Hollywood Party (1934)
A riotous pre-Code MGM musical comedy packed with Hollywood royalty, wild lions, and enough laughs to fill a jungle.
Hollywood Party - Movie Information
- Original Title: Hollywood Party
- Release Year: 1934
- Directed by: Richard Boleslawski, Sam Wood et al.
- Type: Movie
- Genres: Comedy, Music
- Age Rating (US): NR
- Runtime: 1h 8m
- Original Language: English
- Spoken Languages: English
- Release Date (Theatrical): June 1, 1934 (United States - NR)
- Alternative Titles: Голливудская вечеринка (RU), Die Löwen von Hollywood (AT)
- Production Companies: Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer
- Production Countries: United States of America
Hollywood Party - Plot
Jimmy Durante is jungle movie star Schnarzan the Conqueror, but the public is tiring of his fake lions. When Baron Munchausen comes to town with real man-eating lions, Durante throws him a big Hollywood star-studded party so that he might use the lions in his next movie. But, his film rival sneaks into the party to buy the lions before Durante.
Hollywood Party - Trailer
Watch the official trailer and get a taste of the madcap mayhem that awaits:
wade in chuckles up to your chin!...listen to music you'll be hummin' in the bathtub for months!...clap your eyes on the grandest gals ever! ...and see stars so thick you'll have to comb 'em outa your hair!
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Hollywood Party - Cast & Crew
Director(s)
- Richard Boleslawski
- Sam Wood
- Charles Reisner
- Roy Rowland
- Russell Mack
- George Stevens
- Allan Dwan
- Edmund Goulding
Main Cast
- Stan Laurel
- Oliver Hardy
- Jimmy Durante
- Jack Pearl
- Polly Moran
- Charles Butterworth
- Eddie Quillan
- June Clyde
- Lupe Vélez
- George Givot
Writers
- Arthur Kober
- Howard Dietz
Hollywood Party - FAQs
Who are the main stars in Hollywood Party?
Hollywood Party brings together an incredible lineup: Jimmy Durante leads as the jungle movie star Schnarzan, with Stan Laurel and Oliver Hardy stealing scenes, plus Lupe Vélez, Jack Pearl as Baron Munchausen, Polly Moran, Charles Butterworth, Eddie Quillan, June Clyde, and George Givot rounding out the star-studded cast.
What is Hollywood Party about?
Hollywood Party follows Jimmy Durante as Schnarzan the Conqueror, a jungle movie star whose fake lions are losing their appeal. To save his career, he throws a lavish Hollywood party for Baron Munchausen, hoping to secure the Baron's real man-eating lions — only for a scheming rival to crash the party and outbid him.
Is Hollywood Party a pre-Code film?
Yes! Hollywood Party is a classic pre-Code Hollywood production, released in June 1934 just before the strict enforcement of the Hays Code. This gives the film a freewheeling, irreverent energy — with risqué humor, wild musical numbers, and the kind of anarchic comedy that would soon be reined in by censors.
Did Laurel and Hardy appear in Hollywood Party?
Stan Laurel and Oliver Hardy do appear in Hollywood Party, though in a supporting capacity rather than leading roles. Their segment is one of the film's most memorable, featuring the duo in their signature bumbling style. It's a delightful treat for fans, even if their screen time is relatively brief compared to Jimmy Durante's central storyline.
When was Hollywood Party released?
Hollywood Party was released on June 1, 1934, in the United States. It was produced by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer and hit theaters during the final months before the Hays Code began to be strictly enforced, making it one of the last truly uninhibited Hollywood musical comedies of that freewheeling pre-Code era.
Where can I stream Hollywood Party?
You can watch Hollywood Party for free on Plex and Plex Channel. It's also available to rent or buy on Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, and Fandango At Home. IndieFlix and IndieFlix Shorts Amazon Channel offer it as part of their flat-rate subscription services.
How many directors worked on Hollywood Party?
Hollywood Party had an unusually large directing team — at least eight filmmakers contributed, including Richard Boleslawski, Sam Wood, Charles Reisner, Roy Rowland, Russell Mack, George Stevens, Allan Dwan, and Edmund Goulding. This revolving-door approach was common for big MGM revue-style productions of the era, with different directors handling individual segments.
Who was the cinematographer for Hollywood Party?
The film was shot by the legendary James Wong Howe, one of Hollywood's most celebrated cinematographers. Known for his innovative lighting techniques and visual artistry, Howe brought his distinctive eye to this MGM musical comedy, lending the production a polished visual quality that stands out even in this loosely structured revue format.
More About Hollywood Party
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