Figure 1.--Ra Hould is showen here dressed in an Eton suit for his part in "Dangerous Holiday". The lady is Hedda Hopper who was just beginning to become a prominent gossip columist.
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Figure 1.--Ra Hould is showen here dressed in an Eton suit for his part in "Dangerous Holiday". The lady is Hedda Hopper who was just beginning to become a prominent gossip columist. |
Hollywood set the pattern of imitation long ago. Republic Pictures noted the success of the musicals that Sol Lesser did with Bobby Breen. Republic created "Dangerous Holiday" as a suitable movie vehicle for violin prodigy Ra Hould. A young violin prodigy, Ronnie Campbell, with greedy relatives is unhappy about having to practice all day. He is coddled by his parents and handlers and misses playing and roughhouse like a regular boy. He runs away from home and alarms start ringing--it is assumed that he has been kidnapped. Ronnie males friends with street-urchins who come accross a gangster hideaway. Of course the kids outwit the crooks and in true Hollywood fashion, his parents promise to give Ronnie more freedom. Hedda Hopper appears in the film at just the time shee is beginning to become a major gossip columnist. Ra wears sailor suits, both white and blue ones as a prodigy. After he get his parents sorted out he befins wearing a regular suit. HBC readers might want to have a look at the prodigy pages.
Hollywood set the pattern of imitation long ago. Republic Pictures noted the success of the musicals that Sol Lesser did with Bobby Breen. Republic created "Dangerous Holiday" as a suitable movie vehicle for violin prodigy Ra Hould.
The director was Nicholas Barrows. The film was produced by William Berke. The writers included: Nicholas Barrows and Karen DeWolf. The cinematographer was William Nobles. The editor was Roy V. Livingston. The composer was Alberto Colombo.
The major cast members were Hedda Hopper, Ra Hould, Jack La Rue, Guinn "Big Boy" Williams, Franklin Pangborn, Ronald Sinclair (I think this is just Ra's other name), Jed Prouty, Lynne Roberts, William Bakewell, and Fern Emmett. Hedda Hopper appears in the film at just the time shee is beginning to become a major gossip columnist. Tommu Bupp plays Billy.
Ra Hould has used many names. Ra was born as Richard Arthur Hould. He
worked as Ra Hould from age 4 until he was 13 years old. He was a child violin
prodigy. He changed his name when he was 13 to Ronald Sinclair. Today he is
perhaps best known as Ronald Sinclair. Most of his film credits are as Ra Hould.
One of his best known films is "Dangerous Holiday", a bout a child prodigy.
A 10-year old violin prodigy, Ronnie Campbell/Kimball, has greedy relatives. His stepmother (stepmoyers were favorite decices in the 1930s) and two aunts settle a lawsuit regarding custody. They agree that he can go to Hollywood to make a film, as long as it doesn't interfere with his lucrative Radio broadcasts. He is unhappy about having to practice all day. He is coddled by his parents and handlers and misses playing and roughhouse like a regular boy. He is not allowed to play football with the other studio kids. Then the pool is drained so he will have more time to practice. Ronnie final in desperation locks his instructor in the closet and escapes out a window. He runs away and alarms immediately start ringing--it is assumed that he has been kidnapped. The
radio accues the Gollenger Gang. Ronnie makes friends with street-urchins. Ronnie gets the nickname "Scrapper" after beating a bully and making friends with a dog. He and his new chums come accross a gangster hideaway. Of course then the action really starts as ther kids outwit the crooks and in true Hollywood fashion. Details are not required herem but the finale is when Ronnie then shoots Gollenger in the hand with a slingshot and the other boys join in. His guardians promise to give Ronnie more freedom to play with the other studio kids--and fill up the pool.
Figure 2.--Ra wore both white and blue sailor suits for hos part as Ronnie Campbell, violin prodigy in "Dangerous Holiday". |
Ra wears sailor suits, both white and blue ones, ans an Eton suit with starched collar as a prodigy. After he get his parents sorted out he begins wearing a regular suit.
HBC readers might want to have a look at the prodigy pages. There are many famous child music prodigies. The most famous is certainly Mozart in the 18th Century, but there
have been many others in the 19th and 20th Century. The clothing they wore for their performances were often examples of contemporary formal boys' clothing. Often as they began to grow up their parents liked to keep dressing them in juvenile clothes to emphasize that they were childhood prodigies. I've just begun this page, but would be interested in any comments or contributions by HBC viewers.
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