"42nd Street", the 1933 film, is a story about showbiz, in which a young lady, without any experience, becomes a sort of Cinderella in a fairy tale that has been delighting audiences whenever it is shown. The atmosphere of Broadway during the depression is the background where the action is set.
Julian Marsh, the talented director, is brought on board for a new show that is having the backing of the rich Abner Dillon, who is a sugar daddy. Dillon assures a great production in which his paramour Dorothy Brock will shine as the star of what is being built as blockbuster. The mere fact that about two hundred people are involved in the production would scare any producer working in the theater today, but in those golden years it was possible.
Peggy Sawyer, a young woman trying to break into musicals, sets her eyes in trying for an audition. She is a lucky girl, indeed, finding a man like Billy Lawler, who is featured in the large cast. Through him, Peggy gets an unexpected lucky break to get in the show. She has a natural talent, but being in the chorus does not guarantee she will get to be seen. When the unexpected happens, Peggy is trusted with the role that will make her a star.
"42nd Street", directed by Lloyd Bacon, is a feel good movie. The film is based on a novel by Bradford Ropes, and adapted for the screen by Rian James and James Seymour, with a choreography designed by Busby Berkeley, the brilliant man that created extravaganzas that involved hundreds giving. It is all about musical theater and the people that made this American unique American genre what it is. The idea of becoming a star overnight has long been explored in other films.
Warner Baxter is the exasperated director with a show to present and not being quite what he wants. Ruby Keeler is Peggy, the sweet naive girl with a lot of dreams. Bebe Daniels appears as Dorothy Brock, the star of the show. George Brent plays Pat Denning, the man in love with Dorothy. Guy Kibbee is the sugar daddy backing the show. Dick Powell has some good moments as Billy. In the large cast we see performers of the stature of Ginger Rogers, Una Merkel, Ned Sparks, Charles Lane, and so many others that are not even credited.
Sol Polito's camera work does wonder to create the right atmosphere and those Busby Berkeley's intricate numbers.
Julian Marsh, the talented director, is brought on board for a new show that is having the backing of the rich Abner Dillon, who is a sugar daddy. Dillon assures a great production in which his paramour Dorothy Brock will shine as the star of what is being built as blockbuster. The mere fact that about two hundred people are involved in the production would scare any producer working in the theater today, but in those golden years it was possible.
Peggy Sawyer, a young woman trying to break into musicals, sets her eyes in trying for an audition. She is a lucky girl, indeed, finding a man like Billy Lawler, who is featured in the large cast. Through him, Peggy gets an unexpected lucky break to get in the show. She has a natural talent, but being in the chorus does not guarantee she will get to be seen. When the unexpected happens, Peggy is trusted with the role that will make her a star.
"42nd Street", directed by Lloyd Bacon, is a feel good movie. The film is based on a novel by Bradford Ropes, and adapted for the screen by Rian James and James Seymour, with a choreography designed by Busby Berkeley, the brilliant man that created extravaganzas that involved hundreds giving. It is all about musical theater and the people that made this American unique American genre what it is. The idea of becoming a star overnight has long been explored in other films.
Warner Baxter is the exasperated director with a show to present and not being quite what he wants. Ruby Keeler is Peggy, the sweet naive girl with a lot of dreams. Bebe Daniels appears as Dorothy Brock, the star of the show. George Brent plays Pat Denning, the man in love with Dorothy. Guy Kibbee is the sugar daddy backing the show. Dick Powell has some good moments as Billy. In the large cast we see performers of the stature of Ginger Rogers, Una Merkel, Ned Sparks, Charles Lane, and so many others that are not even credited.
Sol Polito's camera work does wonder to create the right atmosphere and those Busby Berkeley's intricate numbers.