Wonder Bar
(1934)
84-85 mins | Drama | 31 March 1934
Cast:
Al Jolson, Kay Francis, Dolores Del Rio [ More ]Director:
Lloyd BaconCinematographer:
Sol PolitoEditor:
George AmyProduction Designers:
Jack Okey, Willy PoganyProduction Company:
First National Pictures, Inc.The American version of the play, which opened in New York on 17 Jay 1931, was adapted from the German by Irving Caesar and Aben Kandel. Al Jolson's contract called for him to receive 10% of the film's gross receipts. This was one of the top moneymaking films of the year. According to FD, Irving Kahal and Sammy Fain were originally set to write the music. Ruby Keeler, Adolphe Menjou, Bette Davis, Ann Dvorak and Barbara Stanwyck were considered for parts. According to modern sources, Warner Bros. submitted an incomplete version of the film to the MPPDA, assuring the officials that the missing footage "contained nothing to worry about." The completed print, however, contained a scene where an effeminate man cut in on a dancing couple and danced away with the man. Despite pressure from Joseph I. Breen, Public Relations Director of the MPPDA, Warner Bros. refused to eliminate the footage. According to modern sources, Frank Borzage was originally scheduled to direct this film. ...
The American version of the play, which opened in New York on 17 Jay 1931, was adapted from the German by Irving Caesar and Aben Kandel. Al Jolson's contract called for him to receive 10% of the film's gross receipts. This was one of the top moneymaking films of the year. According to FD, Irving Kahal and Sammy Fain were originally set to write the music. Ruby Keeler, Adolphe Menjou, Bette Davis, Ann Dvorak and Barbara Stanwyck were considered for parts. According to modern sources, Warner Bros. submitted an incomplete version of the film to the MPPDA, assuring the officials that the missing footage "contained nothing to worry about." The completed print, however, contained a scene where an effeminate man cut in on a dancing couple and danced away with the man. Despite pressure from Joseph I. Breen, Public Relations Director of the MPPDA, Warner Bros. refused to eliminate the footage. According to modern sources, Frank Borzage was originally scheduled to direct this film.
Popular Parisian nightclub the Wonder Bar is run by Al Wonder, who is also the star performer. He and his band leader Tommy are both in love with dancer Ynez, but she only has eyes for her partner, gigolo Harry. Harry, however, does not return her love and is carrying on a flirtation with Liane Renaud, the wife of a banker. Liane has given him an expensive necklace to pay for dancing lessons, which Harry intends to sell in order to finance a trip to the United States. At the Wonder Bar one evening, Liane's husband joins her and hints that the insurance company will investigate the lost necklace. Liane asks Harry for the necklace and insists that she will leave the country with him. Harry sells the necklace to Al, who talks Liane out of leaving her husband, and returns the necklace to her. He hopes that with Harry gone, Ynez will turn to him. Meanwhile, two American couples flirt with the gigolos and gigolettes of the club. Captain Von Ferring, having lost all his money, announces that he will commit suicide that evening. When Harry tells Ynez that he is leaving without her, Ynez stabs him during their dance number. Harry dies, but Al tells Ynez that she has only wounded him. He puts the body in Von Ferring's car and, when Von Ferring drives it over a cliff, the police think that both men were killed in the crash. During Al's last number, Tommy convinces Ynez to come back to him. Al will not stand in their way and goes home alone ...
Popular Parisian nightclub the Wonder Bar is run by Al Wonder, who is also the star performer. He and his band leader Tommy are both in love with dancer Ynez, but she only has eyes for her partner, gigolo Harry. Harry, however, does not return her love and is carrying on a flirtation with Liane Renaud, the wife of a banker. Liane has given him an expensive necklace to pay for dancing lessons, which Harry intends to sell in order to finance a trip to the United States. At the Wonder Bar one evening, Liane's husband joins her and hints that the insurance company will investigate the lost necklace. Liane asks Harry for the necklace and insists that she will leave the country with him. Harry sells the necklace to Al, who talks Liane out of leaving her husband, and returns the necklace to her. He hopes that with Harry gone, Ynez will turn to him. Meanwhile, two American couples flirt with the gigolos and gigolettes of the club. Captain Von Ferring, having lost all his money, announces that he will commit suicide that evening. When Harry tells Ynez that he is leaving without her, Ynez stabs him during their dance number. Harry dies, but Al tells Ynez that she has only wounded him. He puts the body in Von Ferring's car and, when Von Ferring drives it over a cliff, the police think that both men were killed in the crash. During Al's last number, Tommy convinces Ynez to come back to him. Al will not stand in their way and goes home alone at the end of the night.
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