Happy Days | 1929 | Musical Comedy

Title: Happy Days | 1930 | Musical Comedy Director: Benjamin Stoloff Studio: Fox Film Corporation Starring: Marjorie White, Charles E. Evans, Richard Keene, Stuart Erwin, Janet Gaynor, Charles Farrell, Victor McLaglen, El Brendel, George Jessel, Dixie Lee, Warner Baxter, Ann Pennington, Betty Grable Based on: Original screenplay by Sidney Lanfield and Edwin J. Burke Release Date: February 13 1930 (New York premiere); general showings in 1930 ; previewed in 1929 Runtime: Approximately 80 minutes Format: Black and white with sound (widescreen Fox Grandeur process) Country: United States Language: English Genres: Musical Comedy --- Chapters: 00:00:00 Margie’s introduction on the showboat 00:10:00 Showboat in financial trouble 00:20:00 Trip to New York for help 00:30:00 Gathering former stars 00:40:00 Revue production begins 00:50:00 Musical performances and minstrel numbers 01:10:00 Showboat rescue and finale --- Summary: Happy Days is an early all-star American musical comedy feature in which Margie, a singer on a showboat facing financial collapse, travels to New York to persuade former performers to reunite for a benefit revue to save the vessel. The film presents a series of musical numbers and performances by popular Fox Film Corporation talent of the era, interwoven with the framing narrative of Margie’s quest to rescue the showboat and bring together the company of entertainers. --- Background: Directed by Benjamin Stoloff for Fox Film Corporation, Happy Days was an example of the revue-style musical films produced during the transitional period from silent to sound cinema, and it was notable for being shot using the Fox Grandeur widescreen process. The film premiered in New York in early 1930, though many sources list it as a 1929 production due to its completion and limited early screenings. --- Trivia: Happy Days was one of the first features shown in the 70 mm Fox Grandeur widescreen process, though surviving prints in that format are not known to exist. The cast includes numerous notable performers under Fox contract, such as Janet Gaynor, Charles Farrell, Victor McLaglen, and a young Betty Grable in an early appearance. The musical format reflects a revue style common to early sound films, blending narrative framing with variety performances. --- Public Domain / Rights: Original Release: February 1930 Original Studio / Distributor: Fox Film Corporation Copyright Status: Public Domain Renewal: Not applicable --- Hashtags: #HappyDays1930 #FoxFilm #MusicalComedy #PreCode #ClassicCinema #PublicDomain