Hal Erickson
2009-01-17 18:13:43 UTC
While cruising thru the Internet Archives, I came across a 1945 PRC comedy
feature titled
HOLLYWOOD AND VINE. Maltin's book rates it a "bomb" and comments that it
looks like
it was shot in a closet, but it really isn't that bad, and it appears that
PRC rented out the Hal
Roach studios for its exterior shots (with plenty of extras).
The script, cowritten by character actor Charley Williams (IT'S A WONDERFUL
LIFE)--who
also plays a supporting role as an accident-prone movie stuntman--is a
trifle, occasionally an incoherent one. Told in flashback as hillbilly
billionaire Emmet Lynn explains how he made his fortune (which remains
unexplained!), it's the story of a screenwriter (James Ellison) and an
aspiring starlet (Wanda McKay) who hit it big in Hollywood when their pet
dog (played by Daisy of BLONDIE fame) becomes an animal star. The cast
includes such notables as Franklin Pangborn, Ralph Morgan, June Clyde, Leon
Belasco, Robert Grieg, Dewey Robinson, Billy
Benedict, and, as an attorney, an unbilled but very florid Charles Middleton
(the opposing counsel is played by the ubiquitous Cyril Ring, who actually
has dialogue and a character name this time!) Also on hand is famed
restauranteur-phony nobleman Prince Michael Romanoff, as himself.
So what's the Laurel and Hardy connection?
Well, much to my surprise, I discovered that the musical score was written
by MARVIN HATLEY, some five years after being dropped by Hal Roach. It's
extremely Hatley-esque, with lavish orchestrations and heavy on the "Mickey
Mouse" accompaniment in the comedy scenes.
As a bonus, the leitmotif for the "Daisy" character is a variation on
Hatley's composition "Window Shade" (or is it "Pull the Shade?") from
BLOCK-HEADS--and there are also easily
recognizable "quotes" from WAY OUT WEST and A CHUMP AT OXFORD.
Every day, life brings its little treasures!
--Hal E
feature titled
HOLLYWOOD AND VINE. Maltin's book rates it a "bomb" and comments that it
looks like
it was shot in a closet, but it really isn't that bad, and it appears that
PRC rented out the Hal
Roach studios for its exterior shots (with plenty of extras).
The script, cowritten by character actor Charley Williams (IT'S A WONDERFUL
LIFE)--who
also plays a supporting role as an accident-prone movie stuntman--is a
trifle, occasionally an incoherent one. Told in flashback as hillbilly
billionaire Emmet Lynn explains how he made his fortune (which remains
unexplained!), it's the story of a screenwriter (James Ellison) and an
aspiring starlet (Wanda McKay) who hit it big in Hollywood when their pet
dog (played by Daisy of BLONDIE fame) becomes an animal star. The cast
includes such notables as Franklin Pangborn, Ralph Morgan, June Clyde, Leon
Belasco, Robert Grieg, Dewey Robinson, Billy
Benedict, and, as an attorney, an unbilled but very florid Charles Middleton
(the opposing counsel is played by the ubiquitous Cyril Ring, who actually
has dialogue and a character name this time!) Also on hand is famed
restauranteur-phony nobleman Prince Michael Romanoff, as himself.
So what's the Laurel and Hardy connection?
Well, much to my surprise, I discovered that the musical score was written
by MARVIN HATLEY, some five years after being dropped by Hal Roach. It's
extremely Hatley-esque, with lavish orchestrations and heavy on the "Mickey
Mouse" accompaniment in the comedy scenes.
As a bonus, the leitmotif for the "Daisy" character is a variation on
Hatley's composition "Window Shade" (or is it "Pull the Shade?") from
BLOCK-HEADS--and there are also easily
recognizable "quotes" from WAY OUT WEST and A CHUMP AT OXFORD.
Every day, life brings its little treasures!
--Hal E