One thing that viewing Hollywood Boulevard will teach us is that after 80 years the public's appetite for celebrity dirt never ceases. It's what publisher C. Henry Gordon lives on and it's what old time silent film actor John Halliday will bring him a few bucks as the film offers aren't coming in the way they used to.
Halliday refuses to age gracefully and transition to character roles and bits. He also likes to still live large as in his hay day and that costs money. He sells his memoirs which are appearing in Gordon's magazine in segments. Of course those segments are spiced up considerably by Gordon.
It all hits home when Halliday's daughter by one of his many ex- wives Mae Marsh asks Halliday to cease and desist. Marsha Hunt is the daughter and she's going out with aspiring screenwriter Robert Cummings who proves quite a sleuth, especially in sorting out the events of the climax.
Halliday puts a lot of varying emotions into his performance, vanity, arrogance, a tender affection for those near and dear. He's quite the actor and he literally gives the performance of his life. Gordon usually the villain here is a bit more subdued and shows he also has a good side.
A lot of old timers from the silent screen got a pay day here with a ton of walk-ons. One who didn't need the money, but was a friend of Halliday's was Gary Cooper. You'll spot Coop greeting Halliday briefly at the Trocadero Bar.
I will say this though. I can't believe Gordon who was a dirt merchant could have missed one tidbit involving his own family vis a vis Halliday.
Halliday usually in support is fine as the lead. Hollywood Boulevard might have been better and better known if it wasn't from Paramount's B picture unit. Still worth a look.
