The Hollywood Revue of 1929

The show opens with a minstrel chorus and dance routine, and Jack Benny and Conrad Nagel are introduced as masters of ceremony. Joan Crawford sings “Gotta Feelin’ for You,” amidst a dance specialty, finishing with the Biltmore Quartet. Charles King does “Your Mother and Mine,” before a minstrel chorus, and Conrad Nagel sings “You Were Meant for Me” to Anita Page. Cliff Edwards and his “uke” render “Nobody But You,” and William Haines and Jack Benny do a comedy sketch. Bessie Love comes out of Benny’s pocket in miniature and with a male chorus sings “I Could Never Do a Thing Like That,” climaxed by a dance number. Next, Marie Dressler and Polly Moran in a comedy number sing “For I’m the Queen,” and Laurel and Hardy do a sketch as magician. Marion Davies sings “Tommy Atkins on Parade” with a male chorus and does some tap dancing. The Brox Sisters introduce a song and dance ensemble. “The Tableau of Jewels” opens the second act, followed by “The Dance of the Sea,” in which Keaton appears. Gus Edwards sings “Lon Chaney” and is followed by the Natova company in an adagio dance. Norma Shearer and John Gilbert appear next in a Technicolor “Romeo and Juliet” balcony sequence with Lionel Barrymore, updated to flapper language. On a glass stage, Cliff Edwards and a dance ensemble appear in “Singin’ in the Rain.” Two comedy routines follow: “Charlie, Ike and Gus” and “Marie, Polly, and Bess,” climaxed by “Strolling Through the Park.” The Technicolor finale features Charles King singing “Orange Blossom Time,” followed by two dance numbers performed by the Albertina Rasch Ballet. A replica of Noah’s Ark and the principals performing “Singin’ in the Rain” conclude the show. —TCM