Review of 42nd Street (1933) by Adele H — 13 Aug 2008
This is the film that kick-started musicals at the movies. Up to then they just showed stage shows with a static camera and the audience's reaction was tepid, to say the least. But then Busby Berkley was appointed to do the muscial numbers on 42nd Street. And the numbers are wonderful. The song 42nd Street is one of the best designs and performances one could imagine.
The rest of the film is THE Classic "Make a Show" films, with everything that later becomes a cliche - "you'll go on stage an unknown and come back a Star!". And what's more they work in this. I found myself counting all those cliches in this film, and then realising that this was the film that probably first set them up.
The film was made before the Hayes Code was enforced properly and this is quite obvious. It's amazing what is shown here that later Holloywood movies just wouldn't have dared to include.
Altogether it's a wonderful film.
This review of 42nd Street (1933) was written by Adele H on 13 Aug 2008.
42nd Street has generally received positive reviews.
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