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Shanghai Lil

Original title: Footlight Parade
  • 19331933
  • PassedPassed
  • 1h 44m
IMDb RATING
7.5/10
5.6K
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
14,013
9,765
James Cagney, Joan Blondell, Ruby Keeler, and Dick Powell in Shanghai Lil (1933)
Trailer for this musical extravaganza
Play trailer3:17
2 Videos
93 Photos
ComedyMusicalRomance

Chester Kent struggles against time, romance, and a rival's spy to produce spectacular live "prologues" for movie houses.Chester Kent struggles against time, romance, and a rival's spy to produce spectacular live "prologues" for movie houses.Chester Kent struggles against time, romance, and a rival's spy to produce spectacular live "prologues" for movie houses.

IMDb RATING
7.5/10
5.6K
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
14,013
9,765
  • Director
    • Lloyd Bacon
  • Writers
    • Manuel Seff(screen play)
    • James Seymour(screen play)
    • Robert Lord(story)
  • Stars
    • James Cagney
    • Joan Blondell
    • Ruby Keeler
Top credits
  • Director
    • Lloyd Bacon
  • Writers
    • Manuel Seff(screen play)
    • James Seymour(screen play)
    • Robert Lord(story)
  • Stars
    • James Cagney
    • Joan Blondell
    • Ruby Keeler
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 80User reviews
    • 47Critic reviews
    • 80Metascore
  • See more at IMDbPro
    • Awards
      • 1 nomination

    Videos2

    Footlight Parade
    Trailer 3:17
    Footlight Parade
    Hollywood's Shared History with Broadway
    Clip 6:12
    Hollywood's Shared History with Broadway

    Photos93

    James Cagney, Joan Blondell, Ruby Keeler, and Dick Powell in Shanghai Lil (1933)
    Shanghai Lil (1933)
    Shanghai Lil (1933)
    Ruby Keeler and Dick Powell in Shanghai Lil (1933)
    Ruby Keeler and Dick Powell in Shanghai Lil (1933)
    Ruby Keeler and Dick Powell in Shanghai Lil (1933)
    Ruby Keeler and Dick Powell in Shanghai Lil (1933)
    Ruby Keeler and Dick Powell in Shanghai Lil (1933)
    Ruby Keeler and Dick Powell in Shanghai Lil (1933)
    Ruby Keeler and Dick Powell in Shanghai Lil (1933)
    Ruby Keeler and Dick Powell in Shanghai Lil (1933)
    Ruby Keeler and Dick Powell in Shanghai Lil (1933)

    Top cast

    Edit
    James Cagney
    James Cagney
    • Chester Kent
    Joan Blondell
    Joan Blondell
    • Nan Prescott
    Ruby Keeler
    Ruby Keeler
    • Bea Thorn
    Dick Powell
    Dick Powell
    • Scotty Blair
    Frank McHugh
    Frank McHugh
    • Francis
    Guy Kibbee
    Guy Kibbee
    • Silas Gould
    Ruth Donnelly
    Ruth Donnelly
    • Mrs. Harriet Gould
    Hugh Herbert
    Hugh Herbert
    • Bowers
    Claire Dodd
    Claire Dodd
    • Vivian Rich
    Gordon Westcott
    Gordon Westcott
    • Thompson
    Arthur Hohl
    Arthur Hohl
    • Frazer
    Renee Whitney
    Renee Whitney
    • Cynthia Kent
    Barbara Rogers
    Barbara Rogers
    • Gracie
    Paul Porcasi
    Paul Porcasi
    • Apolinaris
    Philip Faversham
    Philip Faversham
    • Joe Grant
    Herman Bing
    Herman Bing
    • Fralick
    Avis Adair
    Avis Adair
    • Chorus Girl
    • (uncredited)
    Loretta Andrews
    Loretta Andrews
    • Chorus Girl
    • (uncredited)
    • Director
      • Lloyd Bacon
    • Writers
      • Manuel Seff(screen play)
      • James Seymour(screen play)
      • Robert Lord(story) (uncredited)
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      This film was selected to the National Film Registry, Library of Congress, in 1992.
    • Goofs
      Before the buses leave for the three prologue performances, the call board reads Diana Theatre 8pm, Mercury Theatre 9pm, and Jupiter Theatre 10pm. They arrive at the Jupiter Theatre first and proceed in reverse order from what was written on the call board.
    • Quotes

      Nan Prescott: You scram, before I wrap a chair around your neck!

      Vivian Rich: [Angrily] It's three o'clock in the morning - where do you want me to go?

      [Nan starts to speak, but Vivian immediately cuts her off]

      Vivian Rich: You cheap stenographer...

      Nan Prescott: Outside, countess. As long as they've got sidewalks YOU'VE got a job.

      [Shoves her out, gives her a swift kick in the rump, and slams the door behind her]

    • Connections
      Edited into Busby Berkeley and the Gold Diggers (1969)
    • Soundtracks
      Shanghai Lil
      (1933) (uncredited)
      Music by Harry Warren
      Lyrics by Al Dubin
      Played during the opening credits and often in the score
      Performed by James Cagney, Ruby Keeler and Chorus

    User reviews80

    Review
    Review
    Featured review
    One of the Best Musicals of All Time
    This film to me is the definitive Busby Berkeley musical. It has all the elements that made the Berkely's films popular (beautiful girls, lavish sets and kaleidoscopic dance numbers. The other thing that I love about this film is that it finally allows James Cagney to step from his tough guy/gangster persona and show that he was one of the most versitile entertainers of his era. That's why my favorite production number in the whole film is the "Shanghai Lil". My second favorite sequence was "By a Waterfall", with its surreal imagery. But, the main person who should be commended is Ruby Keeler who gave one helluva performance. This film is definitely an underrated classic.
    helpful•11
    2
    • Sargebri
    • May 7, 2003

    FAQ1

    • What did Otis Ferguson say about Cagney in this film?

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • October 28, 1934 (Finland)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Languages
      • English
      • French
    • Also known as
      • Footlight Parade
    • Filming locations
      • Warner Brothers Burbank Studios - 4000 Warner Boulevard, Burbank, California, USA
    • Production company
      • Warner Bros.
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Budget
      • $703,000 (estimated)
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      1 hour 44 minutes
    • Color
      • Black and White
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.37 : 1

    Related news

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    James Cagney, Joan Blondell, Ruby Keeler, and Dick Powell in Shanghai Lil (1933)
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