Hollywood Speaks Explained

Hollywood Speaks is a 1932 American Pre-Code comedy film directed by Edward Buzzell and starring Genevieve Tobin, Pat O'Brien and Leni Stengel. It was produced and distributed by Columbia Pictures.

Plot

A despairing young actress is stopped from committing suicide by a gossip columnist who decides to fashion her into a major star.

Cast

• Genevieve Tobin as Gertrude Smith, later known as Greta Swan
• Pat O'Brien as Jimmy Reed
• Lucien Prival as Frederick Landau
• Ralf Harolde as Carp
• Rita La Roy as Millie Coreen
• Leni Stengel as Mrs. Landau
• Anderson Lawlor as Joe Hammond
• Jack Holt as himself

Production

Columbia announced the film in August 1931.^[1]

It was Norman Krasna's first film under his contract with Columbia and he started writing it in April 1932.^[2] The same amount the studio announced Eddie Buzzel would direct and Genevieve Tobin would star.^[3]

Reception

The Los Angeles Times called it a "routine melodrama with little to say of interest."^[4]

External links

• Hollywood Speaks at IMDb
• Hollywood Speaks at TCMDB
• Review of film at Variety

Notes and References

1. PRODUCERS TO WHACK ENEMIES Los Angeles Times August 6, 1931: A9.
2. MANY WRITERS ADDED TO COLUMBIA'S STAFFLos Angeles Times April 17, 1932: B11.
3. FINEST DRAMA DUE ON SCREEN: Los Angeles Times April 25, 1932: A7.
4. Stage and Screen: Los Angeles Times August 21, 1932: B17.