Footlight Varieties
| Footlight Varieties | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Directed by | Hal Yates Doran Cox (assistant) |
| Screenplay by | Hal Yates Felix Adler |
| Produced by | George Bilson |
| Starring | Jack Paar Leon Errol |
| Cinematography | J. Roy Hunt Frank Redman Jack MacKenzie G. W. Bitzer Arthur Marvin |
| Edited by | Edward W. Williams Jay Whittredge |
| Music by | Constantin Bakaleinikoff |
Production company | |
Release date |
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Running time | 61 minutes |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
Footlight Varieties, also called Variety Footlights is the third of four titles in the RKO series of variety films, combining previously filmed shorts with new musical numbers, plus monologues by master of ceremonies Jack Paar. The new footage was directed by Hal Yates and written by Yates and Felix Adler.
In addition to Paar, the new footage includes performances by The Sportsmen quartet, Liberace, Jerry Murad's Harmonicats, Red Buttons, Grace Hartman, flamenco dancer Inesita, and comic trick photography by Weegee. The older sequences are taken from the Leon Errol two-reel comedy He Forgot to Remember, a Flicker Flashbacks silent-movie revival (with new narration by Paar), a Frankie Carle musical short (Carle Comes Calling), and a production number with eccentric dancers Buster West and Melissa Mason (from Radio City Revels)
Footlight Varieties was followed by the fourth and final film in the "musical revue" series, Merry Mirthquakes, which received a limited release in 1953. Liberace appeared in new footage showcasing his piano performances, and he introduced three RKO comedy shorts.
Plot summary
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Footlight Varieties is structured as a variety show hosted by Jack Paar, who serves as master of ceremonies and provides introductions and commentary between acts. The film combines newly filmed performances with previously produced RKO shorts integrated into the variety format.
The new segments include musical performances by Liberace on piano, vocal numbers by The Sportsmen quartet, harmonica music by Jerry Murad's Harmonicats, comedy routines by Red Buttons, flamenco dancing by Inesita, and comic photography demonstrations by Weegee. The pre-existing material consists of the Leon Errol comedy short "He Forgot to Remember," a "Flicker Flashbacks" silent film compilation with narration by Paar, the musical short "Carle Comes Calling" featuring Frankie Carle, and a dance number by Buster West and Melissa Mason from "Radio City Revels." Paar's hosting segments provide continuity between the various acts, maintaining the theatrical variety show format throughout the film's runtime.
Cast
[edit]- Jack Paar as Host
- Liberace as Liberace
- Inesita as Gypsy Dancer
- Red Buttons as Red Buttons
- Mamie Van Doren as Blonde in Theater (as Joan Olander)
Reception
[edit]Variety gave the picture a good review, complimenting both Jack Paar's hosting abilities, as well as the production value by George Bilson.[2]
References
[edit]- ^ "Footlight Varieties: Detail View". American Film Institute. Archived from the original on March 29, 2014. Retrieved September 17, 2014.
- ^ "Film Reviews: Footlight Varieties". Variety. March 28, 1951. p. 16. Retrieved September 9, 2023.