0
0
Rating: 5 out of 5
I must admit that 42nd Street is a fun, entertaining film that goes behind the scenes on what it takes to put on a show but also some mini politics that happen. The film is excellent on many levels that I was expecting. The acting was good, but the storyline was even better. I had to ask my friend if things like that really happened. The movie is doe very well, and I could listen to the last song over and over again. I was greatly satisfied with the film for the simple reason that this was hardly a musical. The musical stuff happened towards the end of the film.
Lately, I have been going to see more musicals and plays. My first play/musical was Disney: Aladdin followed by The Color Purple. I am planning on seeing more plays and musicals. After watching this film, I asked my friend about the world of theater. She was a theater major, and I asked her what happened behind the scenes. Whether the director was strict, how much did they practice, was there behind the scenes politics? She explained that many things go on behind the scenes of trying to do a play or musical. The countless hours of practicing lines, the tones and mannerisms of the character, the director being either great and knowing what they are doing or just flat out an ass. As she stated, “Putting on any type of performance is the same as being an athlete and the countless hours of perfecting one’s craft.” After listening to her, I have a far greater appreciation for theater and the performances of the actors and actresses.
Directed by Lloyd Bacon, while the screenplay was written by Rian James, James Seymour, and Whitney Bolton. 42nd Street is a funny yet sometimes serious film that goes behind the scenes on putting on a play. 42nd Street is a musical that is set in 1932 during the depth of the Great Depression. Word has spread that noted Broadway producers Jones (Robert McWade) and Barry (Ned Sparks) are putting on a new musical called Pretty Lady. Pretty Lady is staring the beautiful Dorothy Brock (Bebe Daniels). Brock is involved with the musical’s investor, Abner Dillion, who is her sugar daddy. The producers hire hard ass and the very demanding Broadway director, Julian Marsh (Warner Baxter). Marsh’s health is weak has he has a weak heart. Ignoring his doctor’s orders, Marsh takes up the task to do the musical in hopes of earning enough money to finally walk away for good.
Marsh states, “Pretty Lady will be my last great musical.” Marsh puts on a highly competitive casting call. Pretty much asks girls to lift up their skirts to show them their legs. Some of the girls picked are Loraine Fleming (Una Merkel), Anytime Annie (Ginger Rogers), and bright-eyed newcomer Peggy Sawyer (Ruby Keeler). Billy Lawler (Dick Powell), the play’s juvenile, instantly falls in love with Peggy, but Peggy is smitten with Pat Denning (George Brent), Dorothy’s lover and ex-partner. Yes, there are more love triangles in this film than anything else. Marsh pushes his cast extremely hard. I have never seen so much tap dancing and high kicks in my life. My own feet hurt just watching those girls tap their little hearts out. As opening night draws closer and closer, personal lives begin to crumble. Is the price of fame all that cracked up to be?
I will say this about the story, the drama was at the forefront, and boy did it take hold. The drama propelled this story in a way that made it very interesting. So many storylines converging in one. I asked my friend if things like this happen, and she responded with, “All the time. Sometimes what goes on behind the scenes is a show it itself.” One of the main storylines that were at the forefront was the relationship between Dorothy and Pat. Dorothy is involved with Abner but doesn’t give up anything to him. Definitely plays hard to get. Yet she is in love and sees Pat on the side. That’s some crazy mess right there. Oh, wait, there’s more! Newcomer Peggy comes from Pennsylvania as a bright-eyed girl just looking for work. She is so naïve and sweet. She goes to the audition, and while several girls trick her into walking into a men’s room as a joke. Peggy meets Billy, who takes a liking to her. Cold-blooded for the trick, but whatever it takes to get a role, I guess. But wait, there’s more. Pat becomes smitten with Peggy much to the chagrin of Dorothy. Marsh finds out about Dorothy and Pat’s relationship, and he sends thugs to beat up Pat. A nice little cherry on top is Marsh wants to make money and retire, so he has those girls dancing their literal butts off. I have never seen so many high kicks and tap dancing in my life. I thought I saw a girl’s feet fly off because she was dancing so hard. All this drama and it made for an actual great film and story. What I love most about this movie, it wasn’t a real musical. No one breaks out in a song. No song to tell feelings. Two songs at the end, and it’s done. What I didn’t get was the whole musical/play scene. One minute we’re on a train and then the next we got women high kicking it up, and then we finish with what I must say is an EPIC scene for 42nd Street. No way in hell they had that much space on a stage, but you know what?? It was excellent, and I enjoyed it. Keeler was tap-dancing her ass off in the beginning.
Now that brings me to my next point, the music. Even though there was little of it, one song was great, and the other was meh. “Shuffle Off to Buffalo” was the meh song. Maybe I just didn’t get it. I understand that the couple was newlyweds, and they were off to their honeymoon. Yet, I was like, what is the point of the song. Why is it here, and why is everyone hatin’ on this couple. Now the song that was awesome was 42nd Street. The song is very catchy and has that swing melody to it. It actually makes you want to dance a little. When Keeler says, “Come with me with those dancing feet.” I wanted to know if 42nd Street was the place to go to have fun until I realized she wasn’t talking about dancing. Once again, Keeler danced her little ass off, but she did amazing. After her dance, it showed what happens on 42nd Street. I must say, 42nd Street is a wild place to be. A really wild place but you will have a good time cause the song is all about sex.
The acting was okay to pretty good. With so many storylines going on at one time, it was hard to focus on just one person. Yet, everyone did their part to drive the movie and make it entertaining. Ruby Keeler was such an innocent and cute person. She played Peggy so well as the bright-eyed, naive girl from Pennsylvania who just wanted a job and to make it big. Once again, Keller danced her ass off. I give mad respect for those dancing feet. Honestly, not too many characters stand out. They were all equally good in their respective roles.
42nd Street is a delightful and entertaining movie to watch. It was an enjoyable film that showed what happens behind the scenes of a significant play. The highlight of the film is the storyline. So much drama all around and so little time to put on a hit show. I can’t say it enough, Ruby Keller danced her way to the top. As a classic from the 1930s, this movie is very great to watch. Anyone who watches this movie will be entertained. In the words of the song 42nd Street, “Come with me with those dancing feet.”
