This page presents an annotated, worldwide bibliography of reviews, articles and other published material related to the 1931 film Windy Riley Goes Hollywood (link to LBS filmography page). This American film includes Louise Brooks in the role Betty Grey, an actress. Around the world, this film was exhibited or written about under other titles including Windy Riley Goes to Hollywood (Canada); Windy Rileyová jde Hollywood (Czechoslovakia); and The Gas Bag (England).
As research is ongoing, this page is a work in progress. It is understood that any given citation comes from an American source, unless otherwise noted. The intention of this bibliography is to be both comprehensive and useful. Most citations represent a substantial review or article. Capsule reviews, or significant shorter pieces — usually a paragraph or two in length — are so noted. Entries are arranged chronologically. Critical commentary regarding Brooks, or the film as a whole (excerpted from the material cited) is given as annotations. Some citations link to the material noted: some of these links reside on the Louise Brooks Society, while others reside elsewhere on the web.
Much can be gleamed from a bibliography such as this. Besides what critics thought of the film, one can follow the path of the film’s distribution — where it showed and when; sometimes, for example, the exhibition record might reveal if the film was shown before its official release date. As well, this bibliography shows which critics at which newspapers and magazines reviewed films. History, here, is in the details.
An * indicates that a copy of this citation is held in the archives of the LBS. This annotated bibliography has been compiled by Thomas Gladysz, and was last updated in June 2015. [Help wanted: If you know of additional citations, can provide further information on entries noted on this page, or can provide copies of citations not marked with an * but which are known to exist, please contact the LBS. The LBS would like to acquire additional material on the screening of this film.]
WINDY RILEY GOES HOLLYWOOD
released May 3, 1931
anonymous. “Educational Film Based on Comic Strip.” Film Daily, December 28, 1930. *
— short article
anonymous. “Riley Comic Strip Short Rather Dull.” Hollywood Reporter, January 22, 1931. *
— “Louise Brooks is the star and brings forth the fact that she has an excellent speaking voice, looks very well, and that her forte is not short-reel comedies.” – review in trade journal
anonymous. Film Daily, April 5, 1931.
— article
anonymous. “Five Comedies.” Exhibitor’s Forum, May 5, 1931. *
— passing mention in article
anonymous. “Shorts.” Motion Picture Herald, April 11, 1931. *
— very brief review quoted here in its entirety; “The auto record of Windy Riley from New York to Hollywood and the subsequent excitement at a studio when he works a fake publicity stunt, cannot be rated more than fair. The story by Ken Kling is not at all unusal. Jack Shutta, Louise Brooks, William Davidson, Dell Henderson, Wilbur Mack and Walter Merrill do their best but not very successfully.”
anonymous. “What Press Agents Say About Coming Events.” Toronto Star, May 16, 1931. (Canada) *
— notice of showing in Toronto, Canada (one of a half-dozen screenings in 1931)
Klepper, Robert. “Windy Riley Goes Hollywood.” Classic Images, ?? 1999.
— review of video release
Zimmer, Mark. “Diary of a Lost Girl.” digitallyObsessed.com, November 13, 2001.*
— website review of the Kino Diary of a Lost Girl / Windy Riley Goes Hollywood DVD
Clark, Mike. “New on Video.” USA Today, November 30, 2001.
— review of the Kino Diary of a Lost Girl / Windy Riley Goes Hollywood DVD
Bennett, Carl. “Diary of a Lost Girl.” SilentEra.com, 2001. *
— website review of the Kino Diary of a Lost Girl / Windy Riley Goes Hollywood DVD
Major, Wade. “Diary of a Lost Girl.” Boxoffice Magazine, 2001. *
— review of the Kino Diary of a Lost Girl / Windy Riley Goes Hollywood DVD
Bradley, Edwin M. The First Hollywood Sound Shorts. Jefferson, North Carolina: McFarland, 2005. *
— contains brief discussion of the film along with related entries on Brooks and Arbuckle