The book on Busby Berkley, at least for the lay and the philistinian (like yours truly) is that he helmed pictures big on pageantry, designed to distract the benighted masses.
I’d seen some excerpts from his dance numbers (and scenes inspired by his intricate choreography in everything from The Big Lebowski to The Simpsons). But this is my first time watching one of his full-length features.
And, having watched it, I’m glad I did. And what can I say, other than Boy, was I wrong!
Gold Diggers of 1933 isn’t so much bent on distracting people from the troubles of the Depression (or the hangover from the Great War) as it is with the harder task of making art and comedy from the harrowing (while never making light of the twin tragedies of war and poverty).
The film stars Lawrence J. Bradford as a man of great resources, who volunteers fifteen grand to fund a big musical review on the Great White Way. This is bully for Carol, Trixie, and Polly, three roommates who are so hard-up for cash they’ve devised a tool to steal milk from the windows of adjacent apartments.
What follows is a comedy of errors, exceptionally frank in its depiction of sexuality for its time, even for a pre-Hays Code talkie. Having said that, though, the movie’s core is not just wholesome, but inspiring. The bad times aren’t quite over yet, but the light at the end of the tenebrous tunnel can be seen. This is a movie about America when it was confident, but not overly so, barreling toward what everyone thought was a bright future.
And even in the midst of the hardship there’s dance, song, a spot of champagne, and the bright lights of the Big City. The movie’s central musical number—We’re in the Money—has become a cultural touchstone almost on a par with the National Anthem. My personal favorite, though, is the downbeat sort of ragtime number that closes the picture, featuring various women holding torch for the men who are still literally in their midst, but whose minds and souls were taxed sometimes beyond the breaking point by the Great War followed by the Great Depression.
I’m not a big fan of movies with a lot of dance numbers or breaks for song, but every rule has its exception. Here’s mine. Highest recommendation.
Customers who viewed this item also viewed
Page 1 of 1 Start overPage 1 of 1
Customer reviews
Fantastic picture and sound quality, and a true classic
Reviewed in the United States on November 5, 2021
The picture and sound quality were amazing on this DVD. The extreme vividness in “Gold Diggers of 1933” compared with my two Blue-Ray DVDs of “Footlight Parade” and “Cleopatra.”The sound on all my DVDs is played through my Sherwood RX 4100 receiver omitting from my Sony SS-EC50 speakers. My sound system is nothing spectacular, but not too shabby either.The opening number, “We’re in the Money,” sung by a chorus of luscious legged dancing girls, and Ginger Rodgers as the lead singer was a great beginning to this 1933 classic. The awesome facial close-ups on the Busby Berkeley babes, including Ginger Rogers was truly a delight to watch, and I’m not really of fan of musicals, nor the type of music Berkeley wrote, but “We’re in the Money” is a great number that still captures the senses.The acting and story-line also kept pace with the times. A large sum of money is needed immediately up front for the show to go on, and Ruby Keeler’s beau is this film, Dick Powell is secretive on how he fronted the producer $15,000 to get the show started.This 1933 flick has many signature elements from the 1930-1934 Pre-Code Hollywood era. Stealing without punishment, fornication, excessive drinking and scantily clad women in their under garments, leaving little to the lascivious imagination.Ginger Rogers was a star for a reason, and she more then proved herself in “Gold Diggers of 1933.” Joan Blondell was just a funny as she was beautiful. I love the scene is which her and Rogers wear the same dress, and the other chorus girls compare how each of them looks.Dick Powell had too many singing numbers for my liking, but the DVD skip button is always there, and this movie is a solid four and a half star rating to me. I’ve watched this movie multiple times, and it seems to get better each time.Whether or not you’re a Pre-Code Hollywood movie lover, a fan or non-fan of Busby Berkeley, or if you know nothing of Ginger Rogers or Joan Blondell, “Gold Diggers of 1933,” especially this high-quality print is a must have for vintage film buffs.All the special features were unimpressive to me, but the movie was so good, it simply didn’t matter.
Reviewed in the United States on November 5, 2021
Images in this review
Top reviews from other countries
Mitch Mitchell
brilliant restoration
Reviewed in the United Kingdom 🇬🇧 on March 28, 2022David Welford
Superb Region Free WB Archieve Blu-ray
Reviewed in the United Kingdom 🇬🇧 on July 6, 2022Tony jones
Gold Diggers of 1933......
Reviewed in the United Kingdom 🇬🇧 on January 25, 2017Crookers
Vintage Nostalgia Dance Movies.
Reviewed in the United Kingdom 🇬🇧 on July 11, 2021
