Hollywood, 1930's - Film 15703

Hollywood bus tour in the 1930s. A man in a bowler hat examines an NRA member sticker on the side of the open topped bus. The NRA was part of Franklin Roosevelt's New Deal plan set up after the Wall Street crash of 1929 to combat the massive levels of unemployment. The bus driver exhorts people to join the tour. Two young women approach him and join the tour. Medium shot of the bus in profile with Hollywood emblazoned on it. The occupants of the bus are seen enjoying Hollywood Boulevard. Three stars alight from a car, including Jack Oakie and Jimmy Durante. They are watched eagerly by the occupants of the bus. Durante with woman and a man. The bus cruises by the expensive houses owned by Hollywood stars. Panning shots of these houses with a wide variety of architectural styles. Swimming pool in grounds. Joan Crawford wearing a revealing dress leaves her house and walks towards a car. A chauffeur stands by. A woman with a dog waves at her. Jean Harlow walking with a man. She takes a brief walk outside and is photographed with an unidentified man. She sits at a table with this man and two older people. The passengers on the bus see a young baby sitting in a very small covered wagon being pulled along by two dogs. The bus passes through the famous arch at Paramount Pictures in Hollywood. Randolph Scott marches with some sailors. Extras in evening dress parade by the camera. Gary Cooper and Fredric March pass by the camera. Both smoke cigarettes. A series of unidentified actors and actresses pass by the camera. Marx Brother Harpo holds the hand of a small boy or girl. Two sailors and a small monkey dressed in a sailor's uniform. Good brief close-up of Harpo Marx. Maurice Chevalier, with his arm in a sling, talks to a group of people. A young girl dressed as Mae West parades up and down the bus. Cary Grant joins her on the bus. The two exchange a joke. The bus visits the set of a film in progress. The two sailors on the bus comment on the drama. The bus journey is concluded. Superimposed over the NRA is the face of Franklin D. Roosevelt. A sophisticated attempt to harness the Hollywood system showing how it supports the return to work campaign being waged by Roosevelt.