Hollywood Singing and Dancing: A Musical History - The 1930s: Dancing Away the Great Depression (Video 2009)

A two-hour in-depth exploration into the Hollywood musicals of the 1930s.

Director:

Phillip Dye

Writer:

Phillip Dye

Stars:

Shirley Jones, Amanda Abel, Don Ameche

Cast

Credited cast:
Shirley Jones	...	Herself - Host and Narrator
Rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Amanda Abel	...	Herself
Don Ameche	...	Himself (archive footage)
Fred Astaire	...	Himself (archive footage)
Billy Barty	...	Himself (archive footage)
Robert S. Birchard	...	Himself
Roy Bishop	...	Himself
Joan Blondell	...	Herself (archive footage)
Pat Boone	...	Himself
James Cagney	...	Himself (archive footage)
Eddie Cantor	...	Himself (archive footage)
Kitty Carlisle	...	Herself
Leslie Caron	...	Herself
Drew Casper	...	Himself
George Chakiris	...	Himself

Storyline

It's been said that America has given the world two thoroughly original art forms... jazz and the movie musical. The 1930s saw the newly born genre of the Hollywood musical bloom with artistry and variety never before imagined. For many film-goers, the Hollywood musical gave them escape and hope during the troubled years of the Great Depression. Highlights of this 2-part program include the magic of director/choreographer Busby Berkeley as his eye-popping, sexy production numbers move to the forefront of the genre. The screen partnership of Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers brings sizzling romance to the screen. The style and grace of these perfect partners was unprecedented. Musical child stars brighten the doldrums of the depression. The musical ladies of 20th-Century Fox are profiled, as well as the dancers that tapped their way into America's hearts. Singing cowboys burst upon the scene creating an entirely new genre, the musical western and many songs and musicals are featured in ...

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Plot Keywords:

1930s | hyphen in title | colon in title | year in title

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Genres:

Documentary | Musical

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Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

10 March 2009 (USA)

Filming Locations:

Los Angeles, California, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

Great Musical Treasures

Technical Specs

Color:

Color

Did You Know?

Connections

Features The Wizard of Oz (1939)

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Soundtracks

"I Found a New Way to Go to Town"
(uncredited)
Music by Harvey Brooks
Lyrics by Gladys DuBois and Ben Ellison
Performed by Mae West
From I'm No Angel

User Reviews

Very good.

A few months back, I watched and enjoyed "That's Entertainment!" as well as its two followup films. These films were compilations of the song and dance numbers from many, many MGM films. And, while MGM was perhaps the greatest studio when it came to musicals, these films were wonderful BUT woefully incomplete. Wonderful musicals by RKO, 20th Century-Fox, Warner Brothers and other studios were ignored--and "Hollywood Singing and Dancing: A Musical History" attempts to give a more thorough examination of the musical--and I appreciate that. However, it sure is a tall order! In this particular installment, "The 1930s: Dancing Away the Great Depression", films from this decade alone are examined. The films of such celebrities as Eddie Cantor, Fred Astaire, Bing Crosby, Ruby Keeler and many others are discussed. On hand as host is Shirley Jones as well as many interviews with celebrities of the era--many of which have passed away since this DVD was created.

The compilation has a few minor problems. There are no DVD or closed captions, the film's length is too short to cover all these films and stars and some of the films shown are not identified while some are--which frustrates film fiends like myself. However, the clips they used were generally in very good conditions and it was very nice to see so many old time stars. Well worth seeing.