Stars on Parade
Cast & Crew
Lew Landers
Larry Parks
Lynn Merrick
Ray Walker
Jeff Donnell
Robert Williams
Film Details
Technical Specs
Synopsis
Dance team Danny Davis and Dorothy Dean are discouraged by their inability to find work in motion pictures, and confide their disappointment to Billy Blake, assistant to the head of Mamoth Pictures. When Billy tells them that there is not enough time or money to test all the talent in Hollywood, Danny and Dorothy decide to conduct their own auditions in a vacant salesroom at an automobile agency and present the best talent in a showcase for producers. Swamped by hopefuls, Danny and Dorothy are overwhelmed until they hear the inspired singing of the Golden Slippers. Exhausted, Danny returns home to his boardinghouse, where he is accosted by two drunks weaving across his path. After thoroughly exasperating Danny, the two suddenly sober up, introduce themselves as Frank and Jean Hubert and explain that the drunken act was part of their stage routine. Fatigued after a second day of auditions, Danny and Dorothy go to a cabaret to relax. There, Jerry Browne, an assistant director, extolls the virtues of singer Judy Clark. As pressure on the pair continues to mount, Danny accepts the help of socialite Nan McNair, who offers to publicize the event as a benefit. One day, as Danny and Dorothy are rehearsing their own dance number, Billy comes to their headquarters with the news that the studio has decided to lend them sets and equipment. They are interrupted when an untalented girl arrives to audition. When Dorothy convinces the girl to abandon show business and return home to her sweetheart, Billy is so impressed by her persuasive powers that he tells her she should stop dancing and become an actress. Offended by Billy's suggestion, Dorothy upbraids him, and when he apologizes, she gives him an affectionate kiss. From the next room, Danny sees the kiss and, misunderstanding Dorothy's intentions, becomes jealous and goes to a nearby café to get drunk. During the final days of rehearsal, Danny simmers with unspoken jealousy. On the night of the big show, he refuses to perform and sarcastically assures Dorothy that her boyfriend Billy will make her a star. Overhearing the conversation, Jerry finds Billy and together they confront Danny in his dressing room. When he refuses to listen, Jerry knocks him out so that the makeup man can finish applying his makeup. While Billy pushes Dorothy onstage, Jerry convinces the now conscious Danny that the kiss was totally platonic. Danny then joins Dorothy onstage and they are greeted by thunderous applause. Some time later, Dorothy and Danny are viewing their new picture in the Mamoth Pictures projection room.
Director
Lew Landers
Cast
Larry Parks
Lynn Merrick
Ray Walker
Jeff Donnell
Robert Williams
Selmer Jackson
Edythe Elliott
Mary Currier
Danny O'neil
Frank And Jean Hubert
The Chords
King Cole Trio
Judy Clark
The Ben Carter Choir
Byron Foulger
George Humbert
Cecil Weston
Brian O'hara
George Eldredge
Teddy Mangean
Eddie Laughton
Art Miles
Eddie Bruce
Sam Flint
Babe Green
Isabel Withers
Dippy Diers
Nelson Mcdowell
Jerome Franks Jr.
Jack Gardner
Jo Ann Marlowe
Clarence Muse
Pauline Drake
Early Cantrell
Marilyn Johnson
Dick Winslow
Buddy Yarus
Bob Lowell
Jessie Arnold
John Tyrrell
Crew
Harry Akst
John Alston
Lionel Banks
Monte Brice
Irving Briskin
Lew Brown
Anita Carroll
Benny Carter
Johnny Clark
Mack David
Benny Davis
Dave Franklin
John Goodrich
Walter Holscher
Al Jolson
Alex Kramer
Jack Lawrence
Wallace Macdonald
Mayes Marshall
Paul Mcgrane
Ray Nazarro
L. W. O'connell
John W. Pascoe
Sam H. Stept
Al Stillman
Jerome Thoms
Skeets Tolbert
Joan Whitney
Film Details
Technical Specs
Quotes
Trivia
Notes
The working title of this film was Calling All Stars. Although a Hollywood Reporter news item and a March 3, 1944 production chart credit Will Jason with direction, a March 10, 1944 production chart lists Lew Landers as director, and Landers receives sole credit in Columbia production materials and reviews.
