Hollywood Hotel

Hollywood Hotel

Year: 1937

Runtime: 109 mins

Language: English

Director: Busby Berkeley

ComedyMusicRomanceSong and danceLegendary musicians and stardom

After being passed over for a coveted role, diva Mona Marshall refuses to attend her film’s premiere. Her agent recruits look‑alike Virginia Stanton to take Mona’s place, pairing her with aspiring songwriter Ronnie Bowers. A series of mix‑ups and mistaken identity propel Ronnie and Virginia on a chaotic quest for fame in Hollywood.

Warning: spoilers below!

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Timeline & Setting – Hollywood Hotel (1937)

Explore the full timeline and setting of Hollywood Hotel (1937). Follow every major event in chronological order and see how the environment shapes the story, characters, and dramatic tension.

Time period

Location

Hollywood, California, Orchid Room, Callahan's Drive-In

The action unfolds primarily in Hollywood, California, the epicenter of movie-making and celebrity culture. Key locations include the Orchid Room, a nightclub where stars mingle, and Callahan's Drive-In, a working-class venue that becomes a launchpad for Ronnie's music career. The story also moves through the studio lot and premiere events, illustrating the glamorous yet competitive world of film publicity.

🎬 Hollywood 🎭 Glamour 🎶 Showbiz

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 19:43

Main Characters – Hollywood Hotel (1937)

Meet the key characters of Hollywood Hotel (1937), with detailed profiles, motivations, and roles in the plot. Understand their emotional journeys and what they reveal about the film’s deeper themes.

Ronnie Bowers (Dick Powell)

A saxophonist-singer who arrives in Hollywood with a rising star dream. He is enthusiastic and a bit naive, swept up in a glamorous but unstable showbiz world. His quick adaptation to singing and his growing romance with Virginia propel his career, culminating in a performance that proves his genuine appeal.

🎷 Musician 🎤 Performer 💫 Dreamer

Mona Marshall (Lola Lane)

A temperamental star who guards her parts and resents rivals. Her jealousy triggers the decision to substitute a double, revealing Hollywood's vulnerability to control and image management. She embodies the capricious, high-maintenance side of fame.

🎭 Diva 🌀 Jealousy

Virginia Stanton (Rosemary Lane)

A stand-in who becomes involved with Ronnie, starting as a practical imposter and evolving into a real love interest. She navigates the pressure of being anonymous in the star-system while seeking recognition and genuine affection.

👗 Supporting 💖 Love interest

Alexander Duprey (Alan Mowbray)

A longtime screen partner to Mona whose singing cues are orchestrated behind the scenes. He represents the opportunistic creative who is overshadowed by public drama yet remains central to the film's musical performances.

🎙️ Singer 👔 Veteran

B. L. Faulkin (Grant Mitchell)

Studio boss and master manipulator who orchestrates the double, manages Ronnie's contract, and ultimately decides his fate. He embodies the business side of fame, prioritizing profits and image over truth.

💼 Executive 🪙 Power

Fuzzy Boyle (Ted Healy)

A photographer who positions Ronnie for success, often through questionable schemes. He embodies the aggressive publicity tactics and the comic chaos that accompanies showbiz schemes.

📢 Promoter 😂 Comic

Walter Kelton (William B. Davidson)

Director who recognizes Ronnie's talent but is constrained by the studio's machinations. He represents the creative eye in a system that often overrides directorial vision.

🎬 Director 🧭 Gatekeeper

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 19:43

Major Themes – Hollywood Hotel (1937)

Explore the central themes of Hollywood Hotel (1937), from psychological, social, and emotional dimensions to philosophical messages. Understand what the film is really saying beneath the surface.

🎭 Identity

Deception drives the plot: Ronnie and Virginia step into Mona's shoes, and Mona's image is manipulated by the publicity machine. The film explores how audiences and studios build an illusion around a star, and how a real connection can emerge from a constructed persona. The tension between public persona and private desire is a central thread.

🎬 Fame

The story satirizes the Hollywood machine, where a publicist and studio boss manipulate contracts and appearances. A stand-in, a double, and media attention show how quickly a career can be manufactured or sabotaged. The press (represented by Louella Parsons) and the radio program drive Ronnie's rise, underscoring glamour's price.

💘 Romance

Ronnie's and Virginia's romance develops amid deception, as they fall for each other while one is posing as Mona. The relationship tests loyalty and authenticity in a world built on appearances. Love complicates professional ambitions and changes Ronnie's trajectory from a niche performer to a headline act.

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 19:43

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Unlock the Full Story of Hollywood Hotel

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Hollywood Hotel Summary

Read a complete plot summary of Hollywood Hotel, 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.

Hollywood Hotel Summary

Hollywood Hotel Timeline

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Hollywood Hotel Timeline

More About Hollywood Hotel

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