Musique - "
Shanghai Lil" by James Cagney, Ruby Keeler, and chorus
It's no secret that the 1930s is my favorite decade for films. But 1933 shines as the brightest year for film in my opinion. 1933 produced so many of my very favorite movies:
Footlight Parade, the story of Chester Kent (James Cagney), who puts on amazing prologues for movie houses. There are some really incredible Busby Berkeley directed musical scenes in this picture that just blow your mind. And it also features some of my other 30s favorites such as Joan Blondell, Ruby Keeler, and Dick Powell.
Design for Living, based on Noël Coward's play of the same name (but sharing only one line with it). Gilda (Miriam Hopkins) is torn between Tom (Fredric March) and George (Gary Cooper), so decides to live with both of them—but with the gentleman's agreement of "no sex". However, Gilda is
not a gentleman. Oh, to be Miriam Hopkins in this film and to get to share Fredric March and Gary Cooper! Swoon!
Baby Face, starring Barbara Stanwyck, one of my very, very favorites. Lilly has grown up hard and only knows one way to get ahead—using her sexuality to get what she wants. And boy howdy, does she get what she wants in this film. They
so couldn't make this film just one year later.
Dancing Lady with Joan Crawford and Clark Gable. Janie Barlow (Crawford) is a burlesque performer who moves up to Broadway thanks to help from rich admirer Tod Newton (Franchot Tone). But Janie's volatile relationship with her director, Patch Gallagher (Gable) turns into something that Tod just can't compete with. There is a glorious musical number in here about beer performed by Joan Crawford and Fred Astaire. It's truly awesome.
Gold Diggers of 1933. Three out of work chorus girls, Carol (Joan Blondell), Polly (Ruby Keeler), and Trixie (Aline MacMahon), all live together, stealing milk from the neighbors and waiting for their next big break. Their old producer, Barney (Ned Sparks) does decide to put on a show, but he doesn't have enough cash to make it happen. In steps Polly's beau, Brad Roberts (Dick Powell), with the money. But how on earth does a struggling songwriter have so much dough? Another Busby Berkeley masterpiece with his signature musical numbers.
Dinner at Eight, an amazing ensemble piece with too many famous and wonderful actors to name (just check out the lobby card above). Everyone's got secrets and everyone wants something from someone else. Hilarious and moving and bursting with talent.
42nd Street, a film about Broadway (but aren't all of these Warner Brothers/Busby Berkeley films about Broadway?). Stage star Dorothy Brock (Bebe Daniels) is injured and can't star in Julian Marsh's (Warner Baxter) newest production. But talented newcomer Peggy Sawyer (Ruby Keeler) saves the day by taking on the lead role. Again, the musical numbers by Busby Berkeley are outstanding and I can't get enough of Ruby Keeler and Dick Powell as an onscreen couple. :)
Midnight Mary, starring Loretta Young in the title role. Mary falls in with the wrong crowd and falls for the wrong guy, Leo (Ricardo Cortez). But after meeting prominent lawyer, Tom (Franchot Tone), Mary wants to make good. Only her old crowd won't let her.
Lady Killer. Oh, James Cagney, always abusing Mae Clarke (see
The Public Enemy); but this time, she deserves it. Dan (Cagney) is pretty good at crime and along with his cohorts, including Myra (Clarke), he pulls various illegal stunts. He ends up hiding out in Los Angeles and making good in the movie business. But guess who shows up to cash in on his good fortune. . . .
Female, starring Ruth Chatterton as successful Alison Drake, owner of an automobile plant. Alison is a sort of man-eater who has no time for "jealous or moody men". However, when she falls for new engineer, Jim Thorne (George Brent), she finds she's a bit more subject to feminine feelings than she thought.
Bombshell with the biggest bombshell of the 30s, Jean Harlow. This is a film inspired by Clara Bow's real life with her success and the subsequent sponging off her by family and "friends". In this comedy film, Jean Harlow plays movie star Lola Burns, at the mercy of the studio publicity man, Space Hanlon (Lee Tracy), and supporting her deadbeat father and brother. Jean Harlow is absolutely on fire in this film and the upbraiding she gives everyone toward the end is spectacular!
1933 also had some really famous movies that I enjoyed, but wouldn't say were my absolute favorites:
There are so many 1933 films I'm excited to see that for some reason or another I haven't seen (some Netflix/Amazon doesn't have, some are lost films, and some I just haven't gotten around to seeing yet):
It's quite obvious that 1933 was the best year for films ever! :)
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1 comment:
I couldn't agree with you more about the magical 1933 film year! I've seen at least 6 of your unseen movies list, and they are all great too ~ Great post.
JDV
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