Hollywood Hotel

Hollywood Hotel

Year: 1937

Runtime: 109 mins

Language: English

Director: Busby Berkeley

ComedyMusicRomance

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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Explore Movie Threads

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Golden Age Hollywood Comedies like Hollywood Hotel

Romantic comedies set in the glamorous, manic world of show business.If you loved the backstage energy and romantic mix-ups of Hollywood Hotel, discover more movies like it. This collection focuses on classic musical comedies and romantic stories set in the glamorous, fast-paced world of old Hollywood, where ambition and love collide with humorous results.

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Narrative Summary

Stories in this thread typically follow ambitious characters trying to make it in the entertainment industry. The plot is often propelled by a farcical premise—like a look-alike swap or a big lie—that leads to a series of comedic misunderstandings, culminating in public success and true love. The journey is more about charming chaos than deep drama.

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These films are grouped by their shared setting in the world of show business, their lighthearted and playful tone, and their use of musical performances and romantic comedy tropes. They capture a specific, optimistic vision of fame and fortune from a bygone era.

Mistaken Identity Comedies similar to Hollywood Hotel

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Narrative Summary

The narrative pattern hinges on a deception—often well-intentioned—that snowballs into a web of lies and misunderstandings. The protagonist must navigate the increasing complexity of their dual life, leading to amusing scenarios before the truth is inevitably revealed, usually resolving the central conflict and solidifying the romantic relationship.

Why These Movies?

This thread connects films through a specific plot mechanism—mistaken identity—that consistently generates a particular type of light, situational comedy. The shared experience is one of playful suspense and anticipation, watching characters navigate a increasingly tangled web of their own making.

Unlock the Full Story of Hollywood Hotel

Don't stop at just watching — explore Hollywood Hotel 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 Hollywood Hotel is all about. Plus, discover what's next after the movie.

Hollywood Hotel Summary

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Hollywood Hotel Summary

Hollywood Hotel Timeline

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Hollywood Hotel Timeline

Hollywood Hotel Spoiler-Free Summary

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Hollywood Hotel Spoiler-Free Summary

More About Hollywood Hotel

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