The Voice of Hollywood

In 1930, Poverty Row studio Tiffany Productions began releasing the weekly series The Voice of Hollywood. These rare and unique shorts feature some of Hollywood's biggest names in a format that would later be emulated by both Paramount (Hollywood On Parade) and Columbia (Screen Snapshots). With the advent of sound, formerly silent screen stars were eager to prove their vocal skills on camera, and waived their usual paycheck for the chance to appear. With that idea in mind, each segment is presented as a radio broadcast from Station S*T*A*R, in Hollywood, California.

Don Alvarado introduces two grown-up members of the original Our Gang, Mickey Daniels and Mary Kornman, while Mexican Spitfire Lupe Velez sings a spicy Latin number.

Reginald Denny presents a performance by famed female impersonator Julian Eltinge, while Anita Page and Julia Faye discuss the latest fashions (for women). Bobby Vernon provides musical accompaniment on ukulele and trumpet.

Nick Stewart hosts, and Mildred Harris (the first Mrs. Charlie Chaplin) performs a lovely tune. "Hell's Angel" Ben Lyon comes down to Earth to make his wife, Bebe Daniels, an honorary corporal in the United States Air Force.

Taylor Holmes introduces Harry Jolson (Al's brother), who relates his recent adventures to Lola Lane. Harry Langdon attempts to impress with his vocal skills in front of the microphone, but quickly forgets what he was going to say.

Robert Woolsey (of Wheeler & Woolsey) introduces Al St. John, who sings a pretty ditty with Nancy Welford. Buster Keaton and his partner, Cliff "Ukulele Ike" Edwards, find out a day at the zoo isn't all it's cracked up to be.

Ernest Hilliard, representing the All-Year Hat Club, attempts to sell a new chapeau to host Lloyd Hamilton, while Leatrice Joy shares a Parisian bedtime story.

Pat O'Brien takes us to a parade down Hollywood Boulevard with Lew Ayres, Genevieve Tobin, Robert Montgomery, William Powell, and Richard Barthelmess. America's Sweetheart, Mary Pickford, is crowned "Queen of the Arts" of the City of Angels.

From the collection of John K. Carpenter (The Movie Man).

Due to the rarity of these films, some picture and sound anomalies do exist.

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