42nd Street (1933)

Set during the depression, this is the granddaddy of backstage musicals in which the understudy finally gets a chance to shine. It may seem a little cliché now, but in 1933 this was hot stuff. All that behind-the-scenes atmosphere feels very genuine, and the script is more acerbic than you might expect.

A sickly Julian Marsh (Warner Baxter) puts his all into what may be his last show, only to face a disaster when leading lady Dorothy Brock (Bebe Daniels) sprains her ankle. Thank heavens for ingenue Peggy Sawyer (Ruby Keeler), who steps in at the last minute. The vivacious soundtrack includes "Shuffle off to Buffalo," and the still-catchy title tune. Best of all are those extravagant, kaleidoscopic dance numbers by Busby Berkeley, then in his prime. --Rochelle O'Gorman Amazon.com essential video

Timeless classic

This film feels modern. It's a wonderful mix of realism and story-escapism. Many characters all with snappy dialogue. Lots and lots of "cheesecake" shots, many quite daring. Rather than using a light feel-good approach, the underpinnings of desperation for many of the characters makes it seem real, and allows the romance/chorus-girl to a star arc find a place to nestle in your heart. Great great music. The Busby Berkely numbers still amuse and awe. This 1933 film makes many recent era films seem juvenile and dated. Puh-leeze! November 26, 2008

Show within a show! Reality too!!

There is a scene in the film, just a short scene where two men come to the stage and are portrayed as the composer and lyricist of the show. Well, indeed they ARE!! It is Harry Warren and AL Dubin. Since my husband Charles is Harry's great nephew we get such a "kick" out of that scene! Harry was not only a WONDERFUL composer but a fine gentleman and family man. November 11, 2008

excellent

not much to say except that i ordered the product i wanted and it came without any problems and in an expeditious manner. thank you very much. August 30, 2008

The musical that saved Warner Brothers from bankruptcy!

A sick director, financially and emotionally done-in by the stock market crash of 1929 needs to make enough money to finance his retirement. Pretty Lady, a new show to open on Broadway needs a director to make it a hit, and the great drama begins to unfold!

The stakes are high, the competition for parts is fierce and the talent on the stage is amazing. If you think that the tension of American Idol is wild, you need to see this movie! Careers, lives, relationships and fortunes are all riding on the success of Pretty Lady. When the leading lady breaks her leg before the opening, newcomer Ruby Keeler is cast as the lead, right out of the chorus line.

The dialogue is snappy and sometimes surprisingly suggestive for the era. But, the best part is the twenty minutes of musical production numbers. Busby Berkley's choreography is a wonder to behold.

I absolutely love this movie, and never tire of seeing it. February 17, 2008

Ageless

Matchless and incomparable. This is another (or the first) of Busby and Bacon's fabulous creations: there's nothing like them, and there never will be. Terrific funny acid dialogue, fantastic dance numbers, superb pacing --- it just sucks you into its seminal show-biz story and gets you going with the beat, building up to that grand, classic high-spot: sock it to them, baby! There is nothing, absolutely nothing, wrong with Ruby Keeler's casting or performance in this part. She's naive, credulous, sweet, charming and lovable. Dick Powell wasn't exactly Douglas Fairbanks. Both Dick and Ruby were intended to be the boy and girl next door, and they were perfect in those roles. You felt that with a little help, and a bit of practice, you might be up there with them yourself. At the same time, you knew that you couldn't. Ginger was the tops. A stellar comedienne. Every scene is stuffed with humorous, minor side-touches of back-stage horse-play and wise-cracking. Fizz, crackle and sparkle; sardonic, cynical, comical, effervescently cheerful. Watch it every 6 months or so, and it'll never let you down. Pure, unequalled entertainment. November 4, 2007

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