Released - October, 1933 

Directed By - Lloyd Bacon

Starring – James Cagney (Chester Kent), Joan Blondell (Nan Prescott), Ruby Keeler (Bea Thorn), Dick Powell (Scott ‘Scotty’ Blair).

Description – Chester Kent’s career as a Broadway musical director has come upon hard times. In an effort to stay afloat, Kent decides to shift his focus to the creation of short, live, musical productions called “prologues.”

These mini-productions are presented in movie theaters before the main feature is shown. As if the pressure of creating the large number of marketable productions that are called for isn’t enough it seems as though someone is stealing his ideas and has some inside help.

Quietly, without Kent even noticing, his secretary Nan is falling in love with him. With a big deal looming, Kent must put together three prologues in order to get the contract. Can he make it in time, and will someone steal the idea before he gets to present it?

NOTABLE: In 1992 Footlight Parade was selected for preservation in the National Film Registry by the Library of Congress.

This was the film debut of actress Dorothy Lamour. She, along with Ann Southern, appeared as one of the chorus girls.

Personal Note: This is one of the most enjoyable early sound musicals. A strong finish featuring three spectacular numbers choreographed by the great Busby Berkeley.

Footlight Parade

The Busby Berkeley Collection (Footlight Parade / Gold Diggers of 1933 / Dames / Gold Diggers of 1935 / 42nd Street)

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Released - May, 1933 

Directed By - Mervyn LeRoy

Starring – Warren William (J. Lawrence Bradford), Joan Blondell (Carol King), Aline MacMahon (Trixie Lorraine), Ruby Keeler (Polly Parker), Dick Powell (Brad Roberts), Ginger Rogers (Fay Fortune).

Description – This pre-code Warner Brothers musical was staged and choreographed by Busby Berkeley. During the height of the depression, producer Barney Hopkins has everything he needs to produce a hit show.

He’s got the talent in “gold diggers” with Polly the ingenue, Trixie the comedienne, Fay the glamour puss, Carol the torch singer, and a good story. Only one thing lacking…money. Creditor’s have just closed down rehearsal due to unpaid bills.

Out of the blue, Polly’s boyfriend Brad Roberts, a talented singer and songwriter who has written the music for the show, offers to put up $15,000 to back the production. Everyone thinks he is joking until he comes up with the money and production begins.

One catch, Brad does not want to perform in the show despite his talent. This adds to everyone’s suspicion as to where this money came from and why not perform? Is Brad really hiding something?

It seems he is, as Brad is the son of a wealthy family who has no intention of allowing him to become a stage performer and end up seduced by some “gold digger.”

NOTABLE: In 2003 Gold Diggers of 1933 was selected for the National Film Registry by the Library of Congress.

This film was nominated for Best Sound, Recording.

The Busby Berkeley Collection (Footlight Parade / Gold Diggers of 1933 / Dames / Gold Diggers of 1935 / 42nd Street)

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Released - March, 1933 

Directed By - Lloyd Bacon

Starring - Warner Baxter (Julian Marsh), Bebe Daniels (Dorothy Brock), George Brent (Pat Denning), Ruby Keeler (Peggy Sawyer), Ginger Rogers (Ann Lowell), Dick Powell (Billy Lawler).

Description – The original Warner Brothers musical classic choreographed by Busby Berkeley. It’s the Depression and financial backing for Broadway shows is hard to come by. However, produces Jones and Barry have a financial angel in industrialist Abner Dillon.

Abner is infatuated with the beautiful Dorothy Brock who will star in the new musical so long as she can keep Abner interested in both her and backing the show. In reality, Dorothy’s heart lies elsewhere, with her old vaudeville partner Pat Denning who is now out of work.

To help insure the success of the show, the producers hire famed director Julian Marsh. For Julian, this is his last chance. Broke, as a result of the stock market crash and in ill health, Julian hopes to make enough money from this show to retire.

Rehearsals for the show are grueling, competitive, and disappointing to director Marsh. On the night before the grand opening a catastrophe seemingly stirkes. Star Dorothy Brock sprains her ankle and will be unable to do the show.

Financial backer Abner Dillon wants his new “interest” Ann Lowell for the lead hoping to save the show. However, Ann admits that she does not believe she is talented enough to pull it off and tells Marsh that he should sue newcomer Peggy Sawyer.

With everyone’s future depending on the outcome, the show is on.

NOTABLE: This film was nominated for two Academy Awards; Best Picture, and Best Sound Recording.

In 1998 42nd Street was selected for preservation in the National Film Registry by the Library of Congress.

The American Film Institute has voted this film as the 13th best movie musical of all time.

Personal Note: This is one of the most popular musicals of all time. At any given moment it is being performed on the stages of Broadway, local theater, college, and high-school productions across the country.

The classic depiction of the backstage musical and an “understudy’s dream come true.”

42nd Street (Keepcase)

The Busby Berkeley Collection (Footlight Parade / Gold Diggers of 1933 / Dames / Gold Diggers of 1935 / 42nd Street)

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Released - August, 1932 

Directed By - Rouben Mamoulian

Starring – Maurice Chevalier (Baron Maurice Courtelin), Jeanette MacDonald (Princess Jeanette), Charles Ruggles (Viscount Gilbert de Vareze), Charles Butterworth (Count de Savignac), Myrna Loy (Countess Valentine).

Description – A romantic musical that has Maurice Chevalier playing a tailor who is owed a lot of money by a penniless nobleman. To buy some time for his debt, Viscount de Vareze allows the tailor to move into his estate and decides to pass him off as a baron. The new baron meets and falls in love with the beautiful Princess Jeanette. Somewhat suspicious of the baron the princess is a little hesitant. Enjoy the fun and the music as suspicion gives in to love.

NOTABLE: In 1990 this movie was chosed for preservation in the United States National Film Registry. This film featured the classic Rodgers and Hart songs “Isn’t It Romantic?,” “Lover,” “Mimi,” and “Love Me Tonight”. A little wardrobe jealousy emerged as Jeanette MacDonald was jealous of how a white empire-styled dress looked on Myrna Loy for a party sequence and insisted on wearing the dress herself. This was not a problem for Loy as she, with a friends help, put together the black lace outfit she steals the scene in.

Love Me Tonight

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Released - March, 1932 

Directed By - Ernst Lubitsch

Starring – Maurice Chevalier (Dr. Andre Bertier), Jeanette MacDonald (Colette Bertier), Genevieve Tobin (Mitzi Olivier), Charles Ruggles (Adolph), Roland Young (Professor Olivier).

Description – When you are the perfect couple and as happily married as Dr. Andre Bertier and his wife Colette, what could possibly go wrong?

Well, start with an introduction of the Doctor to the very attractive, flirtatious, and persistent Mitzi Olivier whose husband wants to divorce her, and the unexpected attraction of Colette to another man and lets see what happens.

NOTABLE: This picture was nominated for Best Picture Oscar.

The title song for this film was later used as the theme song for Eddie Cantor’s radio show.

Included in Eclipse Series 8 Lubitsch Musicals 

Eclipse Series 8 – Lubitsch Musicals (The Love Parade / The Smiling Lieutenant / One Hour with You / Monte Carlo) (Criterion Collection)

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