Movie Notes: 42nd Street

July 11th, 2008

42nd Street

= 4 stars

Starring Ruby Keeler, Bebe Daniels, Warner Baxter
Directed by Lloyd Bacon

Synopsis

Nervous director Julian Marsh (Warner Baxter) helms the Broadway musical “Pretty Lady” in the midst of the Great Depression, starring Bebe Daniels (Dorothy Brock) and wide-eyed ingenue Peggy Sawyer (Ruby Keeler).

The Good

I was genuinely astounded that this movie dates from 1933 (Metropolis was 1927). Many film conventions – plots and visual techniques – were already present at this date, and the subject matter is at times surprisingly risque.
Outstanding dance numbers staged by Busby Berkeley, featuring his trademark “top down view” and unique camera angles resembling animation.
Several compelling side plots – the stressed-out director driven to have one last success, the underlying stress of a financial depression, the passing the torch of a present star to a new one, and the erratic nature of fame.
The fashions of the 1920s are quite fascinating – cute and impractical hats, dresses like pom-poms or swizzle sticks, suits, and outrageously long collars.
A surprisingly appealing amount of skin, boozy parties, and racy dialogue – it was made before the censorious Production Code which severely limited the creativity of filmmakers until it was replaced with the MPAA rating system in place today. The film feels oddly more modern than some from the 1950s.

The Bad

The film’s first half focuses on the creation of the musical “Pretty Lady” and the backstage relationships between the various characters. Therefore, all the musical numbers are loaded in the second half, which was a bit disappointing. Perhaps the film should be considered a comedy with a few musical numbers thrown in.

Conclusion

42nd Street was a pleasant surprise. At the very least, it’s a great example of the Busby Berkeley stage spectacles that practically every musical since displays some influence. But if that doesn’t grab you, there are several interesting plot threads to focus on, and the snazzy eye-candy of crazy retro fashions and skin.

IMDB: 42nd Street
Wikipedia: 42nd Street
Rotten Tomatoes: 42nd Street 95%