Blondie of the Follies (1932): Goulding’s Pre-Code Comedy, Starring Marion Davies

Edmund Goulding directed Blondie of the Follies, pre-Code comedy written by Anita Loos and Frances Marion.

Mrion Davies stars as Blondie, a New York tenement dweller. When best friend Lurlene makes the cast of a big Broadway show, she arranges for Blondie to join the troupe. But the friendship goes awry when Lurlene’s beau, wealthy Larry Belmont, catches Blondie’s act and falls for the newcomer. Though she is also attracted to Larry, Blondie spurns his attentions out of loyalty, but in the end succumbs to his charm.

In the same year, Goulding directed MGM’s prestigious production, Grand Hotel, which won the Best Picture Oscar, but denied him Best Director.  Goulding had never been nominated for directing Academy Award.

Cast
Marion Davies as Blondie McClune
Robert Montgomery as Larry Belmont
Billie Dove as Lottie Callahan / Lurline Cavanaugh
Jimmy Durante as Jimmy
James Gleason as Pop McClune
ZaSu Pitts as Gertie
Sidney Toler as Pete