The Star Reporter in Hollywood: A weird, dusty time capsule

Is this actually worth watching?

Look, if you’re a total sucker for 1930s Hollywood fluff, you might get a kick out of this. If you value your time or get annoyed by people talking in that weird, fast-paced 'radio announcer' voice, skip it. It’s barely a movie; it’s more like an extended, slightly awkward commercial for studio talent.

Ted Husing is our host, and he walks around with the kind of stiff enthusiasm that makes you wonder if he’s being paid in ham sandwiches. He’s looking for the 'next big thing' in the film capital. It feels less like a documentary and more like a staged parade.

There’s this kid, Joey Rardin. He makes noises with his mouth that are supposed to sound like an orchestra. It’s one of those bits that was probably mind-blowing in a vaudeville tent but just feels bizarre and kind of lonely on screen. You watch him and think, 'Who told him this was a good idea?'

Then Dorothy Lamour pops up. She’s charming, sure, but the whole setup is so thin it practically evaporates. It reminds me of the weird pacing in Bear Shooters—things just sort of happen, one after another, without much glue holding it all together.

Oddly specific observations:

• Husing’s hair is suspiciously perfect, even when he’s standing in the middle of a dusty lot.
• There’s a moment where a child actor—Bennie Bartlett—looks directly into the lens like he’s waiting for someone to finally let him go home for dinner.
• The editing feels like someone just chopped up a bunch of leftover film strips and hoped for the best.

I couldn't help but compare the lack of narrative flow here to the disjointed energy found in The Midnight Girl. It’s not that they’re the same, just that they both suffer from that 'we have a camera, let’s film *something*' syndrome. It’s a weird, hollow feeling.

The movie gets slightly better when it stops trying to act like a serious investigation of talent. When they just let the people perform and shut up, it’s tolerable. But then Husing comes back with more 'golly gee' commentary and ruins the vibe again.

It’s not a deep dive. It’s a snapshot of a PR department doing their jobs. Maybe that's interesting if you like history, but honestly? It’s mostly just a weird, clunky artifact. 🎞️

I found myself checking my phone halfway through, which is never a great sign. It’s a movie that feels very long for being so very short.