Movies on Hollywood
"MOVIES ON HOLLYWOOD"
Below is a list of movies about the Hollywood industry. I am a fan of most of them . . . but not all of them:
"Bombshell" (1933) - This hilarious comedy about a Hollywood starlet in the 1930s was allegedly based upon the life of Clara Bow. But it could have easily been a story about the movie's star - Jean Harlow. This is my favorite role she had ever done. Franchot Tone has a very memorable line in this film.
"Sunset Boulevard" (1950) - This dark comedy-drama about a screenwriter's tragic affair with a Hollywood has-been is one of the best films to ever come out of Hollywood. Directed by Billy Wilder, it starred Gloria Swanson, William Holden, Eric von Stroheim and Nancy Olson.
"The Bad and the Beautiful" (1952) - Vincente Minelli directed this classic about the life of a Hollywood producer (Kirk Douglas) and his impact on the lives of those whose careers he had boosted. Co-stars Lana Turner, Barry Sullivan, Dick Powell, Gilbert Roland and Oscar winner Gloria Grahamme.
"Singin' in the Rain" (1952) - Gene Kelly, Donald O'Connor and Debbie Reynolds star in what many - including me - consider one of the best musicals ever made. It is about how Hollywood's transition from silent films to sound affected the careers of the three leads.
"The Day of the Locust" (1975) - Although not a personal favorite of mine, I must admit that this movie, based upon Nathaniel West's 1939 novel, is a very effective, though slight overwrought tale about the alienation and desperation of a disparate group of individuals whose dreams of Hollywood success during the Great Depression have effectively failed. Starred Karen Black, William Atherton and Donald Sutherland.
"Sweet Liberty" (1986) - I doubt that any movie critic would consider this tale about a historian/author forced to deal with a film crew who comes to town to shoot a film adaption of his book on the Battle of Cowpens during the American Revolutionary War a cinematic great. But this is a personal favorite of mine. It also does a great job of telling how Hollywood changes history for dramatic purposes. The film was directed and written by Alan Alda, and starred Alda, Michael Caine, Bob Hoskins and Michelle Pfeiffer.
"The Player" (1992) - Directed by Robert Altman, this critical hit is about a Hollywood studio executive who is being sent death threats. He believes the threats are sent by a screenwriter whose script he once rejected. The movie starred Tim Robbins and Greta Scacchi.
"Get Shorty" (1995) - Based upon Elmore Leonard's novel, this movie is about Chili Palmer, a small-time Miami loanshark) sent to collect a debt. Palmer ends upon in Los Angeles and becomes interested in the movie industry. Directed by Barry Sonnenfeld, the funny movie starred John Travolta, Gene Hackman, Rene Russo and Danny DeVito.
"RKO 281" (1999) - Liev Schreiber portrayed movie wunderkind Orson Wells in this first-class movie about the making of the actor/director's 1941 classic - "Citizen Kane". Released by HBO, the movie co-starred John Malkovich, James Cromwell, Melanie Griffith and Roy Schneider.
"The Cat's Meow" (2001) - Peter Bogdanovitch directed this fascinating look at William Randolph Hearst's ill-fated 1924 cruise for Hollywood illuminaries that led to the mysterious death of film pioneer, Thomas H. Ince. Edward Hermann, Kirsten Dunst, Eddie Izzard and especially Cary Elwes are worth enjoying, along with Bogdogavitch's direction, Steven Peros' screenplay and Jean-Vincent Puzos' production design.
"Hollywoodland" (2006) - Ben Affleck shined in his portrayal of George Reeves, the actor who became famous as Superman on television in the 1950s. This movie, which also starred Adrien Brody, Diane Lane, Jeffrey DeMunn and Bob Hoskins; is about a down-on-his-luck detective(Brody) investigating the suspicious death of Reeves.
"Tropic Thunder" (2008) - Ben Stiller co-wrote, directed and starred in his hilarious comedy about a group of prima donna actors making a Vietnam War film when their fed-up writer and director decide to abandon them in the middle of the jungle, forcing them to fight their way out. The hilarious Jack Black and even more hilarious Robert Downey Jr. co-starred.