{ "id": "ep9nsgh9yz", "slug": "hollywood-revue-of-1929", "title": "Hollywood Revue of 1929", "updated": "2026-11-01", "topic_path": [ { "id": "culture", "label": "Arts and culture", "api_url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/api/v1/topics/culture" }, { "id": "culture.performance", "label": "Screen and stage", "api_url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/api/v1/topics/culture.performance" }, { "id": "culture.performance.screen", "label": "Film and television", "api_url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/api/v1/topics/culture.performance.screen" }, { "id": "culture.performance.screen.films", "label": "Films and standalone screen works", "api_url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/api/v1/topics/culture.performance.screen.films" }, { "id": "culture.performance.screen.films.films.individual-works", "label": "Individual films by title and year", "api_url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/api/v1/topics/culture.performance.screen.films.films.individual-works" }, { "id": "culture.performance.screen.films.films.individual-works.musical-music", "label": "Musical and music films (individual works)", "api_url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/api/v1/topics/culture.performance.screen.films.films.individual-works.musical-music" }, { "id": "culture.performance.screen.films.films.individual-works.musical-music.musical-films-of-the-1930s-to-1960s", "label": "Musical films of the 1930s to 1960s", "api_url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/api/v1/topics/culture.performance.screen.films.films.individual-works.musical-music.musical-films-of-the-1930s-to-1960s" } ], "geo": [ { "id": "geo.us.t1800.culture.performance.screen.films.films.individual-works.musical-music", "label": "United States · 1800 to 1945: Musical and music films (individual works)", "api_url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/api/v1/geo/geo.us.t1800.culture.performance.screen.films.films.individual-works.musical-music", "path": [ { "id": "geo.us", "label": "United States", "api_url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/api/v1/geo/geo.us" }, { "id": "geo.us.t1800", "label": "United States · 1800 to 1945", "api_url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/api/v1/geo/geo.us.t1800" }, { "id": "geo.us.t1800.culture", "label": "Arts and culture", "api_url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/api/v1/geo/geo.us.t1800.culture" }, { "id": "geo.us.t1800.culture.performance", "label": "Screen and stage", "api_url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/api/v1/geo/geo.us.t1800.culture.performance" }, { "id": "geo.us.t1800.culture.performance.screen", "label": "Film and television", "api_url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/api/v1/geo/geo.us.t1800.culture.performance.screen" }, { "id": "geo.us.t1800.culture.performance.screen.films", "label": "Films and standalone screen works", "api_url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/api/v1/geo/geo.us.t1800.culture.performance.screen.films" }, { "id": "geo.us.t1800.culture.performance.screen.films.films.individual-works", "label": "Individual films by title and year", "api_url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/api/v1/geo/geo.us.t1800.culture.performance.screen.films.films.individual-works" }, { "id": "geo.us.t1800.culture.performance.screen.films.films.individual-works.musical-music", "label": "Musical and music films (individual works)", "api_url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/api/v1/geo/geo.us.t1800.culture.performance.screen.films.films.individual-works.musical-music" } ] } ], "excerpt": "The Hollywood Revue of 1929 is MGM's plotless all-star early talkie revue, directed by Charles Reisner, produced by Harry Rapf, emceed by Jack Benny and Conrad Nagel, and remembered for introducing \"Singin' in the Rain.\"", "snippet": "The Hollywood Revue of 1929 is MGM's plotless all-star early talkie revue, directed by Charles Reisner, produced by Harry Rapf, emceed by Jack Benny and Conrad Nagel, and remembered for introducing \"Singin' in the Rain.\"", "node": "culture.performance.screen.films.films.individual-works.musical-music.musical-films-of-the-1930s-to-1960s", "markdown": "# Hollywood Revue of 1929\n\n**The Hollywood Revue of 1929** is an American all-star musical revue film produced by [Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer](https://www.edgepedia.org/metro-goldwyn-mayer) (MGM) and directed by Charles Reisner, in which nearly the studio's entire roster of featured players appeared in a plotless sequence of songs, dances, and comedy skits. The Hollywood Filmograph of 15 June 1929 called it \"the first musical extravaganza without any attempt at a plot,\" and credit for the idea was given to producer Harry Rapf.[1](https://catalog.afi.com/Film/9787-THE-HOLLYWOODREVUEOF1929?cp=1&pos=0&sid=5e7df2b8-737c-4c4e-85a7-14a3db03de5b&sr=11.565446) It is remembered chiefly for introducing the song \"Singin' in the Rain,\" later the title tune of the 1952 MGM musical.[2](https://www.tcm.com/articles/88202/the-hollywood-revue-of-1929)\n\n| Key fact | Detail |\n|---|---|\n| Studio and producer | Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer; produced by Harry Rapf, directed by Charles Reisner[1](https://catalog.afi.com/Film/9787-THE-HOLLYWOODREVUEOF1929?cp=1&pos=0&sid=5e7df2b8-737c-4c4e-85a7-14a3db03de5b&sr=11.565446) |\n| Release | Premiered 15 June 1929 at Grauman's Chinese Theatre, Los Angeles; general release 23 November 1929[3](https://www.silentera.com/PSFL/data/H/HollywoodRevueOfNinete1929.html) |\n| Format | Plotless all-star revue, emceed by Conrad Nagel and Jack Benny; Benny's feature film debut[1](https://catalog.afi.com/Film/9787-THE-HOLLYWOODREVUEOF1929?cp=1&pos=0&sid=5e7df2b8-737c-4c4e-85a7-14a3db03de5b&sr=11.565446) • [2](https://www.tcm.com/articles/88202/the-hollywood-revue-of-1929) |\n| Signature song | \"Singin' in the Rain\" (Arthur Freed and Nacio Herb Brown), introduced by Cliff Edwards and reprised by the full cast in rain slickers[2](https://www.tcm.com/articles/88202/the-hollywood-revue-of-1929) |\n| Color sequences | Several segments filmed in two-strip Technicolor, including the Romeo and Juliet parody, a \"Technicolor Ballet,\" and the finale[2](https://www.tcm.com/articles/88202/the-hollywood-revue-of-1929) • [4](https://newyorkerstateofmind.com/2018/08/24/hooray-for-hollywood/) |\n| Awards | Nominated for Best Picture (then called Production); lost to MGM's The Broadway Melody[5](https://emanuellevy.com/review/hollywood-revue-of-1929-the-1929-1/) |\n| Runtime | 113 minutes per the AFI Catalog; 118 minutes (12 reels) per the Silent Era listing[1](https://catalog.afi.com/Film/9787-THE-HOLLYWOODREVUEOF1929?cp=1&pos=0&sid=5e7df2b8-737c-4c4e-85a7-14a3db03de5b&sr=11.565446) • [3](https://www.silentera.com/PSFL/data/H/HollywoodRevueOfNinete1929.html) |\n\n## Spoilers\n\n### Content\n\nThe film presents itself as a stage revue performed by the stars for an audience, with [Jack Benny](https://www.edgepedia.org/jack-benny) and Conrad Nagel as masters of ceremonies. Benny came from vaudeville and Nagel was a movie matinee idol, and several of their jokes turned on the difference between stage performers and film actors; topical gags kidded [Prohibition](https://www.edgepedia.org/prohibition) and the arrival of sound in the movies.[2](https://www.tcm.com/articles/88202/the-hollywood-revue-of-1929)\n\nThe acts included [Joan Crawford](https://www.edgepedia.org/joan-crawford), in her singing debut, performing \"Got a Feelin' for You\" with a jazz dance; [Marion Davies](https://www.edgepedia.org/marion-davies) singing \"Tommy Atkins on Parade\"; [Marie Dressler](https://www.edgepedia.org/marie-dressler) in \"For I'm the Queen\" and a trio with Polly Moran and Bessie Love; Laurel and Hardy as bumbling magicians; Buster Keaton in a burlesque ballet as a harem girl; and Anita Page singing \"You Were Meant for Me.\"[2](https://www.tcm.com/articles/88202/the-hollywood-revue-of-1929) • [5](https://emanuellevy.com/review/hollywood-revue-of-1929-the-1929-1/) In a Technicolor sequence, John Gilbert and Norma Shearer offered a slang version of the balcony scene from Romeo and Juliet, with Lionel Barrymore as their director.[2](https://www.tcm.com/articles/88202/the-hollywood-revue-of-1929) Choreographer Sammy Lee created dance routines designed to be photographed from overhead.[2](https://www.tcm.com/articles/88202/the-hollywood-revue-of-1929)\n\nThe film closed with the all-cast [Technicolor](https://www.edgepedia.org/technicolor) finale of \"Singin' in the Rain.\" [Cliff Edwards](https://www.edgepedia.org/cliff-edwards) introduced the Freed and Brown song, which became the film's leitmotif and later an MGM \"signature\" song; it was subsequently performed by [Jimmy Durante](https://www.edgepedia.org/jimmy-durante) in Speak Easily (1932), Judy Garland in Little Nellie Kelly (1940), and Malcolm McDowell in A Clockwork Orange (1971), and it inspired the title of the 1952 Gene Kelly musical.[2](https://www.tcm.com/articles/88202/the-hollywood-revue-of-1929) • [4](https://newyorkerstateofmind.com/2018/08/24/hooray-for-hollywood/) During the \"Technicolor Ballet,\" some theaters arranged for the smell of orange blossoms to waft through the audience.[2](https://www.tcm.com/articles/88202/the-hollywood-revue-of-1929)\n\n## Production\n\nThe picture was first announced in the 17 March 1929 Film Daily as \"Gus Edwards' M-G-M Revue,\" with Edwards receiving a \"music and lyrics by\" onscreen credit and also appearing as a cast member. Production began the following week under the working title The MGM Revue of Revues, and the 5 May 1929 Film Daily reported the title change to The Hollywood Revue of 1929, initially naming Christy Cabanne and Charles Reisner as co-directors; Cabanne's name was dropped and Reisner received sole directing credit.[1](https://catalog.afi.com/Film/9787-THE-HOLLYWOODREVUEOF1929?cp=1&pos=0&sid=5e7df2b8-737c-4c4e-85a7-14a3db03de5b&sr=11.565446)\n\nRapf pursued the project despite opposition from MGM executives and, according to the 22 June 1929 Motion Picture News, agreed to take full responsibility for its success or failure. His initial concept reportedly did not include the MGM stars. Nearly the entire MGM stable of featured players took part, supplemented by vaudeville and comedy performers.[1](https://catalog.afi.com/Film/9787-THE-HOLLYWOODREVUEOF1929?cp=1&pos=0&sid=5e7df2b8-737c-4c4e-85a7-14a3db03de5b&sr=11.565446)\n\nTwo stars were absent. [Greta Garbo](https://www.edgepedia.org/greta-garbo)'s contract stipulated that she could only be starred alone in a film or co-starred with a male player, so she did not appear; a planned scene for her from [George Bernard Shaw](https://www.edgepedia.org/george-bernard-shaw)'s \"Saint Joan\" was scrapped when she decided that Anna Christie would be her first sound film.[2](https://www.tcm.com/articles/88202/the-hollywood-revue-of-1929) • [6](https://www.classicmoviehub.com/facts-and-trivia/film/the-hollywood-revue-of-1929-1929/) [Lon Chaney](https://www.edgepedia.org/lon-chaney) also did not appear, which modern sources attribute to his failing health, although the film still included a Gus Edwards number titled \"Lon Chaney Will Get You If You Don't Watch Out.\"[1](https://catalog.afi.com/Film/9787-THE-HOLLYWOODREVUEOF1929?cp=1&pos=0&sid=5e7df2b8-737c-4c4e-85a7-14a3db03de5b&sr=11.565446)\n\n## Reception\n\nThe film was a hit. [The New Yorker](https://www.edgepedia.org/the-new-yorker)'s John C. Mosher, reviewing it at the Astor in August 1929, called it \"the most extravagant and extensive musical comedy so far presented by the talking pictures\" and \"blessedly without plot,\" while noting that the celebrities appeared only briefly and that the sound quality varied.[7](https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/1929/08/24/score-two-for-hollywod) The New York Times predicted that such entertaining films would seriously hamper the attendance of live theater, and Mark Hellinger wrote in the [New York Daily News](https://www.edgepedia.org/new-york-daily-news) that as an example of what the talking film had done to the legitimate theater, the revue was \"pretty nearly the last word.\"[2](https://www.tcm.com/articles/88202/the-hollywood-revue-of-1929) • [5](https://emanuellevy.com/review/hollywood-revue-of-1929-the-1929-1/) Dave Kehr of the Chicago Reader later described it as MGM's entry in the cycle of all-star studio revues that came with the advent of sound, and by far the most popular of them.[8](https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/hollywood_revue_of_1929)\n\nAt the Academy Awards for 1928/29 the film was nominated for Best Picture, then called Production, and lost to another MGM musical, [The Broadway Melody](https://www.edgepedia.org/the-broadway-melody); the other nominees were Alibi, In Old Arizona, and The Patriot.[5](https://emanuellevy.com/review/hollywood-revue-of-1929-the-1929-1/)\n\n## Legacy and status\n\nThe revue stands as a document of the early talkie period, when sound cinema was still a novelty and Hollywood was transposing stage formats to the screen. A 1929 German-language version, Wir Schalten um auf Hollywood, was reshot for that market.[3](https://www.silentera.com/PSFL/data/H/HollywoodRevueOfNinete1929.html) Modern viewers encounter the film's technical limits: a reviewer in 2019 described the surviving picture as rough, with cut-off framing, low contrast, and poor sound.[9](https://www.christian-sauve.com/2019/09/the-hollywood-revue-of-1929-1929/) On Rotten Tomatoes it holds a 43% Tomatometer from 7 reviews and a 17% audience score, with critics treating it as a historical artifact rather than entertainment.[8](https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/hollywood_revue_of_1929) The Silent Era listing records that a print exists as a 16mm reduction positive and that the film is in the public domain in the United States.[3](https://www.silentera.com/PSFL/data/H/HollywoodRevueOfNinete1929.html)\n\n## References\n\n1. [The Hollywood Revue of 1929 (1929), AFI Catalog of Feature Films](https://catalog.afi.com/Film/9787-THE-HOLLYWOODREVUEOF1929?cp=1&pos=0&sid=5e7df2b8-737c-4c4e-85a7-14a3db03de5b&sr=11.565446)\n2. [Roger Fristoe, \"The Hollywood Revue of 1929,\" Turner Classic Movies](https://www.tcm.com/articles/88202/the-hollywood-revue-of-1929)\n3. [The Hollywood Revue of 1929 (1929), Progressive Silent Film List, Silent Era](https://www.silentera.com/PSFL/data/H/HollywoodRevueOfNinete1929.html)\n4. [\"Hooray for Hollywood,\" A New Yorker State of Mind](https://newyorkerstateofmind.com/2018/08/24/hooray-for-hollywood/)\n5. [\"Hollywood Revue of 1929, The (1929): MGM Early Sound Musical, Oscar Nominated,\" Emanuel Levy](https://emanuellevy.com/review/hollywood-revue-of-1929-the-1929-1/)\n6. [Facts about \"The Hollywood Revue of 1929,\" Classic Movie Hub](https://www.classicmoviehub.com/facts-and-trivia/film/the-hollywood-revue-of-1929-1929/)\n7. [John C. Mosher, \"Score Two for Hollywood,\" The New Yorker, August 24, 1929](https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/1929/08/24/score-two-for-hollywod)\n8. [The Hollywood Revue (1929), Rotten Tomatoes](https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/hollywood_revue_of_1929)\n9. [Christian Sauvé, \"The Hollywood Revue of 1929 (1929),\" 2019](https://www.christian-sauve.com/2019/09/the-hollywood-revue-of-1929-1929/)\n\n---\n*Topic: Encyclopedia › Arts and culture › Screen and stage › Film and television › Films and standalone screen works › Individual films by title and year › Musical and music films (individual works) › Musical films of the 1930s to 1960s*\n\n*Initially written Oct 3, 2026 · Reviewed: Oct 25, 2026 · Edited: Oct 15, 2026; Oct 25, 2026; Nov 1, 2026 · Last review: Oct 25, 2026*\n\n*Copyright 2026 EdgeChat AI, a subsidiary of Biostate AI.*\n\nLicense: Edgepedia Community License 1.0, https://www.edgepedia.org/edgepedia/license\n", "same_as": [], "url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/hollywood-revue-of-1929", "markdown_url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/hollywood-revue-of-1929.md", "license": { "name": "Edgepedia Community License 1.0", "url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/edgepedia/license", "summary": "Free with credit, commercial use included. AI training is open to everyone. For other uses, organizations over USD 100M in revenue or 100M monthly users license separately.", "spdx": "LicenseRef-Edgepedia-Community-1.0" }, "credit": "\"Hollywood Revue of 1929\", Edgepedia (EdgeChat), https://www.edgepedia.org/hollywood-revue-of-1929. Edgepedia Community License 1.0.", "credit_md": "\"[Hollywood Revue of 1929](https://www.edgepedia.org/hollywood-revue-of-1929)\", Edgepedia (EdgeChat), [https://www.edgepedia.org/hollywood-revue-of-1929](https://www.edgepedia.org/hollywood-revue-of-1929). [Edgepedia Community License 1.0](https://www.edgepedia.org/edgepedia/license).", "credit_html": "\"Hollywood Revue of 1929\", Edgepedia (EdgeChat), https://www.edgepedia.org/hollywood-revue-of-1929. Edgepedia Community License 1.0.", "speakable": "The Hollywood Revue of 1929 is MGM's plotless all-star early talkie revue, directed by Charles Reisner, produced by Harry Rapf, emceed by Jack Benny and Conrad Nagel, and remembered for introducing \"Singin' in the Rain.\"" }