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The Hollywood Revue of 1929
(1929)
In this very primitive all-star musical from MGM Studios
and director Charles "Chuck" Riesner - a lavish, star-studded
musical comedy revue show hosted by two Master of Ceremonies: Hollywood's
Conrad Nagel, and Broadway's 'wise-guy' Jack Benny:
- the debut presentation of the signature tune "Singin'
in the Rain" by ukelele-playing Cliff (Ukelele Ike) Edwards
(the future voice of Jiminy Cricket in Walt Disney's Pinocchio)
- a leitmotif throughout the entire picture, with a chorus of showgirls
in raincoats and hats during a downpour; the song was also reprised
later when the entire cast appeared in slick raincoats and hats,
in a two-strip Technicolor segment
- other highlights included Joan Crawford in a jazzy
number with vigorous arm and leg movements ("Gotta Feelin'
For You"), comedy magic tricks from Laurel and Hardy, Buster
Keaton ("Tableau of the Jewels"), and others including
Bessie Love (singing "I Never Knew I Could Do a Thing Like
That"), Marion Davies (performing "Tommy Atkins on Parade" and
tap-dancing on a large drum), and Marie Dressler (singing "For
I'm the Queen")
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Laurel & Hardy
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Marie Dressler: "For I'm the Queen"
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Gus Edwards: "Lon Chaney..."
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- also, Norma Shearer and John Gilbert's performance
(in color) of the balcony scene from "Romeo and Juliet",
and the fantastic musical production number by Gus Edwards: "Lon
Chaney's Gonna Get You If You Don't Watch Out"
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Buster Keaton: "Tableau of the Jewels"
Cliff Edwards: "Nobody But You"
Bessie Love: "I Never Knew I Could Do a Thing Like
That"
Joan Crawford: "Gotta Feelin' For You"
Norma Shearer and John Gilbert: "Romeo and Juliet"
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