Practically the entire picture is set to a conga beat, and even the spotlights arcing over the streets of Hollywood get into the act as the fun begins on the floor of Ciro's, the famous L.A. nightspot. Cary Grant asks cigarette girl Greta Garbo for a light, which she strikes off of her enormous shoe. Johnny Weissmuller hands his evening coat to a hot coat-check girl, revealing his Tarzan outfit underneath. James Cagney, Humphrey Bogart and George Raft seem to planning some sort of nefarious caper, but then it turns into a game of penny pitching, with the tough mugs behaving more like little kids. Harpo gives Garbo a hotfoot, and her only response is an extremely unenthusiatic “Ow."
Master of Ceremonies Bing Crosby (continually bothered by a jockey and his horse, a visual reminder of his notorious gambling tendencies) introduces Maestro Leopold Stokowski (a nod to Disney?) who breaks his orchestra into... another conga?
James Stewart is brilliantly portrayed battling temptation from a sarong clad Dorothy Lamour. Too hot for Mr. Stewart as she steps onto the dancefloor, she causes him to rush from the table, leaving a sign stating “Mr. Smith Went to Washington" on the tabletop. And, of course, Avery's running gag with Gable dancing/chasing the beautiful blonde (a disguised Groucho, for whatever reason. He also did this in The Coo Coo Nut Grove) about the room pretty much constitutes the only “plot" that the film possesses, but who cares?
When Sally Strand (actually Rand) performs her bubble dance, the film goes crazy as Avery marks another step in the evolution of his Red Hot Riding Hood character at MGM.
The film is fairly bursting with quality moments, all built off of the marvelous caricature work of Ben Shenkman, who previously did the lampooning work in Friz Freleng's Malibu Beach Party (1940). But where that rather enjoyable film was still somewhat low-key in its approach, Avery's later attempt at the genre goes full-bore in its loving attack on Hollywood personality.
There are no fewer than 44 clear cameos built into this picture, and they unceasingly pile on top of each other until the supposedly still-incomplete ending. (There are rumors that a scene at the tail end of the film where Gable wiggles his ears at a transvestial Groucho Marx was considered a bit too risque and was unceremoniously cut at the last minute.)
Use the video below to view Warner Bros. Hollywood Steps Out
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