Gold Diggers of 1933

US (1933): Musical/Dance

Barney Hopkins (Ned Sparks) is producing a new show on Broadway, but the day before it opens, the set and costumes are confiscated due to unpaid bills. Everybody is sitting on the street and due to Depression there no prospects for the three chorus girls Carol (Joan Blondell), Trixie (Aline MacMahon) and Polly (Ruby Keeler). But they hear rumors, that Hopkins is producing a new show, they invite him to a party, and he promises to give them work - when he's found a backer to produce it. He hears the tunes of the composer next door, Brad Roberts, Pollys friend (Dick Powell). Brad joins them and backs the show. On opening night he takes over for the juvenile lead, who suffers from lumbago. Roberts has been very puplicity-shy, because he belongs to a wealthy upperclass family from Boston. When his family notices what he's doing, his brother Lawrence (Warren William) and the family attorney Faneul H. Peabody (Guy Kibbee) come to New York to end his relationship with Polly. But he mistakes Carol for Polly, who does not correct his mistake. Lawrence decides to separate Polly from Brad by getting her to fall in love with him, but soon he realizes, that he is really in love with that chorus girl. Mervyn LeRoy directs for Warners. (Stephan Eichenberg, IMDb)

This film followed 1929's Gold Diggers of Broadway and featured many of the elements of 42^nd Street. It was followed by several more "Gold Diggers" films. Busby Berkeley choreographed the Harry Warren & Al Dubin musical numbers including Ginger Rogers and chorus performing "The Gold Diggers Song (We're in the Money)", Dick Powell, Ruby Keeler & chorus doing "Shadow Waltz" and "Pettin' in the Park", Powell singing "I've Got to Sing a Torch Song", and the girls performing "Remember My Forgotten Man."

 Use this link to view the original theatrical trailer for Gold Diggers of 1933 on TCM.com.

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