Here’s the thing about movies that are So Bad They’re Good.
They usually have a ridiculous plot, yet there’s an earnestness about them that endear you. Sometimes the plots beggar belief (e.g. Plan 9 from Outer Space), but it’s the incredulousness that keeps you watching.
Then you have a movie like Hollywood Story (1951). This film, directed, surprisingly, by William Castle, is a low-key affair loosely based on the real-life murder of Hollywood director William Desmond Taylor in 1922.
(Taylor was officially found dead in his home the morning of February 2, 1922, although he’d been murdered the night before. There are some unusual circumstances surrounding this murder, such as the delay in notifying the police and a possible tampering of the murder scene. The case remains Unsolved To This Day.)
In Hollywood Story, Richard Conte plays a New York filmmaker who visits Los Angeles. He’s scouting around for Movie Ideas, and he stumbles upon the unsolved 1929 murder of a director. Conte becomes mildly obsessed with this murder, and decides to make a film about it.
However, not everyone wants Conte digging around in this business, and his life is soon in Danger.
Sounds like a great premise, right? It is! There are lots of suspects and secrets, as well there should be in a Hollywood murder mystery.
But.
The pacing of the film is clunky, and there are some pretty significant plot holes. We also kept wondering how the energy of the film might change if police lieutenant Richard Egan were cast in the role of the NYC filmmaker.
The ending is a Letdown, as well, because there aren’t enough clues throughout the story to make a reasonable guess re: the murderer.
However.
All of this, oddly enough, contributes to it being a Must See film for classic movie fans. The movie is a mess, but what unsolved murder isn’t messy? There’s no clear direction for the characters to follow, because the Trail is So Old.
So all this fumbling gives us an unexpected bonus: A loving tour of silent-era Hollywood.
No one’s seen this bullet hole before? Image: IMDb
When Conte first arrives in Hollywood, he’s given access to the studio bungalow of the murdered director. And hey look! All deceased’s papers and belongings are still here! “This is where they found the body,” says the chatty security guard, who clearly has no compunctions about letting Just Anyone In.
As word about the film gets Around Town, real celebs from the silent era show up at the studio casting office, because they, too, are curious what Conte is uncovering in regards to the murder. These stars include Francis X. Bushman, William Farnum, and Betty Blythe.
Filming locations for Hollywood Story include The Roosevelt Hotel, the old Chaplin studio, Santa Monica pier, Ciro’s Restaurant, and Grauman’s Chinese Theatre. It’s like a time-travelogue; when you see all these famous Hollywood landmarks, it almost doesn’t matter what the plot is.
Should you see this film? If you’re a fan of Old Hollywood, or a William Castle completist, then definitely Yes. If, however, you’re after a well-paced, solid mystery, you may want to pass.
Hollywood Story: starringRichard Conte, Julie Adams, Richard Egan. Directed by William Castle. Written by Frederick Kohner & Frederick Brady. Universal Pictures, 1951, B&W, 77 mins.
I always enjoy your posts, but I especially appreciate this one because I stumbled upon The Hollywood Story last year, watched about a half hour of it, and then gave up. But you can bet I’ll be giving it another chance now!
The Chaplin Studio?! I will check it out for sure. By the way, A cast of Killers by Sidney Kirkpatrick follows King Vidor’s own attempt to solve the murder. Worth reading if you have not already.
A lot of folks forget that William Castle labored for years as a contract B movie director before he became the famous bombastic showman with his bag of marketing tricks. I don’t think I’ve seen Hollywood Story, but at least the premise is intriguing. Watched the Castle-directed New Orleans Uncensored with Arthur Franz and Beverly Garland, and that wasn’t bad (not to mention the vintage NOLA scenery). Like some of the other people who’ve commented, I’ll probably keep an eye out for it on TCM and at least give it a try.
I’m one of those who frequently overlooks Castle’s earlier works. I hope you get the chance to see Hollywood Story – I think the footage of L.A. back in the day is worth it.
I was torn too. This film is, in a way, a love letter to the silent era & I wondered if it’d be disrespectful to include in this blogathon. But it’s just not a well-done film. The premise deserved better. But then, there’s all that great footage of 1950’s LA…
I’ve been a fan of The Haunting of Hill House and The Tingler for years but have only recently started to investigate Castle’s other films. Hollywood Story certainly doesn’t sound like what I consider typical Castle but I’m still intrigued to check it out.
This is awesome. 😂 What a fantastic blogathon. Sorry I missed it. There are so many movies like this. They are a hot mess but a must see. I’ve got to check out the other contributions. Thanks for sharing this one, Ruth.
I enjoyed this so much–it seems like it would be worth it for the silent film and history angles alone, even if it is a bad movie. Thanks again for joining the blogathon! It’s always a pleasure. 🙂
Silver Screenings 
I always enjoy your posts, but I especially appreciate this one because I stumbled upon The Hollywood Story last year, watched about a half hour of it, and then gave up. But you can bet I’ll be giving it another chance now!
LikeLiked by 1 person
It’s not a very slick production, but if you can hang in there, you might find some reward.
LikeLike
The Chaplin Studio?! I will check it out for sure. By the way, A cast of Killers by Sidney Kirkpatrick follows King Vidor’s own attempt to solve the murder. Worth reading if you have not already.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Ooh – the book sounds really good. Thanks for recommending!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hi. If it shows up on TCM, maybe I’ll give it a go.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Give it a go, but you have to hang in there. It’s not the smoothest film ever made, but there are some treats in store.
LikeLiked by 1 person
This post got me intrigued! I’ll definitely keep an eye out for this one
LikeLiked by 1 person
As movies go, this is a bit of a clunker, but I thought it was marvelous to see footage of old Hollywood.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Great review!
I’ve never heard of Hollywood Story, but now I totally want to see it!
Plus, I do enjoy William Castle!
LikeLiked by 1 person
There are some good William Castle-ish moments, but I don’t think he’d quite hit his stride yet with this film. Even so, you still have to see it!
LikeLike
A lot of folks forget that William Castle labored for years as a contract B movie director before he became the famous bombastic showman with his bag of marketing tricks. I don’t think I’ve seen Hollywood Story, but at least the premise is intriguing. Watched the Castle-directed New Orleans Uncensored with Arthur Franz and Beverly Garland, and that wasn’t bad (not to mention the vintage NOLA scenery). Like some of the other people who’ve commented, I’ll probably keep an eye out for it on TCM and at least give it a try.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’m one of those who frequently overlooks Castle’s earlier works. I hope you get the chance to see Hollywood Story – I think the footage of L.A. back in the day is worth it.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Well, the premise sounds interesting and I love Julie Adams!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Julie Adams is wonderful in this film.
LikeLike
Sounds like it’s worth watching for the visuals alone! As an antiques aficionado, one of the reasons I love old movies is for the decor!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oh right – you’d probably glean a lot of decor/set design inspiration from old movies. No wonder your pieces & your home always look so good!
LikeLiked by 1 person
😘
LikeLiked by 1 person
This sounds perfect fodder for this blogathon, and thanks for your advice… I’m torn…
LikeLiked by 1 person
I was torn too. This film is, in a way, a love letter to the silent era & I wondered if it’d be disrespectful to include in this blogathon. But it’s just not a well-done film. The premise deserved better. But then, there’s all that great footage of 1950’s LA…
LikeLiked by 1 person
That does sell it for me, I do like a bad film sometimes just for the scenery and decor.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’ve been a fan of The Haunting of Hill House and The Tingler for years but have only recently started to investigate Castle’s other films. Hollywood Story certainly doesn’t sound like what I consider typical Castle but I’m still intrigued to check it out.
LikeLiked by 1 person
It’s worth checking out. Just hang in there!
LikeLiked by 1 person
This is awesome. 😂 What a fantastic blogathon. Sorry I missed it. There are so many movies like this. They are a hot mess but a must see. I’ve got to check out the other contributions. Thanks for sharing this one, Ruth.
LikeLiked by 1 person
If Rebecca is hosting it again next year, you HAVE to join it.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I really do. (And that banner…) 😂
LikeLiked by 1 person
I enjoyed this so much–it seems like it would be worth it for the silent film and history angles alone, even if it is a bad movie. Thanks again for joining the blogathon! It’s always a pleasure. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, Rebecca. I hope you get the chance to see this film. It really is worth it for classic film lovers – if you can hang in there.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Conte and Castle? It sounds interesting. Plus, I love movies about the movie industry. Thanks for the review! 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
I love movies about movies, too, and this one is worth seeing. You just gotta hang in there
LikeLiked by 1 person
How interesting! You’ve sold me on this one 🙂 I adore movies about movies, too.
LikeLiked by 1 person
This has some great payoffs when it comes to old Hollywood footage, but you gotta hang in there.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hi Ruth! I tagged you for the ‘Flaming Hot…5 Reasons Why’ Tag! Here’s the link to my post:
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks! I’ll drop by to check it out.
LikeLiked by 1 person