Follow Thru
Encyclopedia
Follow Thru is a 1930 musical comedy film photographed entirely in Technicolor
. It was the second all-color all-talking feature to be produced by Paramount Pictures
. The film was based on the popular 1929 Broadway play of the same name by Frank Mandel and Laurence Schwab. The play ran from January 9, 1929 to December 21, 1929; running for 401 performances. Jack Haley and Zelma O'Neal, who starred in the original musical play, reprised their roles for the film version.
This film one of dozens of musicals made in 1929 and 1930 following the advent of sound, and one of several to feature color cinematography. However, many of these films have been lost or destroyed by the original studios. Follow Thru survives in its entirety and in excellent condition. It has been preserved by the UCLA Film and Television Archive
under the direction of Robert Gitt.
.
Technicolor
Technicolor is a color motion picture process invented in 1916 and improved over several decades.It was the second major process, after Britain's Kinemacolor, and the most widely used color process in Hollywood from 1922 to 1952...
. It was the second all-color all-talking feature to be produced by Paramount Pictures
Paramount Pictures
Paramount Pictures Corporation is an American film production and distribution company, located at 5555 Melrose Avenue in Hollywood. Founded in 1912 and currently owned by media conglomerate Viacom, it is America's oldest existing film studio; it is also the last major film studio still...
. The film was based on the popular 1929 Broadway play of the same name by Frank Mandel and Laurence Schwab. The play ran from January 9, 1929 to December 21, 1929; running for 401 performances. Jack Haley and Zelma O'Neal, who starred in the original musical play, reprised their roles for the film version.
This film one of dozens of musicals made in 1929 and 1930 following the advent of sound, and one of several to feature color cinematography. However, many of these films have been lost or destroyed by the original studios. Follow Thru survives in its entirety and in excellent condition. It has been preserved by the UCLA Film and Television Archive
UCLA Film and Television Archive
The UCLA Film and Television Archive is an internationally renowned visual arts organization focused on the preservation, study, and appreciation of film and television, based at the University of California, Los Angeles. It holds more than 220,000 film and television titles and 27 million feet of...
under the direction of Robert Gitt.
Trivia
- George OlsenGeorge OlsenGeorge Edward Olsen, Sr. was an American band-leader.Born in Portland, Oregon, he played the drums and attended the University of Michigan, where he was drum major. Here he formed his band, George Olsen and his Music, which continued in the Portland area...
and his orchestra played the music for the film and are seen on screen in a cameo appearance during the costume party sequence. - Virginia BruceVirginia BruceVirginia Bruce was an American actress and singer.-Career:Born Helen Virginia Briggs in Minneapolis, Minnesota, she went with her family to Los Angeles intending to enroll in the University of California when a friendly wager sent her seeking film work. She got it as an extra in Why Bring That...
and Frances DeeFrances DeeFrances Marion Dee was an American actress. She starred opposite Maurice Chevalier in the early talkie musical, The Playboy of Paris...
appear as chorus girls during a locker-room number. - This was the first colour movie to credit more than one director.
Songs
- "Button Up Your OvercoatButton Up Your Overcoat"Button Up Your Overcoat" is a popular song. The music was written by Ray Henderson, the lyrics by B.G. DeSylva and Lew Brown. The song was published in 1928, and was first performed later that same year by vocalist Ruth Etting. However, the most famous rendition of this song was recorded early in...
" - "You Wouldn't Fool Me, Would You?"
- "I Want to Be Bad"
- "I'm Hard to Please"
- "A Peach of a Pair"
- "It Must Be You"
Preservation
For a long time, the film was believed to be lost. Fortunately, a print was found in the 1990s and it was carefully restored and preserved by the UCLA Film and Television ArchiveUCLA Film and Television Archive
The UCLA Film and Television Archive is an internationally renowned visual arts organization focused on the preservation, study, and appreciation of film and television, based at the University of California, Los Angeles. It holds more than 220,000 film and television titles and 27 million feet of...
.
Cast
- Charles 'Buddy' Rogers as Jerry Downes
- Nancy CarrollNancy CarrollNancy Carroll was an American actress.-Career:She was christened Ann Veronica Lahiff in New York City. Of Irish parentage, she and her sister once performed a dancing act in a local contest of amateur talent. This led her to a stage career and then to the screen. She began her acting career in...
as Lora Moore - Zelma O'NealZelma O'NealZelma O'Neal was an actress, singer, and dancer in the 1920s and 1930s. She appeared on Broadway and in early sound films, including the Paramount Pictures films Paramount on Parade and Follow Thru ....
as Angie Howard - Jack HaleyJack HaleyJohn Joseph "Jack" Haley was an American stage, radio, and film actor best known for his portrayal of the Tin Man and Kansas farmworker Hickory in The Wizard of Oz.-Career:...
as Jack Martin - Eugene PalletteEugene PalletteEugene William Pallette was an American actor. He appeared in over 240 silent era and sound era motion pictures between 1913 and 1946....
as J.C. Effingham - Thelma ToddThelma ToddThelma Alice Todd was an American actress. Appearing in about 120 pictures between 1926 and 1935, she is best remembered for her comedic roles in films like Marx Brothers' Monkey Business and Horse Feathers, a number of Charley Chase's short comedies, and co-starring with Buster Keaton and Jimmy...
as Mrs Van Horn - Claude KingClaude King (actor)Claude King was an English-born American character actor. With his distinctive wavy hair King appeared on both stage and screen. Began his stage career in his native UK before emigrating to the US. In 1919 he appeared on Broadway in support of Ethel Barrymore in the play Declassee...
as Mac Moore - Kathryn Givney as Mrs Bascomb
- Margaret Lee as Babs Bascomb
- Don Tomkins as Dinty Moore
- Albert GranAlbert GranAlbert Gran was a Norwegian born American movie actor. He is most associated with his appearance in drama and light comedy films....
as Martin Bascomb