Going Hollywood

Going Hollywood

Year: 1933

Runtime: 78 mins

Language: English

Director: Raoul Walsh

MusicComedyRomance

Enamored by the radio voice of singer Bill Williams, Sylvia, a French teacher at an all‑girls school, decides to travel to Hollywood to thank him in person. Her quest for romance soon faces complications when her friend Lili becomes an unexpected obstacle, threatening to derail her plans. She hopes the trip will finally bring the love she seeks.

Warning: spoilers below!

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Timeline & Setting – Going Hollywood (1933)

Explore the full timeline and setting of Going Hollywood (1933). Follow every major event in chronological order and see how the environment shapes the story, characters, and dramatic tension.

Time period

1930s

The film is set during the early era of sound cinema, when Hollywood's studio system defined careers and spectacle. Musical numbers, production pressures, and public romance reflect the era's entertainment culture. The plot weaves between on-set happenings and the social whirl surrounding a film's creation, characteristic of classic studio-era comedies.

Location

Hollywood, Grand Central Terminal, New York, Tijuana, Paris

The story centers in Hollywood's studio system, with the Independent Art Studio as the key production hub. It also features the bustling atmosphere of a train departure from Grand Central Terminal in New York, marking the journey into the film capital. Scenes shift to foreign locales like Tijuana and Paris as the plot advances and romance and ambition collide.

🎬 Studio setting 🏙 City life 🎭 Film production

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 19:29

Main Characters – Going Hollywood (1933)

Meet the key characters of Going Hollywood (1933), with detailed profiles, motivations, and roles in the plot. Understand their emotional journeys and what they reveal about the film’s deeper themes.

Sylvia Bruce (Marion Davies)

An infatuated schoolteacher who follows a popular crooner to Hollywood, Sylvia is driven by longing and naive optimism. She quickly proves to be resourceful and quick-witted, using clever schemes to secure a part in the film. Her loyalty and resolve are tested as romance and professional ambition collide.

🎬 🎭 💖

Bill 'Billy' Williams (Bing Crosby)

A beloved film crooner whose charm brings him into Sylvia's orbit. He wrestles with career pressures and romantic entanglements, ultimately deserting the film to join Lili before reconsidering his choices. His wavering choices drive the drama between love and professional duty.

🎶 💔 🌟

Lili Yvonne (Fifi D'Orsay)

The leading lady whose temperament and perceived lack of talent threaten the production. She clashes with Sylvia and ultimately faces replacement, only to return as the creative tensions peak. Her vanity and volatility catalyze the film's central conflict.

💃 🎭 🔥

Conroy (Ned Sparks)

The director whose concerns about talent and alignment with the star drive much of the studio's decision-making. He navigates the balance between artistic vision and the producers' demands, often reacting to the crisis with sharp wit. His involvement anchors the production's pressure and pace.

🎬 🎯 🧭

Ernest Pratt Baker (Stuart Erwin)

A pragmatic promoter and producer who helps steer the film's course. He fires Lili to hire Sylvia, managing the studio's casting instincts and commercial sensibilities. His actions reflect the cut-throat nature of showbiz decision-making.

💼 🧠 🎭

Jill (Patsy Kelly)

Sylvia's friend and roommate who offers support in the backstage world of Hollywood. She embodies the social ally who anchors Sylvia amid chaos and reveals the camaraderie that underpins the film community. Her presence adds warmth to the studio's competitive atmosphere.

🤝 🗣️ 🏡

Three Radio Rogues (The Radio Rogues)

A notable impersonation act featured in the studio sequence, adding a meta-commentary on performance and media culture. Their bits echo the film's broader theme of showmanship and mimicry within entertainment. Their presence underscores how radio and stage acts intersect with cinema.

🎙️ 🎭 🌀

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 19:29

Major Themes – Going Hollywood (1933)

Explore the central themes of Going Hollywood (1933), from psychological, social, and emotional dimensions to philosophical messages. Understand what the film is really saying beneath the surface.

✨ Dreams

Dreams of fame and romance propel Sylvia and others toward Hollywood's glittering yet demanding world. The narrative tracks how ambition can blur lines between personal affection and professional opportunity. It also shows how success is often built through perseverance, reinvention, and a willingness to take risks in a competitive industry.

🎭 Identity

Impersonation and masked personas drive much of the comedy and conflict. Sylvia performs as Lili and mimics her rival, highlighting how performance and public image shape perceptions. The story uses these swaps to comment on celebrity culture and the performative nature of stardom.

🎬 Showbiz Chaos

Behind-the-scenes politics, casting decisions, and studio power struggles shape the plot. Directors, producers, and promoters navigate egos and deadlines, revealing a system where art is often balanced against commercial demands. The musical numbers and production spectacle amplify the chaos and charm of early Hollywood.

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 19:29

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Explore Movie Threads

Discover curated groups of movies connected by mood, themes, and story style. Browse collections built around emotion, atmosphere, and narrative focus to easily find films that match what you feel like watching right now.

Star-struck romantic quests like in Going Hollywood

Bold characters who chase a dream of love into a glamorous new world.If you enjoyed the charming determination in Going Hollywood, you'll love these other movies about following your heart. Discover films where characters embark on romantic journeys to glamorous locales, seeking love and a new life against a backdrop of music and spectacle.

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Narrative Summary

These stories follow a linear, optimistic quest narrative. A protagonist, often from a humble background, becomes enamored with someone famous or a glamorous lifestyle. They take a bold leap of faith, traveling to a new world (like Hollywood) where they must prove themselves, navigate lighthearted rivalries, and ultimately win both love and personal fulfillment.

Why These Movies?

This thread groups movies that share a core narrative of romantic ambition and a lighthearted, hopeful tone. They blend the excitement of a fish-out-of-water story with the timeless appeal of a classic romance, all set against a backdrop of glamour and performance.

Classic Hollywood backstage musicals like Going Hollywood

Glamorous stories of love and ambition set against the spectacle of putting on a show.Fans of the glamour and energy of Going Hollywood will enjoy this collection of classic backstage musicals. Explore movies from the golden age of cinema that blend romance, comedy, and spectacular musical performances set in the exciting world of theater and film.

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Narrative Summary

The narrative structure is typically straightforward, using the 'putting on a show' framework to introduce characters and conflicts. Romance blossoms amidst rehearsals, complicated by jealousy or misunderstandings, but always resolved in time for a grand finale where love and the show are triumphant.

Why These Movies?

These films are united by their vibrant setting, their reliance on musical performance as a key narrative device, and their consistently light, upbeat tone. They offer a nostalgic escape into a world of glamour, where personal dramas are always secondary to the joy of the performance.

Unlock the Full Story of Going Hollywood

Don't stop at just watching — explore Going Hollywood in full detail. From the complete plot summary and scene-by-scene timeline to character breakdowns, thematic analysis, and a deep dive into the ending — every page helps you truly understand what Going Hollywood is all about. Plus, discover what's next after the movie.

Going Hollywood Summary

Read a complete plot summary of Going Hollywood, including all key story points, character arcs, and turning points. This in-depth recap is ideal for understanding the narrative structure or reviewing what happened in the movie.

Going Hollywood Summary

Going Hollywood Timeline

Track the full timeline of Going Hollywood with every major event arranged chronologically. Perfect for decoding non-linear storytelling, flashbacks, or parallel narratives with a clear scene-by-scene breakdown.

Going Hollywood Timeline

Going Hollywood Spoiler-Free Summary

Get a quick, spoiler-free overview of Going Hollywood that covers the main plot points and key details without revealing any major twists or spoilers. Perfect for those who want to know what to expect before diving in.

Going Hollywood Spoiler-Free Summary

More About Going Hollywood

Visit What's After the Movie to explore more about Going Hollywood: box office results, cast and crew info, production details, post-credit scenes, and external links — all in one place for movie fans and researchers.

More About Going Hollywood

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