Gold Diggers of 1933 (1933)

A wealthy composer rescues unemployed Broadway performers with a new play.

Director:

Mervyn LeRoy

Writers:

Erwin S. Gelsey (screenplay) (as Erwin Gelsey), James Seymour (screenplay)

Stars:

Warren William, Joan Blondell, Aline MacMahon

Nominated for 1 Oscar. Another 1 win.

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Warren William	...	J. Lawrence Bradford
Joan Blondell	...	Carol King
Aline MacMahon	...	Trixie Lorraine
Ruby Keeler	...	Polly Parker
Dick Powell	...	Brad Roberts
Guy Kibbee	...	Faneul H. Peabody
Ned Sparks	...	Barney Hopkins
Ginger Rogers	...	Fay Fortune

Storyline

Chorus girls Polly, Carol and Trixie are ecstatic when they learn that Broadway producer Barney Hopkins is putting on a new show. He promises all of the girls parts in the new show and even hires their neighbor Brad Roberts, an unknown composer, to write some of the music. There's only one problem: he doesn't have the money to bankroll it all. That problem is solved when Brad turns out to be quite rich but he insists that he not perform. When opening night comes, the juvenile lead can't go on forcing Brad to take the stage. He's recognized of course and his upper crust family wants him to quit. When he refuses, they tell him to end his relationship with Polly or face having his income cut off. When Brad's snobbish brother Lawrence mistakes Carol for Polly, the girls decide to have a bit of fun and teach him a lesson.

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Plot Keywords:

dancing | chorus girl | composer | neighbor | dance | 

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Taglines:

300 Gorgeous GIRLS Hand-picked from more than 5000 applicants. Each a perfect example of feminine beauty...Add these 300 beauties to the 13 stars, 5 song hits and 4 glittering ensembles and you'll know why we call this picture "THE SHOW of a THOUSAND WONDERS"

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Genres:

Comedy | Drama | Musical

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Certificate:

Not Rated

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

27 May 1933 (USA)

Also Known As:

Golddiggers of 1933

Filming Locations:

Warner Brothers Burbank Studios - 4000 Warner Boulevard, Burbank, California, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$433,000 (estimated)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Warner Bros.

Technical Specs

Runtime:

97 min (Turner library print)

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Several cast members in studio records/casting call lists for this movie were not seen in the final print. These were (with their character names): Neely Edwards (Stage Manager), Lilyan Tashman (Eleanor), Louise Beavers (Maid), William Bakewell (Wally), Julia Swayne Gordon (Cissy Grey), Gertrude Short (Topsy), Albert Gran (Blake) and Conway Tearle (Stephen Lee).

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Goofs

During the violin sequence, the cord for the lights on the violin disappears and reappears throughout.

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Quotes

Barney Hopkins: Who are you?
The Kentucky Hillbillies: The Kentucky Hillbillies.
Barney Hopkins: Who?
The Kentucky Hillbillies: The Kentucky Hillbillies.
Kentucky Hillbilly #1: Singing!
Kentucky Hillbilly #2: Dancing!
Kentucky Hillbilly #3: Music!
Kentucky Hillbilly #4: Wisecracks!
Barney Hopkins: Do you know Your Old Kentucky Home?
The Kentucky Hillbillies: You said it!
[...]

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Connections

Referenced in Ted 2 (2015)

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Soundtracks

Pettin' in the Park
(1933) (uncredited)
Music by Harry Warren
Lyrics by Al Dubin
Performed by Ruby Keeler and Clarence Nordstrom in rehearsal, Dick Powell,
Ruby Keeler, Aline MacMahon, Billy Barty and chorus in the show

User Reviews

THE HAPPY ENDING IS NOT THE END.

There is a pattern to 1930's Hollywood musicals; struggle to put on show proceeds alongside struggle for love to conquer all. And in the end both struggles are successfully concluded. It is a pattern that is broken by "Gold Diggers Of 1933". Sure, all of the usual elements are in place, including the Hungry, Penniless Showgirl Depression setting. But where this movie differs is in the fact that after the various plot strands are neatly tied up, it doesn't end. Instead, we are treated to the last big production number,"My Forgotten Man", as downbeat as it was possible to get in 30's Hollywood. All the Busby Berkeley musicals paid lip service to the Great Depression, but this one goes much further, as "My Forgotten Man" was the last, most enduring image of the film, and the one that audiences left the theatre with. It's placement was a brave decision on the part of whoever made it, and it would be interesting to learn of the public reaction at the time. Because while it is undoubtedly true that in an era of deprivation, you can't blithely make movies that are totally divorced from reality, it's equally true that people want to be reassured there is a better life, and they won't be scratching around in the dirt forever. Personally, I love the number, and it's placement. It's something that has fascinated me since my very first viewing 7 years ago, but it seems to be a point that not a lot of critics have picked up on. Perhaps it wasn't so unusual after all!