"Gold Diggers of 1933" was an incipient brothel upon the big screen, complete with rewarding crime, fornication, and other delicious deceits thrust amidst our tangible souls. The above picture is one of the Busby Berkeley dancing chorus girls from this 1933 musical.
The opening number, “We’re in the Money,” (above picture) sung by a chorus
of luscious legged dancing girls, and Ginger Rogers as the lead singer was a
great beginning to this 1933 classic. The awesome facial close-ups on the Berkeley babes, including Ginger Rogers singing "We're in the Money" in Pig Latin was truly a delight to watch, and I’m
not really of fan of musicals, nor the type of music Berkeley directed, but “We’re
in the Money” still captures the my 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 wearing the same dress.
ROGERS
If Barney could see my clothes!
OTHER WOMAN
He wouldn't recognize you.
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.
Mark Izzy Schurr
