THE HIT PARADE aka I'll Reach For A Star (1937) Frances Langford, Phil Regan | Comedy, Drama | B&W

The Hit Parade is a 1937 American musical film directed by Gus Meins and written by Bradford Ropes, Samuel Ornitz and Harry Ruskin. The film stars Frances Langford, Phil Regan, Max Terhune, Edward Brophy, Louise Henry and Pert Kelton. The film was released on April 26, 1937, by Republic Pictures. Republic later reissued the film in 67 minute length as I'll Reach for a Star.

SYNOPSIS
The plot follows Pete Garland as he gets fired by singer Monica Barrett, and out of spite finds Ruth Allison and decides to make her a star, he succeeds, but Ruth has some dark secrets.

Agent Pete Garland (Phil Regan) is fired by society singer Monica Barrett (Louise Henry) after he got her a new radio contract, because she thinks her lawyer friend Teddy Leeds (Monroe Ownsley) fits in better with her social status. To get even, Pete wants to make an unknown singer into a star. He finds Ruth Allison (Francrs Langhord), drives her hard through rehearsals and makes her a star. But she is worried about her past, something she hasn't told Pete: She's an ex-convict and jumped bail in order to keep her partners in crime out of it. Further she's in love with Pete, but feels that he's still carrying a torch for Monica. When Monica's popularity is decreasing, Pete is able to get Ruth a stint on the program, the result is Monica is fired and Ruth get her job, but Monica takes revenge by revealing Ruth's past.

CAST & CREW
Frances Langford as Ruth Allison
Phil Regan as Pete Garland
Max Terhune as Rusty Callahan
Edward Brophy as Mulrooney
Louise Henry as Monica Barrett
Pert Kelton as Eadie White
Pierre Watkin as J. B. Hawley
J. Farrell MacDonald as Sgt. O'Hara
Monroe Owsley as Teddy Leeds
Inez Courtney as Tillie
William Demarest as Parole Officer
George Givot as Herman
Sammy White as Dancer
Paul Garner as Member, The Gentle Maniacs
Sam Wolfe as Member, The Gentle Maniacs
Richard Hakins as Member, The Gentle Maniacs
Yvonne Manoff as Member, The Tic Toc Girls
Mildred Winston as Member, The Tic Toc Girls
Barbara Johnston as Member, The Tic Toc Girls
Carl Hoff as Bandleader of 'The Hit Parade Orchester'
Ivie Anderson as Ivy
Duke Ellington as Duke Ellington
Eddy Duchin as Eddy Duchin
Pat Padgett as Pat of Pick and Pat / Molasses of Molasses and January
Pick Malone as Pick of Pick and Pat / January of Molasses and January
Al Pearce as Al Pearce
Sayle Taylor as The Voice of Experience
Ed Thorgersen as Ed Thorgersen
Ed 'Oscar' Platt as Oscar
Lou Fulton as Elmer
Arlene Harris as Arlene 'Chatterbox' Harris
Stanley Fields as Bedtime Story Man

Directed by Gus Meins
Screenplay by Bradford Ropes, Samuel Ornitz, Harry Ruskin
Story by Bradford Ropes
Produced by Nat Levine
Cinematography Ernest Miller
Edited by Ernest J. Nims, Lester Orlebeck
Music by Alberto Colombo
Production company Republic Pictures
Distributed by Republic Pictures
Release date April 26, 1937
Running time 83 minutes
Country United States
Language English