Hoop-La

1933 film

Hoop La is a 1933 American pre Code drama film directed by Frank Lloyd, and starring Clara Bow (in her final film role), Preston Foster, Richard Cromwell and Minna Gombell also in the cast. The film is based on the play The Barker by Kenyon Nicholson, which was also filmed in 1928 under the same title as the play. A version restored by the Museum of Modern Art was shown at the 2011 Classic Film Festival in Hollywood during the spring.

When the sheltered and educated Chris Miller who is the son of Nifty Miller, manager of a travelling circus, shows up unexpectedly to visit his dad, Nifty wants him to turn around and go back to school. Nifty is reluctant to let him be around the circus folk. However, he is allowed to stay and work for a while; however, this means some things have to change—like Nifty and his paramour Carrie have to cool it for a while. Carrie doesn't take that at all well, and in anger pays worldly Hoochie coochie dancer Lou to seduce Chris and lure him away from his dad. Lou tries her best, and sometimes shocks the naive Chris, like when she goes skinny dipping in a pond. However, instead of taking him for a chump, she ends up falling in love and comes clean with him; he proposes marriage. Lou thinks she's not good enough for Chris, and so does Nifty. Then Chris and Lou sneak off and get married. Needing money to leave the circus, Lou hits up Carrie for the rest of the money she promised, threatening to tell Nifty if she doesn't pay. They gather enough money to leave, but not before an angry Nifty can throw them out and tell them never to come back. Lou and Chris head for the Chicago and the World's Fair where Lou dances and Chris works in a law office. Having fallen on hard times, Lou secretly arranges for Nifty to be the barker for her dancing act. Lou knows Chris won't be happy until he makes up with his father. Nifty isn't happy; Chris explains that Lou has been making it possible for him to learn the law while she supports them with her dancing. In the end, Nifty realizes Lou is okay and forgives them both.

The film was a box office disappointment for Fox.

The same story was remade in 1945 as Billy Rose's Diamond Horseshoe starring Betty Grable.