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42nd Street (1933)

Unrated | | Comedy, Musical, Romance | 11 March 1933 (USA)
A producer puts on what may be his last Broadway show and, at the last moment, a chorus girl has to replace the star.

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(screen play), (screen play) | 1 more credit »
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Nominated for 2 Oscars. Another 1 win. See more awards »
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Cast

Complete credited cast:
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Mac Elroy
Edward J. Nugent ...
Terry
Robert McWade ...
Jones
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Andy Lee
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Storyline

Renowned Broadway producer/director Julian Marsh is hired to put together a new musical revue. It's being financed by Abner Dillon to provide a starring vehicle for his girlfriend, songstress Dorothy Brock. Marsh, who is quite ill, is a difficult task master working long hours and continually pushing the cast to do better. When Brock breaks her ankle one of the chorus girls, Peggy Sawyer, gets her big chance to be the star. She also finds romance along the way. Written by garykmcd

Plot Summary | Add Synopsis

Taglines:

OK. Say, Jones and Barry are doin' a show! - That's great. Jones and Barry are doin' a show.


Certificate:

Unrated | See all certifications »

Parents Guide:

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Details

Country:

Language:

Release Date:

11 March 1933 (USA)  »

Also Known As:

Forty-Second Street  »

Box Office

Budget:

$439,000 (estimated)

Gross:

$2,300,000 (USA)
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Company Credits

Production Co:

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Show detailed on  »

Technical Specs

Runtime:

Sound Mix:

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1
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Did You Know?

Trivia

The film was so financially successful that it saved Warner Brothers from bankruptcy. See more »

Goofs

While in Philadelphia, Julian's position relative to the girls changes as he dismisses them for the night. See more »

Quotes

Billy Lawler: [to Peggy Sawyer] Hey, I've been for you ever since you walked in on me in my BVD's.
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Connections

Referenced in The Odd Couple: Shuffling Off to Buffalo (1974) See more »

Soundtracks

It Must Be June
(1932) (uncredited)
Lyrics by Al Dubin
Music by Harry Warren
Sung by Bebe Daniels, Dick Powell, and chorus girls
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User Reviews

 
No Oscar Nomination for Bebe Daniels?
23 June 2005 | by (United States) – See all my reviews

Perhaps the greatest musical of them all, this lively Warner Bros film boats a great cast and music and served as the prototype plot for scores of other films. Backstage drama in putting on a show when the star falls and breaks her ankle and must be replaced by a newcomer. It worked in film, and it worked in the Broadway stage version of this film. This film also served as a springboard to stardom for Dick Powell, Ruby Keeler, and Ginger Rogers. Warner Baxter stars as the dyspeptic director who harangues his cast into making a great show. Bebe Daniels is his star who is seeing an old boyfriend (George Brent) while stringing along rube producer (Guy Kibbee). Ruby Keeler is the newcomer who has eyes for the show's "juvenile" (Dick Powell) and who is befriended by old hands, Ginger Rogers and Una Merkel. Toss in Ned Sparks, Allen Jenkins, George E. Stone, Louise Beavers, Charles Lane, Lyle Talbot, Henry B. Walthall, and the day's top chorus girl, Toby Wing. Great musical numbers boast the singing talents of Powell and the dancing talents of Keeler. Bebe Daniels also has a great number in "You're Getting to Be a Habit with Me." And Rogers does NOT make a mistake during the "Shuffle Off to Buffalo" number. She starts to say "belly" but changes it to "tummy." It's part of the show, folks! "Belly" was considered to be a vulgar term in 1933; her use of the word shows her character. It's not a mistake. But it is odd that Keeler stars in this number with Clarence Nordstrom rather than Dick Powell. Other songs include "Young and Healthy" and the superb "42nd Street." The best and oft repeated line belongs to Daniels speaking to Keeler: "Now go out there and be so swell …. that you'll make me hate you!" This line is also said by Glenda Jackson to Twiggy in 1971's The Boy Friend.


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