42nd
Street (1933) Region 2 DVD
Synopsis: One of the most
important and enjoyable musicals of all time, this sizzling Warner Bros movie
is also one of the best loved of the early talking pictures. Warners was the
studio responsible for introducing talkies to the world with The Jazz Singer in
1927, and six years later 42nd Street continued the grand tradition.
The film is recognised as a masterpiece, not merely for its racy
dialogue and lavish costumes, or for its now-classic newcomer goes on
instead of indisposed star plot, but also for affording kaleidoscope
choreographer Busby Berkeley a chance to show off in such superb numbers as
Shuffle Off to Buffalo and You're Getting to Be a Habit with Me.
The
production cost a then-mammoth $400,000 and it shows. This is as entertaining
as it gets, with a knockout cast headed by Warner Baxter as the stressed
Broadway director and Bebe Daniels as his star.
Dick Powell and Ruby
Keeler (then married to Warners legend Al Jolson) feature in roles that would
turn them into household favourites, and a newcomer called Ginger Rogers plays
Anytime Annie The only time she said no, she didn't hear the
question!.
Cast: Warner Baxter, Ruby Keeler, Dick Powell,
Ginger Rogers Runtime: 89 min
*Note: USA and Canadian
customers should check their dvd players for PAL format compatibility. |