What Price Hollywood?

Infobox Film
name = What Price Hollywood?


image_size = 215px
caption = theatrical poster
director = George Cukor
producer = Pandro S. Berman
David O. Selznick
writer = Story:
Adela Rogers St. Johns
Screenplay:
Gene Fowler
Rowland Brown
Jane Murfin
narrator =
starring = Constance Bennett
Lowell Sherman
music = Max Steiner
cinematography = Charles Rosher
editing = Del Andrews
Jack Kitchin
distributor = RKO
released = June 24, fy|1932
runtime = 88 minutes
country = FilmUS
language = English
imdb_id = 0023686

"What Price Hollywood?" is an American film released in fy|1932, directed by George Cukor, [ [http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0023686/ "What Price Hollywood?"] at the Internet Movie Database] and written by Gene Fowler and Rowland Brown from a story by Adela Rogers St. Johns. The film is a "behind the scenes" look at Hollywood and stars Constance Bennett and Lowell Sherman.

Plot

The film tells the story of Mary Evans (Constance Bennett). She manages to make a good impression on film director Max Carey (Lowell Sherman) and they become friends.

With Carey's help, Evans rises to film stardom as "America's Pal." Carey is happy but he keeps his distance. He's an alcoholic and is certain that his sure fall from grace will hurt Bennett's career.

On a whim Evans marries playboy Lonny Borden (Neil Hamilton), who genuinely loves her but is jealous of the demands made on her by her career.

Borden soon walks out on her, but not before Evans becomes pregnant. She turns to her mentor Carey. She does everything she can to stop his downslide, but it's too late.

In a stark sequence (utilizing slow motion and rapid-fire montage cutting), Carey commits suicide in Evans' bedroom. When his body is found, the ensuing scandal destroys Evans career.

Hoping to heal her emotional wounds, Evans flees to Paris, France with her new child. There she reunites with Borden.

Background

Although the plot of "A Star Is Born" (1937) closely resembles that of "What Price Hollywood?", and both were produced by David O. Selznick, the 1937 picture is not officially a remake. RKO considered filing a plagiarism suit against Selznick International Pictures.

Cast

* Constance Bennett as Mary Evans
* Lowell Sherman as Maximillan 'Max' Carey
* Neil Hamilton as Lonny Borden
* Gregory Ratoff as Julius Saxe
* Brooks Benedict as Muto
* Louise Beavers as Bonita, Mary's Maid

Awards

Nominations
* Academy Awards: Oscar; Best Original Story Writing, Adela Rogers St. Johns and Jane Murfin; 1932.

Notes

External links

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