Going Hollywood (1933) Timeline Explained – Every Event in Order

Sylvia is an infatuated French teacher at an all-girls school who has fallen in love with Bill Williams's radio voice. Hearing him sing on the radio inspires her to travel to Hollywood specifically to thank him in person and pursue the romantic connection she craves.

• Sylvia Bruce
• Bill Williams
• radio voice
• Hollywood
• infatuation

While on the train to Hollywood, Sylvia secures a job as a maid to Bill's French fiancée and leading lady, Lili Yvonne. This position gives her access to Bill's inner circle and allows her to remain close to him despite their different social standings.

• train
• maid
• Lili Yvonne
• Hollywood
• employment

After Lili walks out of the production over the blackface incident, Sylvia impersonates Lili's rendition of "Cinderella's Fella" and parodies Lili's famous tantrums. When Lili returns and witnesses this mockery, a physical fight erupts, resulting in Lili suffering a black eye.

Foreshadowing: Earlier, Lili's temper and refusal to continue unless Sylvia is removed establishes her volatile nature that eventually leads to the confrontation.

• brawl
• Lili
• Sylvia
• black eye
• impersonation
• tantrums

After witnessing the brawl and learning about Sylvia's hidden talents, her ability to both sing and perform, Baker decides to fire the difficult Lili and offers the part to Sylvia. The studio had been struggling with Lili's temperament and lack of talent, making Sylvia a practical replacement.

• Baker
• Lili firing
• Sylvia actress
• replacement
• Independent Art Studio

After Bill takes Sylvia to dinner and a party, they have a quarrel during which Sylvia accuses him of insincerity. Hurt and conflicted, Bill deserts the production and leaves Hollywood with his fiancée Lili, heading to Tijuana where he drinks heavily.

• Bill Williams
• Tijuana
• desertion
• quarrel
• Lili

While in Tijuana, Bill receives a studio ultimatum offering him a replacement. Rather than fighting to keep his role, Lili suggests they fly together to New York and then to Paris, abandoning the film altogether. This reveals Lili's preference for a life of romance and travel over his acting career.

• Lili
• replacement
• New York
• Paris
• ultimatum

Despite Bill's desertion and his relationship with Lili, Sylvia goes to Tijuana to plead with Bill to return to the studio and finish the film. Her effort shows her genuine commitment to both Bill and his career, though she ultimately returns without him.

• Sylvia
• Tijuana
• Bill
• pleading
• studio return

The studio struggles to find a suitable replacement for Bill, and ultimately he reappears at the studio to rejoin the production. His return allows him to work alongside Sylvia in the film's closing sequence, singing "Our Big Love Scene" together.

• Bill Williams
• studio return
• replacement
• Our Big Love Scene

After Baker invites Sylvia to accompany him to a party, he withdraws the invitation when he sees that Bill Williams is also interested in Sylvia. This shifts the romantic dynamics and allows Bill to take Sylvia to the party instead.

• Baker
• party invitation
• Bill Williams
• jealousy

Lili's temper and lack of talent have been causing problems for director Conroy. After the incident where Sylvia, disguised as a fan in blackface, causes tension, Lili refuses to continue unless Sylvia is removed from the set. While she is persuaded to stay temporarily, her behavior remains volatile.

• Lili
• walkout
• Conroy
• director
• temper
• talent