Wonder Bar 1934

Wonder Bar


First National / Vitaphone, 1934, B/W, 84 minutes, ***½

Released March, 1934



An all-star Warner Bros. extravaganza set in a Paris nightclub where club owner Al Jolson and bandleader Dick Powell fall for dancer Delores Del Rio, who is fond of stage partner Ricardo Cortez, who in turn is pursued by rich Kay Francis. Among the lavish musical numbers, with choreography by Busby Berkeley, are "Don't Say Goodnight," "Why Do I Dream Those Dreams" and "Goin' to Heaven on a Mule".



Wonder Bar first appeared on Broadway in 1931, and toured in 1931-1932.



Fun film! Jolie's chat with a Russian is a scream! This film shows Jolson as the great showman he was. His numbers are the best in the film, and his high-energy (nearly frenetic) personality fills the screen with electricity whenever he appears!



Producer: Robert Lord

Directed by: Lloyd Bacon

Based on the Play by Geza Herczeg, Karl Farkas and Robert Katscher

Adaptation and Screen Play by Earl Baldwin

Numbers Created and Directed by: Busby Berkeley

Music and Lyrics by: Harry Warren and Al Dubin

Vitaphone Orchestra Conducted by: Leo F. Forbstein

Art Directors: Jack Okey & Willy Pogany

Gowns by: Orry-Kelly

Photographed by: Sol Polito

Film Editor: George Amy



Cast: Al Jolson [Al Wonder], Kay Francis [Liane], Dolores Del Rio [Ynez], Ricardo Cortez [Harry], Dick Powell [Tommy], Guy Kibbee [Simpson], Ruth Donnelly [Mrs. Simpson], Hugh Herbert [Pratt], Louise Fazenda [Mrs. Pratt], Hal LeRoy [Himself], Fifi D'Orsay [Mitzi], Merna Kennedy [Claire], Henry O'Neill [Richards], Robert Barrat [Capt. von Ferring], Henry Kolker [Mr. Renaud], Spencer Charters [Pete], Additional Cast: Kathryn Sergava [Ilka], Gordon DeMain, Harry Woods [Detectives], Marie Moreau [Maid], George Irving [Broker], Emile Chautard [Concierge], Pauline Garon [Operator], Mahlon Norvell [Artist], Alphonse Martell [Doorman], Mia Ichioka [GeeGee], William Granger, Bud Jamison [Bartenders], Rolfe Sedan [Waiter], Eddie Kane [Frank], Edward Keane [Captain], Jane Darwell [Baroness], Demetrius Alexis, John Marlowe [Young Men], Billy Anderson [Call Boy], Hobart Cavanaugh [Drunk], Dave O'Brien [Chorus Boy], Dennis O'Keefe [Man at Bar], Gino Corrado [Waiter], Grace Hayle [Fat Dowager], Gordon Elliott [Norman], Paul Power [Chester], Dick Good [Page Boy], Michael Dalmatoff [Count], Renee Whitney, Amo Ingraham, Rosalie Roy [Chorus Girls], Lottie Williams [Wardrobe Woman], Clay Clement, William Stack [Businessmen], Gene Perry [Gendarme], Louis Ardizoni [Cook], Robert Graves [Police Officer], Alfred P. James [Night Watchman]



Musical Program: [0:00] Overture (played by Orchestra behind titles); [0:05] Why Do I Dream Those Dreams (short excerpt sung by Dick Powell); [0:14] Vive La France (sung by Al Jolson); [0:16] instrumental dance number danced by guests of the Wonder Bar; [0:21] Don't Say Goodnight (production number sung by Dick Powell and Chorus; danced by Dolores Del Rio, Ricardo Cortez and Chorus); [0:33] instrumental dance number danced by guests of the Wonder Bar; [0:36] Wonder Bar (played in background by Orchestra); [0:42] Ochi Tchornya (Dark Eyes) (sung by Al Jolson with a little help from the audience); [0:44] Wonder Bar (sung by Dick Powell, danced by guests of the Wonder Bar); [0:48] Why Do I Dream Those Dreams (sung by Dick Powell); [0:57] Tango del Rio (The Gaucho Dance) (instrumental number danced by Dolores Del Rio and Ricardo Cortez); [1:05] Wonder Bar (played by Orchestra, a couple bars sung by Al Jolson); [1:06] Goin' to Heaven on a Mule (sketch sung by Al Jolson and Chorus, danced by Chorus); sources indicate the instrumental dance numbers are "All Washed Up," "You're So Divine" and "Elizabeth," but I don't know which is which.