Sunday, October 6, 2024

NFR Project: 'Gold Diggers of 1933'

 

NFR Project: ‘Gold Diggers of 1933’

Dir: Mervyn LeRoy, Busby Berkeley

Scr: Erwin S. Gelsey, James Seymour, Ben Markson, Daid Boehm

Pho: Sol Polito

Ed: George Amy

Premiere: May 27, 1933

90 min.

This third of the Busby Berkeley-involved musicals if 1933 is the most distinctive, in that it’s a musical that tries, however briefly, to deal with the problems of the Great Depression.

This particular plot is so familiar it has been parodied several times on stage (“Dames at Sea”) and on film (“Movie Movie”). Four young gal pals – the nice girl, Polly (Ruby Keeler); Joan Blondell, Aline MacMahon, ang Ginger Rogers – are trying to make it big on Broadway. Producer (the cigar-chomping Ned Sparks) has his show attached for lack of funds, and all of them are on the outs.

But wait! A young man’s voice can be heard from the next window in the apartment building, belting out a wonderful song. Eureka! From this material a great musical could be made. But where to get the money? Fortunately, songsmith Brad (Dick Powell) is rich, and he backs the show. This raises the ire of his protective older brother (Warren William), who tires to sabotage his burgeoning romance with Polly. Trickery and mistaken identity carry us through to opening night, which turns out to be a smash hit, and one that finds all of the principal couples together at last.

The distinctive musical numbers by the great choreographer Busby Berkeley are evenly spaced throughout the movie, starting with a vibrant rendition of coin-clad maidens chanting “We’re in the Money.” Once again, these are fantastic sequences that soon move beyond their stage-bound limitations and fly into sequences that could only be capture on film.

“Pettin’ in the Park” gives the filmmakers a chance to get a bunch off girls wet, then watch them disrobe in silhouette. “The Shadow Waltz” includes neon violins. Finally, “Remember My Forgotten Man” tries, in a sincere way, to talk to the fact that millions of men were out of work and in need. It’s a notably downbeat finale.

The NFR is one writer’s attempt to review all the films listed in the National Film Registry in chronological order. Next time: The Invisible Man.

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