Copyright 23 February 1938 by Samuel Goldwyn. New York opening at the Rivoli, 20 February 1938. Released through United Artists. U.S. release: 4 February 1939 (sic.). Australian release: 9 June 1938. 13 reels. 115 minutes.
SYNOPSIS: Harassed film producer seeks a new star.
NOTES: Academy Award, Edgar Bergen "for his outstanding comedy creation, Charlie McCarthy". Bergen received a wooden statuette. Oddly, although The Goldwyn Follies was his first feature film and not released until early 1938, the award was made at the ceremony (on 10 March 1938) honoring the 1937 year. Bergen had made one-reel shorts for Vitaphone since 1930, including Double Talk (1937).
Also nominated (on 12 February 1939) for Art Direction (The Adventures of Robin Hood), and Best Music Score (Alexander's Ragtime Band).
Screen debut of Vera Zorina. George Gershwin died while writing the film's songs (on 11 July 1937).
Negative cost: nearly $2 million.
COMMENT: No-one would say that The Goldwyn Follies is a good film. It is, alas, despite the beauty of its pastel-toned Technicolor photography, often plain dull or even irritatingly banal. Partly despite and partly because of the over-strenuous efforts of its cast, it is at best a mixed blessing.
There are so many things wrong with the movie (flat direction, thin script, over-zealous acting, ho-hum choreography, unfunny comics, a sissy hero, never-never-land sets — have you ever seen a hamburger stand so impossibly squeaky clean?), it's a miracle that the total effect is one of a slightly bemused ennui rather than anger or loathing.
Fortunately, it's impossible to put good tunes down. Both "Love Walked In" and "Love Is Here To Stay" are so delightfully catchy and melodious, we can even excuse the circumstances in which they are introduced. And thanks to Miss Leeds and the decorative Goldwyn girls — and the rewarding efforts of Messrs Toland and Rennahan — the picture is always attractive to look at. And it has a certain nostalgia value.
In fact, if you're prepared to be indulgent and overlook its many shortcomings, The Goldwyn Follies has such undeniable charm it's almost entertaining. If only it were not so dull!
SYNOPSIS: Harassed film producer seeks a new star.
NOTES: Academy Award, Edgar Bergen "for his outstanding comedy creation, Charlie McCarthy". Bergen received a wooden statuette. Oddly, although The Goldwyn Follies was his first feature film and not released until early 1938, the award was made at the ceremony (on 10 March 1938) honoring the 1937 year. Bergen had made one-reel shorts for Vitaphone since 1930, including Double Talk (1937).
Also nominated (on 12 February 1939) for Art Direction (The Adventures of Robin Hood), and Best Music Score (Alexander's Ragtime Band).
Screen debut of Vera Zorina. George Gershwin died while writing the film's songs (on 11 July 1937).
Negative cost: nearly $2 million.
COMMENT: No-one would say that The Goldwyn Follies is a good film. It is, alas, despite the beauty of its pastel-toned Technicolor photography, often plain dull or even irritatingly banal. Partly despite and partly because of the over-strenuous efforts of its cast, it is at best a mixed blessing.
There are so many things wrong with the movie (flat direction, thin script, over-zealous acting, ho-hum choreography, unfunny comics, a sissy hero, never-never-land sets — have you ever seen a hamburger stand so impossibly squeaky clean?), it's a miracle that the total effect is one of a slightly bemused ennui rather than anger or loathing.
Fortunately, it's impossible to put good tunes down. Both "Love Walked In" and "Love Is Here To Stay" are so delightfully catchy and melodious, we can even excuse the circumstances in which they are introduced. And thanks to Miss Leeds and the decorative Goldwyn girls — and the rewarding efforts of Messrs Toland and Rennahan — the picture is always attractive to look at. And it has a certain nostalgia value.
In fact, if you're prepared to be indulgent and overlook its many shortcomings, The Goldwyn Follies has such undeniable charm it's almost entertaining. If only it were not so dull!