Hollywood Cavalcade, 1939, August 23, 2012

Thursday, August 23 – 7:30 PM
HOLLYWOOD CAVALCADE, 1939, 20th Century Fox, 97 min. Dirs. Irving Cummings, Malcolm St. Clair. In Daryl Zanuck’s pet project, 20th Century Fox Golden Girl Alice Fay is Molly Adair, a toiling New York stage actress who is lured into the fledgling motion picture business in 1913 by an ambitious young director (Don Ameche). Her career rises and his declines as the film takes us through the silent years, recreating productions of the slapstick comedies that defined the era - from Keystone Cops to pies in the face, bathing beauties and finally the first sound movie, THE JAZZ SINGER. It’s a treat to see the real Buster Keaton and Al Jolson play themselves re-creating elements of their own careers - in Technicolor! Renowned slapstick director Mack Sennett served as technical advisor and the scenario is said to be a thinly-veiled version of his love story with actress Mabel Normand. Also with silent cinema legend Rin Tin Tin. [35mm] This installment of our Egyptian Theatre 90th anniversary screening series did not premiere at the Egyptian; instead, the film features a glimpse of the Egyptian in 1941. It serves as the site of the premiere of the film within the film!

Official Website: http://www.americancinemathequecalendar.com/egyptian_theatre_events