- Published on
The Broadway Melody - Strong start to the year. Lively and spirited performances. Contained one integrated song “You Were Meant for Me,” and lavish revue numbers which were unrelated to the plot. Highlight is a tap routine on pointe.
Lucky Boy - Lackluster star vehicle for George Jessel. Stilted and sentimental.
Weary River - Flashes of brilliance, but overall a tiresome film. Half talkie/half silent.
Hearts in Dixie - First musical and full-length film to feature an African American cast. Excellent dancing by Stepin Fetchit. Clarence Muse as Pappy is outstanding. Terrific music.
Syncopation - For many people, the first sound film they saw. Funny, well paced, and features a strong cast, and great music. Progressive-leaning story about a woman wanting to break out of her constrictive social class.
The Wolf Song - If I was granted one film to be restored in all its talking and singing glory from 1929, this would be it. Drama, Spanish-style music, beautiful scenery, period costumes, nudity, The Wolf Song had it all.
The Desert Song - Not a masterpiece, but it does provide a glimmer of the potential of movie musicals to be so much more than trite backstage comedies.
Close Harmony - Dramatic, fun, and humorous. The script writing is tight and sassy, with great one-liners and innuendos.
Show Boat - Only avail at UCLA. Prologue featuring the Broadway cast. Film received lackluster reviews.
Mother’s Boy - Lost film. Received terrible reviews - Motion Picture News stated “This is a perfect example of how not to make a talking picture.”
The Rainbow Man - Successful independent film. It is now considered lost.
Innocents of Paris - Critically panned star vehicle for Maurice Chevalier. Not commercially available - it is held by private collectors and possibly Library of Congress.
The Hollywood Revue of 1929 - The first revue-style movie musical. A smash hit. Some spectacular moments, but patchy in quality overall.
Fox Movietone Follies of 1929 - Lost film. First revue style movie musical. Although it did not recoup its costs, the film was a popular draw.
Broadway - A drama with songs. The first million dollar talkie, the first to film with a crane, the first to use tungsten lamps in filming, and the first to use (poor) Spanish dubbing. Visually superior to other films. Strong and interesting female characters.
Fashions in Love - Critically well-received. Deteriorated reels at UCLA.
College Love - Utterly inane, with a cast and crew who were all prominent during the silent era. Lost film.
The Time, The Place, and the Girl - Received mixed reviews. Lost film.
On with the Show - Boring film with lavish dance numbers.
Melody Lane - An inferior replica ofThe Singing Fool and one of the biggest flops of 1929. Lost film.
Smiling Irish Eyes - Lost film. Released six months after it was made, was already considered out-dated and flopped.
The Cocoanuts - Stage to screen adaptation. Gorgeous costumes, wonderful dance routines, and wise-cracking humor.
Say it With Songs - Painful Al Jolson vehicle with an unsatisfying ending.
Broadway Babies - Inane script with innovative choreography by Larry Ceballos.
The Dance of Life - Troubling gender politics aside, the story is touching and tragic and a far cry from the fluff of earlier backstage musicals. Contains an elaborate Follies-style revue finale.
Lucky in Love - Mixed reviews, but commercially successful film for Pathe. Lost.
Words and Music - Made from off-cuts of Fox Movietone Follies of 1929. Lost.
Hallelujah - Second feature film with an all African American cast. While constrained by the racist attitudes of its time, the beautiful cinematography, outstanding music, and truly incredible performances make the film one of the best movie musicals of 1929.
Street Girl - Suffers from slow pacing, but has moments of charm.
Why Leave Home - Based on a stage play. Lost film.
Honky Tonk - Star vehicle for Sophie Tucker. Lost film.
The Great Gabbo - A backstage story with much to commend it. Excellent performances and interesting cinematography.
Rio Rita - Strong script featuring comedy duo Bert Wheeler and Robert Woolsey. Fun to watch.
The Great Divide - A surprising film. Although it is resplendent with Mexican stereotypes and lackluster dancing, the dialogue is witty and the female lead is excellent.
Married in Hollywood - Lost film.
Illusion - Features several female stage veterans. Only available at UCLA.
Sunny Side Up - Delightful film full of good humor and fun. “Turn up the Heat” is a highlight.
Gold Diggers of Broadway - Lost film, though a few reels survive. Contains the now famous tune “Tiptoe Through the Tulips.”
The Trespasser - An astonishing testament to Gloria Swanson’s abilities.
Why Bring That Up? - Well-received star vehicle for vaudeville duo Mack and Moran.
Welcome Danger - Star vehicle for comedian and stuntman Harold Lloyd. Huge hit.
So Long Letty - Cheap, dated, and sexist humor to go with ridiculous songs and zero dancing.
Howdy Broadway - Woeful college musical that flopped at the box office. Amusing to watch today, thanks to how utterly awful it is.
Is Everybody Happy? - Star vehicle for Ted Lewis that was panned by the critics. Lost film.
The Cock-Eyed World - War film parading as a musical.
The General - Lost film, possibly a short.
The Girl from Woolworth’s - Star vehicle for Alice White that did well at the box office. Lost film.
Sweetie - A genuine, light-hearted comedy with great music and dance.
Love, Live, and Laugh - Star vehicle for George Jessel. Although critically well-received, flopped at the box office. Lost.
Footlights and Fools - Star vehicle for Colleen Moore. Delivered average box office numbers and received mixed reviews. Lost.
Paris - An American artist finds love in Paris. Lost.
So This is College - A fun comedy that, apart from pervasive sexism, holds up surprisingly well over time. One of the higher grossing films of 1929.
Tanned Legs - Fluffy on the surface but containing plenty of wonderful music, and a genuine heart at its center.
The Forward Pass - Fourth college football musical of 1929. Short-lived money earner that is now considered lost.
A Song of Kentucky - Contained actual footage of the Kentucky Derby. Critically well-received but not a box office success. Considered lost.
Little Johnny Jones - Star vehicle for Eddie Buzzell. Considered lost.
Broadway Scandals - Forgettable and forgotten. A lost film.
The Show of Shows - The largest of the revue-style musicals. Except for painful race and gender politics, a highly entertaining musical.
Untamed - Joan Crawford’s first talkie, and a truly awful film.
Red Hot Rhythm - Generally well-received backstage musical. Considered lost.
Nix on Dames - A backstage musical that was a critical and commercial success. Notable for having three credited women in the creative team. Considered lost.
The Song of Love - Star vehicle for Belle Barker. Played to average houses. Not commercially available.
The Battle of Paris - Poorly received by the critics, and ignored by audiences. Held by private collectors.
The Vagabond Lover - Star vehicle for Rudy Vallée. Painful, but mercifully short.
The Painted Angel - Star vehicle for Billie Dove. Critically panned, but did well at the box office. Considered lost.
It’s A Great Life - An absolute delight, featuring the talents of The Duncan Sisters.
Glorifying the American Girl - A film riddled with clichés, a terrible script, and lavish revue scenes.
The Talk of Hollywood - An abysmal film resplendent with racism and sexism, a plodding script, and lackluster performances.
Wedding on the Volga - Independent flop featuring players from the Yiddish theatre. Not commercially available.
Pointed Heels - Unlikeable characters, banal plot, and lackluster score. Tedious and forgettable.
Hot for Paris - Critically panned and commercially successful sequel to The Cock-Eyed World. Considered lost.
Devil-May-Care - Worth a watch for the so-bad-it's-brilliant plot, delightful score, and the charming Roman Novarro.
Wedding Rings - Critics hated it, but the audiences loved it. Considered lost.
Blaze o’ Glory - First musical to have a Spanish-language version, Sombras de Gloria. Both versions flopped at the box office.
Lucky Boy - Lackluster star vehicle for George Jessel. Stilted and sentimental.
Weary River - Flashes of brilliance, but overall a tiresome film. Half talkie/half silent.
Hearts in Dixie - First musical and full-length film to feature an African American cast. Excellent dancing by Stepin Fetchit. Clarence Muse as Pappy is outstanding. Terrific music.
Syncopation - For many people, the first sound film they saw. Funny, well paced, and features a strong cast, and great music. Progressive-leaning story about a woman wanting to break out of her constrictive social class.
The Wolf Song - If I was granted one film to be restored in all its talking and singing glory from 1929, this would be it. Drama, Spanish-style music, beautiful scenery, period costumes, nudity, The Wolf Song had it all.
The Desert Song - Not a masterpiece, but it does provide a glimmer of the potential of movie musicals to be so much more than trite backstage comedies.
Close Harmony - Dramatic, fun, and humorous. The script writing is tight and sassy, with great one-liners and innuendos.
Show Boat - Only avail at UCLA. Prologue featuring the Broadway cast. Film received lackluster reviews.
Mother’s Boy - Lost film. Received terrible reviews - Motion Picture News stated “This is a perfect example of how not to make a talking picture.”
The Rainbow Man - Successful independent film. It is now considered lost.
Innocents of Paris - Critically panned star vehicle for Maurice Chevalier. Not commercially available - it is held by private collectors and possibly Library of Congress.
The Hollywood Revue of 1929 - The first revue-style movie musical. A smash hit. Some spectacular moments, but patchy in quality overall.
Fox Movietone Follies of 1929 - Lost film. First revue style movie musical. Although it did not recoup its costs, the film was a popular draw.
Broadway - A drama with songs. The first million dollar talkie, the first to film with a crane, the first to use tungsten lamps in filming, and the first to use (poor) Spanish dubbing. Visually superior to other films. Strong and interesting female characters.
Fashions in Love - Critically well-received. Deteriorated reels at UCLA.
College Love - Utterly inane, with a cast and crew who were all prominent during the silent era. Lost film.
The Time, The Place, and the Girl - Received mixed reviews. Lost film.
On with the Show - Boring film with lavish dance numbers.
Melody Lane - An inferior replica ofThe Singing Fool and one of the biggest flops of 1929. Lost film.
Smiling Irish Eyes - Lost film. Released six months after it was made, was already considered out-dated and flopped.
The Cocoanuts - Stage to screen adaptation. Gorgeous costumes, wonderful dance routines, and wise-cracking humor.
Say it With Songs - Painful Al Jolson vehicle with an unsatisfying ending.
Broadway Babies - Inane script with innovative choreography by Larry Ceballos.
The Dance of Life - Troubling gender politics aside, the story is touching and tragic and a far cry from the fluff of earlier backstage musicals. Contains an elaborate Follies-style revue finale.
Lucky in Love - Mixed reviews, but commercially successful film for Pathe. Lost.
Words and Music - Made from off-cuts of Fox Movietone Follies of 1929. Lost.
Hallelujah - Second feature film with an all African American cast. While constrained by the racist attitudes of its time, the beautiful cinematography, outstanding music, and truly incredible performances make the film one of the best movie musicals of 1929.
Street Girl - Suffers from slow pacing, but has moments of charm.
Why Leave Home - Based on a stage play. Lost film.
Honky Tonk - Star vehicle for Sophie Tucker. Lost film.
The Great Gabbo - A backstage story with much to commend it. Excellent performances and interesting cinematography.
Rio Rita - Strong script featuring comedy duo Bert Wheeler and Robert Woolsey. Fun to watch.
The Great Divide - A surprising film. Although it is resplendent with Mexican stereotypes and lackluster dancing, the dialogue is witty and the female lead is excellent.
Married in Hollywood - Lost film.
Illusion - Features several female stage veterans. Only available at UCLA.
Sunny Side Up - Delightful film full of good humor and fun. “Turn up the Heat” is a highlight.
Gold Diggers of Broadway - Lost film, though a few reels survive. Contains the now famous tune “Tiptoe Through the Tulips.”
The Trespasser - An astonishing testament to Gloria Swanson’s abilities.
Why Bring That Up? - Well-received star vehicle for vaudeville duo Mack and Moran.
Welcome Danger - Star vehicle for comedian and stuntman Harold Lloyd. Huge hit.
So Long Letty - Cheap, dated, and sexist humor to go with ridiculous songs and zero dancing.
Howdy Broadway - Woeful college musical that flopped at the box office. Amusing to watch today, thanks to how utterly awful it is.
Is Everybody Happy? - Star vehicle for Ted Lewis that was panned by the critics. Lost film.
The Cock-Eyed World - War film parading as a musical.
The General - Lost film, possibly a short.
The Girl from Woolworth’s - Star vehicle for Alice White that did well at the box office. Lost film.
Sweetie - A genuine, light-hearted comedy with great music and dance.
Love, Live, and Laugh - Star vehicle for George Jessel. Although critically well-received, flopped at the box office. Lost.
Footlights and Fools - Star vehicle for Colleen Moore. Delivered average box office numbers and received mixed reviews. Lost.
Paris - An American artist finds love in Paris. Lost.
So This is College - A fun comedy that, apart from pervasive sexism, holds up surprisingly well over time. One of the higher grossing films of 1929.
Tanned Legs - Fluffy on the surface but containing plenty of wonderful music, and a genuine heart at its center.
The Forward Pass - Fourth college football musical of 1929. Short-lived money earner that is now considered lost.
A Song of Kentucky - Contained actual footage of the Kentucky Derby. Critically well-received but not a box office success. Considered lost.
Little Johnny Jones - Star vehicle for Eddie Buzzell. Considered lost.
Broadway Scandals - Forgettable and forgotten. A lost film.
The Show of Shows - The largest of the revue-style musicals. Except for painful race and gender politics, a highly entertaining musical.
Untamed - Joan Crawford’s first talkie, and a truly awful film.
Red Hot Rhythm - Generally well-received backstage musical. Considered lost.
Nix on Dames - A backstage musical that was a critical and commercial success. Notable for having three credited women in the creative team. Considered lost.
The Song of Love - Star vehicle for Belle Barker. Played to average houses. Not commercially available.
The Battle of Paris - Poorly received by the critics, and ignored by audiences. Held by private collectors.
The Vagabond Lover - Star vehicle for Rudy Vallée. Painful, but mercifully short.
The Painted Angel - Star vehicle for Billie Dove. Critically panned, but did well at the box office. Considered lost.
It’s A Great Life - An absolute delight, featuring the talents of The Duncan Sisters.
Glorifying the American Girl - A film riddled with clichés, a terrible script, and lavish revue scenes.
The Talk of Hollywood - An abysmal film resplendent with racism and sexism, a plodding script, and lackluster performances.
Wedding on the Volga - Independent flop featuring players from the Yiddish theatre. Not commercially available.
Pointed Heels - Unlikeable characters, banal plot, and lackluster score. Tedious and forgettable.
Hot for Paris - Critically panned and commercially successful sequel to The Cock-Eyed World. Considered lost.
Devil-May-Care - Worth a watch for the so-bad-it's-brilliant plot, delightful score, and the charming Roman Novarro.
Wedding Rings - Critics hated it, but the audiences loved it. Considered lost.
Blaze o’ Glory - First musical to have a Spanish-language version, Sombras de Gloria. Both versions flopped at the box office.
0 Comments