Marvel at seeing Davies do a scene in black face.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

02/01/23

Full Review

Audience Member

Bing is so young in this movie but it's not one of my favorites of his.

Rated 2 out of 5 stars

01/24/23

Full Review

Audience Member

year s/b 1933 not 1923

Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars

01/21/23

Full Review

Audience Member

Early Crosby and late Davies is pleasant and undemanding; the best song was "Temptation."

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

02/27/23

Full Review

Audience Member

good musical that showcases marion davies comedic talents-she was very funny

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

02/25/23

Full Review

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Raoul Walsh

Director

Marion Davies

Sylvia Bruce

Bing Crosby

Billy Williams

Fifi D'Orsay

Lili Yvonne

Stu Erwin

Ernest Pratt Baker

Patsy Kelly

Jill Barker

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Synopsis

Wannabe actress Sylvia Bruce (Marion Davies) is inspired by the singing of actor Bill Williams (Bing Crosby) to quit her job as a French teacher in New York City and go to Hollywood. In the film capital, she rooms with Jill Barker (Patsy Kelly), follows Williams around and runs afoul of his jealous girlfriend and co-star, Lili Yvonne (Fifi D'Orsay). But Sylvia doesn't give up -- she gets a bit part on Williams' latest film and finally shows him what she can do.

Director: Raoul Walsh
Producer: Walter Wanger
Screenwriter: Frances Marion, Donald Ogden Stewart
Distributor: Loew's Inc., Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer
Production Co: Metro Goldwyn Mayer, Cosmopolitan Productions, Loew's Inc.
Genre: Musical, Comedy
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Dec 22, 1933, Wide
Release Date (DVD): Jul 30, 2013
Runtime: 1h 20m
Sound Mix: Mono