The Colossal Movie Studio is heading for bankruptcy, largely due to the efforts of the leading star and director who are secretly in the employ of the nefarious Ivor Nassau, a financier who wants to shut the studio down. Wall Street analytical genius and male ingenue Atterbury Dodd (Leslie Howard) knows something is wrong and decides he has to go to Hollywood to find out what. The fact that he knows nothing about movies doesn't deter him; his confidence in mathematical analysis knows no bounds. Fortunately for him, he meets up with aspiring actress Lester Plum (Joan Blondell) who eventually manages to convince him of the importance of the human element.
The movie starts off with the promise of being a humorously cynical look at the workings of Hollywood, but it fails to deliver anything but a weak and predictable satire. Humphrey Bogart is unconvincing in his role as a tough producer still in love with the star he created. His talents are wasted here, with the exception of one drunk scene which very briefly gives him the chance to demonstrate his considerable comic acting ability. The very talented and likable Leslie Howard and Joan Blondell make the movie watchable, but not anything to go out of your way for. There is also some social commentary on corporate executives and Wall Street mavens who would enrich themselves without concern for workers or shareholders, but there isn't much meat to it.
The movie starts off with the promise of being a humorously cynical look at the workings of Hollywood, but it fails to deliver anything but a weak and predictable satire. Humphrey Bogart is unconvincing in his role as a tough producer still in love with the star he created. His talents are wasted here, with the exception of one drunk scene which very briefly gives him the chance to demonstrate his considerable comic acting ability. The very talented and likable Leslie Howard and Joan Blondell make the movie watchable, but not anything to go out of your way for. There is also some social commentary on corporate executives and Wall Street mavens who would enrich themselves without concern for workers or shareholders, but there isn't much meat to it.