The Star Maker (1939) DVD-R

Starring Bing Crosby, Linda Ware, Louise Campbell, Ned Sparks, Laura Hope Crews,
Thurston Hall, Billy Gilbert
Directed by Roy Del Ruth

Print: black/white
Runtime: 94 min.
Genre: musical
Print Quality: B

The Star Maker is the story (with variations) of vaudeville entrepreneur Gus Edwards, here
played by Bing Crosby. Determining that he can attain the uppermost showbiz rungs by
spotlighting new, untried talents, Edwards rises to fame by hiring preteen boys and girls for
his touring acts, the most famous of which is his "schoolroom" routine. Among Edwards'
more prominent discoveries were Eddie Cantor, Georgie Jessel, Bert Wheeler, Walter
Winchell and Mae Murray, none of whom are depicting in the film (though composer Walter
Damrosch is portrayed "By Himself"). Paramount intended The Star Maker as a showcase
for a whole new crop of "stars in the making", though the studio's own discoveries were
destined for obscurity—with the exception of Janet Waldo, who in 1997 was still providing
the voice of Judy Jetson for a series of TV commercials. Louise Campbell provides the
nominal romantic interest as Edwards' super-supportive wife, while a welcome note of
cynicism is introduced by the ineffable Ned Sparks.