Star Dust

Roland Young was riding the crest of his popularity in the "Topper" series of films, and he gives another of his trademark performances in "Star Dust." He happily moved into small character performances the following year, across from Ginger Rogers and Henry Fonda in the mega-hit "Tales of Manhattan," with such an extravaganza of talent that even stars like Young had comparatively minor roles. He was well into his fifties and glad to have steady work without the burden of full stardom.

By this time, 1941, the industry was in full swing, with A List superstars like Rogers and Bogart and Grant commanding enormous salaries thanks to their bankable box office appeal, and "Star Dust" shows the glow that surrounded the Hollywood Myth.

All of the studios had adopted Ginger's mother Lela's idea of in-house acting schools, and the new Hollywood actresses all worked in the stylized 'acting voice' that we hear in "Star Dust" from the very young Linda Darnell. The '40s crop of actresses all adopted this style of voice, from Lana Turner and Rita Hayworth, to Darnell and Tierney, Bergmann and Gardner, with the razor sharp diction and the slightly accented 'T's, a pseudo-dialect that was to hold sway all the way through Marilyn Monroe's era in the '50s, and in television right into the 1980s. The older '30s stars like Rogers and Stanwyck and Colbert maintained their more natural voices for the rest of their careers, and so it's a bit ironic to note that these actresses outlasted all but the biggest of the '40s group.

Look quick to see George Montgomery in a bit part here, early in his career. John Payne is terrific in this lighthearted role, a far cry from his amazing Noir characters a few years later. Fun movie!

The story of a hopeful young woman who wants to become a movie star is given rather clichéd treatment but still manages to be enjoyable fluff thanks to an excellent cast, all doing their best to make the film look better than it really is.

LINDA DARNELL is at her most beautiful as a young aspiring actress who has to wait awhile before she gets the big break that turns her into a movie star. JOHN PAYNE is her love interest, also an actor hoping to make it in Hollywood. Unfortunately, his role also is assigned some comic relief about a broken nose which becomes a running gag throughout the story. Nevertheless, Payne performs his chores in easy style.

The good supporting cast includes ROLAND YOUNG, CHARLOTTE GREENWOOD, DONALD MEEK,WILLIAM GARGAN--and in a bit part GEORGE MONTGOMERY.

Starts out realistically enough but soon becomes mired in a predictable script with too many Hollywood clichés thrown into the mix. But if you're a fan of Linda Darnell, don't miss this one. She's stunning.

Star Dust the film with the famous Hoagy Carmichael-Mitchell Parish song played in the background is loosely based on its star's own story of how she obtained her place in the cinema firmament. Linda Darnell does well in playing a version of herself and we wouldn't see anything like it again until MGM starred Mario Lanza in That Midnight Kiss.

Young Linda plays a would be hopeful who shares a connection with her discoverer. Former comic actor Roland Young now a talent scout for the studio that is headed by William Gargan. Darnell shares a connection to Young through her late mother and he takes a fatherly interest in her career even though at first he tries to discourage her from ever thinking about a show business career.

In that he has a rivalry with another studio executive Donald Meek who is marvelous as a typical 'yes' man. He's got an interest himself in Mary Beth Hughes that's a more prurient interest and he'll damage Darnell to promote Hughes.

John Payne is also on hand as an All American football player who is another of Young's discoveries. His character is without a doubt based on Johnny Mack Brown who tore up the playing fields for the Crimson Tide of Alabama before coming to Hollywood. Payne gets an opportunity to sing one forgettable song in Star Dust. Singing the title song is yet another of Young's discoveries Mary Healy who is helped along by studio drama coach Charlotte Greenwood.

Though Payne and Darnell are the leads and the film is based somewhat on Darnell's own story the film is really driven by the rivalry between Young and Meek. Star Dust shows both its young leads off to good advantage and Darnell's place in Hollywood was certainly secure.

"Star Dust" is a highly fictionalized story about two* young people who want to make it in moving pictures. One is a 17 year-old who has a LOT of ambition and gumption (Linda Darnell) and the other is a college football player with a lovely tenor voice (John Payne). They are spotted by a talent scout (Roland Young) and at first he's interested in Darnell...though it turns out he knew and was in love with her mother long ago, and he's afraid she'll get hurt. Regardless, they arrive in Hollywood where their biggest obstacle is another talent scout (Donald Meek) who is determined to sink these prospects. Can they somehow STILL make it?

I think the biggest reason for this film was to highlight the very young Darnell...who really was 17 and just signed to a contract with Twentieth Century-Fox. And, while the studio in the film is called Amalgumated, it's really Twentieth Century-Fox...and the studio head (William Gargan) plays the Daryle Zanuck sort of role.

Overall, this is a nice, fun film and although Darnell's big scene that impressed everyone at the end seemed overacted, it works well. In many ways, it's like "A Star is Born"...though not quite on the level of this classic film.

*There is a third Hollywood hopeful (Mary Beth Hughes), though he part is VERY small in comparison to the other two.

Really cute flick of young girl determined to make it as an actress in that wicked town of Hollywood.The sleaziness of the business is glossed over to make it into a more Cinderella type story.Charlotte Greenwood is fun as the motherly dramatic coach,Roland Young is amusing as the talent scout.Mary Healy sings the title song with gusto,and John Payne is fun as an aspiring actor.George Montgomery has nice bit as a failed actor.This was in the sweet phase of Darnell's career before she morphed into more adult,sultry roles.Linda was a real beauty,no nose bobs,implants or capped teeth for her.She was a sad case of the Hollywood system failing her.After Darryl Zanuck lost interest in promoting her,her career never got back on track.All this despite her fine comedic talent she displayed in later films.