Busby Berkeley's musical pieces in this film set high standards and expectations for future musical films. His work was excellent, and his additional films continued to raise the bar for visual effects, precision dancing and movement, and creativity in costumes, sets, lighting, and camera work. The story is a bit hokey, as most were in the early 1930's, but the performances by Dick Powell and Joan Blondell were outstanding. I have never understood the movie audiences' infatuation with Ruby Keeler. In my opinion, she was far from star quality. Her voice was grating; her acting was amateurish; her dancing was mediocre; and she wasn't nearly as beautiful or striking in looks as many of her contemporaries. Perhaps it's just my perspective from many decades later, but I just do not enjoy her in any movie in which I've seen her. She reminds me of the silent screen actress who couldn't sing, speak, or act well in "talking pictures," as beautifully lampooned in "Singin' in the Rain." Ginger Rogers, who had a much smaller part in the film, so upstaged her that it is obvious to me who the better actress and singer really was, and certainly I know Rogers could out-dance Keeler easily.
There was at least one actor whom I seemed to recognize in a quick scene, even though he had no speaking part. I had to review the cast list to discover William "Wild Bill" Elliott, an actor I enjoyed very much in western films produced much later. I also was interested in the short scene with Sterling Holloway, who later was much more famous as a comedian. I had no idea Billy Barty was in movies this early. Until I read the cast list, I didn't even realize Dennis O'Keefe had a bit part in the film. Finally, I was most impressed by the singing of Etta Moten; what a fabulous voice she had.
This is an interesting movie. I am a sucker for Berkeley's films, and I will enjoy seeing this one again.
There was at least one actor whom I seemed to recognize in a quick scene, even though he had no speaking part. I had to review the cast list to discover William "Wild Bill" Elliott, an actor I enjoyed very much in western films produced much later. I also was interested in the short scene with Sterling Holloway, who later was much more famous as a comedian. I had no idea Billy Barty was in movies this early. Until I read the cast list, I didn't even realize Dennis O'Keefe had a bit part in the film. Finally, I was most impressed by the singing of Etta Moten; what a fabulous voice she had.
This is an interesting movie. I am a sucker for Berkeley's films, and I will enjoy seeing this one again.