Trailer

42nd Street (1933)

Passed   |    |  Comedy, Musical, Romance

42nd Street (1933) Poster

A director puts on what may be his last Broadway show and, at the last moment, a naive newcomer has to replace the star.

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7.6/10
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  • Ruby Keeler in 42nd Street (1933)
  • Ruth Eddings in 42nd Street (1933)
  • Ginger Rogers and Edward J. Nugent in 42nd Street (1933)
  • Dick Powell in 42nd Street (1933)
  • Warner Baxter in 42nd Street (1933)
  • Ruby Keeler in 42nd Street (1933)

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Awards

Nominated for 2 Oscars.

Another 1 win.

Reviews & Commentary

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User Reviews
16 June 2000 | zetes
8
| Wonderful
If only there could have been more musical and dance numbers! All of them (not counting practices) occur at the very end of the film, and there are only three of them there. Luckily, the non-musical parts were really good, too. The plot was just a pretty standard behind-the-scenes of a play movie. It actually reminded me a lot of two films about plays that I have just seen recently, Micheal Powell's _The Red Shoes_ and Tim Robbins' _Cradle Will Rock_. While the plot may be a bit common, the dialogue is exceptionally good. It is snappy and witty and clever at all times. Also, the ensemble cast was extremely good. I love Dick Powell. He's not in this film too much, but he's perfect in every scene he's in. I was first introduced to him in the guise of Phillip Marlowe (and I am among the small group of people who consider him the best incarnation of Phillip Marlowe), and he's just as great in the genre which brought him his fame.

This is also the first movie that I've ever seen involving Bubsy Berkely, and I have to say, WOW!!! Those musical sequences are ingenious! One thing I find funny, though, is that, if you think about it, the audience who would be watching the play from below wouldn't be able to see any of the fancy designs the dancers make with their legs! Too bad for them! I give this film a 9/10!

Critic Reviews

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Did You Know?

Trivia

Lyrics in the "Shuffle Off to Buffalo" song reference that someone named "Winchell" will know when the couple becomes pregnant. This is a reference to Walter Winchell, the first syndicated gossip columnist in the U.S.

Quotes

Julian Marsh: All right, now, everybody... quiet, and listen to me. Tomorrow morning, we're gonna start a show. We're gonna rehearse for five weeks, and we're gonna open on scheduled time, and I MEAN scheduled time. You're gonna work and sweat, and work some more...

Goofs

The same drinking glass (water) is used throughout the movie. The glass is first seen during the rehearsals when Peggy faints. The same glass then pops up again in Pat Denning's home/apartment when he uses it for his lapel flower/button hole, then again the exact same glass appears in Julian Marsh's hotel room, but this time after the company have moved on to Philadelphia.

Alternate Versions

A digitally restored and colorized version was recently released.

Soundtracks

Shuffle Off to Buffalo
(1932) (uncredited)
Lyrics by Al Dubin
Music by Harry Warren
Sung and Danced by Ruby Keeler and Clarence Nordstrom
Also sung by Ginger Rogers, Una Merkel, and Chorus

Storyline

Plot Summary

Genres

Comedy | Musical | Romance

Details

Release Date:

11 March 1933

Language

English

Country of Origin

USA

Filming Locations

Stage 2, Vitagraph Studios - 4151 Prospect Avenue, Los Angeles, California, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$439,000 (estimated)

Gross:

$2,300,000 (USA)

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