Gold Diggers of 1933 (1933)

Fabulously entertaining! Funny and moving.

If you need proof that Busby Berkley was a genius, you have only to watch the production numbers of Gold Diggers of 1933. If you are looking for lavish, how about seventy-four dancers in gowns playing violins? The songs and dances are classic, the costumes are amazing, and it goes way beyond light entertainment.

Remember My Forgotten Man was a heartbreaking reminder of America's treatment of returning veterans, begging for food and sleeping on sidewalks.

This was Busbey Berkley's second film for Warner Brothers, following 42nd Street, and it is a DVD that belongs in your collection if you enjoy classic American films. February 17, 2008

A Timeless Classic!!

This period piece movie is not only an entertainment classic, it is also a wonderful educational tool. On the entertainment front, who can resist the lighthearted music and the almost adolescent romantic formulas played out in the movie? Who can resist Ginger Rogers singing in pig-Latin? Who can resist the pathos of "Remember My Forgotten Man"?

On the educational front I have to say this is a winner. I taught American History for 37 years to almost 2 generations of high school seniors. The Great Depression was simply a sterile concept to them until they saw the movie. As said earlier, this is an historic period piece, and permits the viewer not only to get a genuine sense of the styles, speech patterns, pop culture, and values of the time, it also gives a profound view of the burdens and destitution of the Great Depression. I was able to elicit hours of genuine educational discussion and valuse clarification from showing and then discussing this movie with my students. They had a new and sober respect for the trauma caused by the Great Depression. Of course, this was also a wonderful segue and introduction to the New Deal and the administration of FDR.

This is story telling,perhaps not at its best, but most assuredly at its most entertaining and useful. July 13, 2007

Gold Diggers of 1933

In this first "Gold Diggers" entry, the various romantic maneuverings may seem dated and silly, but also reveal the charged dynamics between the few "haves" and the many "have-nots" during our country's worst economic crisis. We see the rich, oblivious Bostonians brazenly manipulated by the sassy, savvy chorus girls, who aren't mean or dishonest- just plain hungry for a good meal. Busby Berkeley's risqué, jaw-dropping production numbers temporarily transported a weary citizenry from their troubles, and immortal Harry Warren- Al Dubin songs like "We're In The Money" and "Remember My Forgotten Man" became powerful anthems for a desperate time, when fear itself was truly the enemy. (Also watch for Ginger Rogers in an early role, singing in pig latin!) June 20, 2007

Fabulouly Fun

You can spend your evening watching yet another cop show or you can delve into fabulous fun by watching this, the frothiest answer to the Great Depression.

The film begins with a huge close of up Ginger Rogers singing the ditty "We're in the Money" in pig-Latin (added to the film when she was overheard doing this off the set). The chorus girls go through their Busby Berkeley routine clad only in oversized coinage and so we know we are off on quite the romp.

The next scenes provide the grit of the Depression in the form of closed theaters, out of work actresses and pilfered milk bottles, but not to worry! There is always a song coming on, and Dick Powell, that charming neighbor across the airshaft has already captured Ruby Keeler's heart with his tunes and his smile. Her gal pals are not buying his applesauce, but when he provides the funds to underwrite their next big show that is sure to make them all happy if not famous, well, things start looking up big time.

We are gifted with some of the best of the Berkeley numbers in this film. The "Shadow Waltz" is breathtakingly gorgeous with all of those lovely chorus girls in the best Art Deco dresses ever dreamed, on their Dr. Seuss-ish set, as they play their neon violins... Like drifting on one very snazzy cloud. And the "Pettin' in the Park" number brings a whole new meaning to the question, "How long do you stay fresh in that can?"

The singing by both Joan Blondell and the incomparable Etta Moten (for whom Gershiwin wrote the role of Bess)in the "Remember My Forgotten Man" finale (by Al Dubin and Harry Warren) is as good as you will find anywhere.

Sprinkled all through this is a problem that is skillfully handled by a smattering of wise cracks, high-jinks and good clean fun that will make you glad that you took a trip back in time.

February 19, 2007

Superb entertainment, depression gold

"Golddiggers of 1933" is the second of 3 great musicals Warner Brothers released in 1933. The first was "42nd Street", the prototype for all backstage musicals and a dark and sombre film. The second was this one, based on a straight play and with one theme - the Depression. The third, "Footlight Parade", placed the emphasis on success, supporting Roosevelt and the New Deal.

"Golddiggers" benefits from a really funny screenplay and the talents of the acerbic Aline MaMahon and the versatile Joan Blondell. These two dominate the film and rightly so. Ruby Keeler and Dick Powell are back as the ingenue leads. Keeler is still clunky with her delivery of her lines and Powell is nauseatingly cheerful, but, in fairness, their parts must have looked pretty awful on paper. They both would improve. Guy Kibbee plays opposite MacMahon and they were so good together that Warner's subsequently paired them in a number of straight films. The plot is good enough to stand alone without Busby Berkely's numbers but they become the icing on the cake. "Shadow Waltz" is charming and pointless creating beautiful images to the lilting song. "Pettin in the Park" would not have survived after the Censorship was enforced a year later and is notably venal. It is almost a celebration of voyeurism. The best of all is the number with which the film ends. "Remember my Forgotten Man" is an extraordinary comment on the treatment of ex-pats, a powerful and moving political statement. Joan Blondell, the best non singer ever, narrates the lyrics and uses her superior acting skills, her body and underplayed gestures to portray a prostitute memorably. It is a great performance.

The print of the film is outstanding and the DVD comes with a generous list of extras. There is a documentary on the film "42nd Street" and a short on the promotion of that film which makes one thinks that the producers of the DVD made a slip up - good material, wrong DVD. Another matching documentary focuses on this film. There are 2 short films, one of which showcases radio stars all of whom are forgettable except Sylvia Frooze, of the unusual name but excellent voice and screen presence. The second short features Lita Chaplin, one of Charlie's wives. She has a pleasant voice too but a somewhat stiff presence and a very young Sammy Davis Jnr appears in the short with her. The Merrie Melody cartoons are wonderful with the usual detailed drawings and great orchestrations. One features characterisations of Crosby, Garbo, Zasu Pitts, Mae West, Cagney and Blondell, Ben Burnie, Wheeler and Woolsey and others. There is also a comprehensive set of Trailers for all the films in the series; once again, maybe this was meant to be on the "42nd Street" DVD.

The DVD is excellent value and even better if purchased as part of the Warner's Busby Berkeley Set. February 2, 2007

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