Despite Selznick's claim he himself came up with the idea for this film about film (always a popular category in this house - must watch
Two Weeks In Another Town again) - the original draft of 'It Happened in Hollywood' is clearly by Wellman and Bob Carson (the judge taking the Hollywood star to task for drunk driving was directly from Wellman's own experience!) Further writing then came from Dorothy Parker and Alan Campbell. It's a tough story with an especially cynical character in Lionel Stander's PR man and May Robson's pragmatic grandmother, who suggests she's only been pushing her grand-daughter so she can enjoy the high life herself...
Wonderful subdued early Technicolor photography (W. Howard Greene winning a special Oscar), Lansing Holden (production design) and Lyle Wheeler (art direction). Great effects / paintings by Jack Cosgrove e.g.the 'sunset' and the billboard that miraculously changes in mid-shot. Max Steiner scored it, and Selznick mucked about with it,
Janet Gaynor and Fredric March are good as the doomed couple; with Adolphe Menjou (strangely sympathetic producer), Andy Devine, Edgar Kennedy (landlord). And, very briefly, Franklin Pangborn.
It's a one of a kind, better than both remakes.
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| W Howard Greene leaning on the camera, Wellman in front. |
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