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.
| 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 |
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
editThis section needs expansion. You can help by adding to it. (September 2023) |
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
editVariety 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.