The Hollywood Musical - Part III 1933, "42nd Street"

1933 began with an adaptation of a story by Ben Hecht of the social issues caused by the Great Depression, "Hallelujah, I'm a Bum." With music and lyrics by Rodgers and Hart, the only standard to come out of the film was "You Are Too Beautiful." Hart's rhythmic dialogue introduced each song -- it almost a precusor to Stephen Sondheim.

The big hit was, of course, "42nd Street," which introduced the team of Ruby Keeler and Dick Powell. Choreography was by the great Busby Berkely. There is one marked change from the novel it was based on by Bradford Ropes. In the book, Julian Marsh is a wealthy homosexual who lives with juvenile lead Tommy Lawler (!) In the movie, Marsh is a chain-smoking loner who as been ruined by the stock market crash. The cast is a wonder, also including Warner Baxter as Marsh, Bebe Daniels, George Brent, Ginger Rogers, Una Merkel, Guy Kibee. The final production number with the moving set skyline of New York is a classic.

Over 30 musicals were released in 1933, among them "Gold Diggers of 1933" again with Keeler and Powell (and Ginger Rogers). Busby Berkeley makes an acting debut. This is the first musical to make references to the Great Depression adding a grim sequence entitled "Remember the Forgotten Man."

Then we first get a look at James Cagney as a song and dance man in "Footlight Parade," the first screen appearance of Fred Astaire in "Dancing Lady" where Joan Crawford shows of her dancing ability, "Roman Scandals" with Eddie Cantor and the first Astair/Rogers film "Flying Down to Rio." The Berkeley devised dance sequence on the wings of airplanes is still an incredible sequence.

1933 was capped of by Hearst's production "Going Hollywood" with Marion Davies (a la "Citizen Kane" promotion of his girf friend). With a score by Nacio Herb Brown and lyrics by Arthur Freed, sported some effective crooning by Bing Crosby who was one of Davies' favorites (but not Hearst's).