I saw Gold Diggers of 1933 last night. It's a great Mervyn LeRoy-directed musical from — you guessed it — 1933. This was the second in the series of Gold Digger... movies WB put out during those years. It, and the first, Gold Diggers of Broadway (1929), were very successful, due in large part to Busby Berkeley's choreography. An interesting tidbit about the 1929 Gold Diggers is that it was the second full-length color sound feature film ever made.
Back to the 1933 version, which as I said, is made memorable by Busby Berkeley's choreography. One of his trademarks was the chorus girl close-up. Well, you'll get an eyeful of that right at the start of this picture, when he zooms into Ginger Rogers' face so much you'll think he's going to go into the nose. I kid you not, the movie's worth watching just for this uncomfortable shot. At the very least, you'll be startled. Now, imagine how Ginger must have felt when she saw her teeth gracing the entire screen.
Incidentally, she has a supporting role in this movie, popping in and out of scenes here and there. The main roles are held by Joan Blondell, Aline MacMahon, Ruby Keeler and Dick Powell. If you want to see real plaque in action on the big screen, watch for Guy Kibbee's teeth on the close-ups. Yuck! How often did they do dental cleanings in those days?
Ned Sparks plays the role of Barney Hopkins, the shows' producer, in his own cranky, yet lovable way. Remember him from One in a Million? Well, he's thinner in this movie.
A memorable quote from the movie occurs when Joan Blondell reconciles with Warren William: "Cheap and vulgar!" she quips sarcastically and repeatedly, as he kisses her.
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Article comments
1 - Frank Frick
Hey, no mention of Ginger Rogers singing in pig latin? She sings a verse of "We're in the Money" in igpay atinlay.
2 - Raoul Pop
I assumed everyone who saw or heard the movie remembered that. :-) It's one of those unique movie moments where you go ask yourself if you're really hearing it or not. Cool stuff!