It Happened in Hollywood

It Happened in Hollywood

Year: 1937

Runtime: 67 mins

Language: English

Director: Harry Lachman

ComedyDrama

Hollywood Turns the Camera on its Own Gay, Glamorous, Glittering Self! A silent Western star has trouble adjusting to the coming of sound.

Warning: spoilers below!

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Timeline – It Happened in Hollywood (1937)

Trace every key event in It Happened in Hollywood (1937) with our detailed, chronological timeline. Perfect for unpacking nonlinear stories, spotting hidden connections, and understanding how each scene builds toward the film’s climax. Whether you're revisiting or decoding for the first time, this timeline gives you the full picture.

1

Tim meets Billy at the hospital

Tim Bart, a Hollywood cowboy star of silent films, visits a children's hospital on a publicity trip. There he meets Billy, a young fan about to undergo surgery, and Tim promises that Billy can come to Hollywood to visit once he gets well.

Children's Hospital
2

The rise of talking pictures and Tim's fade

With the advent of talking pictures, many silent stars fail to adapt, and Gloria Gay becomes a rising star while Tim's drawl makes him less appealing. The shift leaves Tim a has-been with few Western roles available.

Hollywood
3

Tim declines a gangster role

A director friend offers Tim a chance in a gangster film, but when a scene requires him to kill a policeman, Tim balks and walks off the set. This moment underscores his reluctance to chase edgier, non-western parts.

Film Studio
4

Billy seeks Tim at his doorstep

Billy tracks Tim down to his doorstep and collapses there, reminding him of the promise he made. Tim resolves to help, keeping Billy's dream of Hollywood alive by inviting him into his world for a while.

Tim's doorstep
5

A party for Billy at the foreclosed ranch

Tim decides to throw a huge party for Billy at his foreclosed ranch, hoping to lift the boy's spirits and salvage something of Tim's stalled career. He enlists a neighbor to help gather the best impersonators they can find.

Tim's Ranch
6

Party disruption and Gloria's arrival

During the party, a bank officer arrives to eject everyone, creating immediate tension. Gloria shows up later, admitting she misses Tim and explaining she hasn't had an acting job in months.

Tim's Ranch
7

Tim contemplates a real comeback through danger

Upset by the interruption and his fading fame, Tim glances toward the gangster era again and begins to wonder if he should try a real heist for a comeback. The idea unsettles him as he weighs his ethics against the lure of quick fame.

Tim's Ranch
8

A real bank robbery turns Tim into a hero

A real gang bursts into the bank where Tim went to confront the manager, and the leader shoots a cop while trying to escape. Tim, a crack shot, fires back and takes down several robbers, emerging as an unexpected hero.

Bank
9

Studio rehiring for talkie westerns

The publicity from the bank incident convinces the studio to rehire Tim to make talkie westerns. He makes his only request: Gloria Gay must be his co-star.

Hollywood Studio
10

Ranch rebought and transformed into a camp

Tim rebuys his ranch and transforms it into a boys' camp, turning his past into a positive legacy. Gloria and young Billy stand by his side as he begins this new, hopeful chapter.

Tim's Ranch
11

Billy visits the camp

With the camp established, Billy gets the chance to visit the place Tim built for him and other kids. Gloria watches over them, proud of Tim's renewed purpose.

Boy's Camp
12

A new life as mentor and family man

Tim's life solidifies as he dedicates himself to mentoring and entertaining the kids at the camp. Gloria and Billy remain at his side, celebrating a future built on purpose rather than celebrity.

Boy's Camp

Last Updated: October 09, 2025 at 11:02

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Characters, Settings & Themes in It Happened in Hollywood

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