IMDb RATING
7.7/10
9.4K
YOUR RATING
A wealthy composer rescues unemployed Broadway performers with a new play, but insists on remaining anonymous.A wealthy composer rescues unemployed Broadway performers with a new play, but insists on remaining anonymous.A wealthy composer rescues unemployed Broadway performers with a new play, but insists on remaining anonymous.
- Nominated for 1 Oscar
- 1 win & 1 nomination total
Robert Agnew
- Dance Director
- (uncredited)
Loretta Andrews
- Gold Digger
- (uncredited)
Monica Bannister
- Gold Digger
- (uncredited)
Bonnie Bannon
- Gold Digger
- (uncredited)
Joan Barclay
- Gold Digger
- (uncredited)
Billy Barty
- Baby in 'Pettin' in the Park' Number
- (uncredited)
Busby Berkeley
- Call Boy
- (uncredited)
Bonnie Blackwood
- Chorus girl
- (uncredited)
Eric Blore
- Complaining Club Member
- (uncredited)
Audrene Brier
- Gold Digger
- (uncredited)
Storyline
Did you know
- TriviaDuring rehearsals of "We're in the Money", Ginger Rogers began goofing off and singing in pig Latin. Studio executive Darryl F. Zanuck overheard her, and suggested she do it for real in the movie.
- GoofsWhen Brad plays piano for Mr. Hopkins, his fingers don't match the sound of the piano.
- Quotes
Trixie Lorraine: "Fanny" is Faneul H. Peabody, just the kind of man I've been looking for, lots of money and no resistance.
- ConnectionsEdited into Busby Berkeley and the Gold Diggers (1969)
- SoundtracksThe Gold Diggers' Song (We're in the Money)
(uncredited)
Music by Harry Warren
Lyrics by Al Dubin
Played during the opening credits and often in the score
Performed by Ginger Rogers (in English and Pig-Latin) and chorus
Played also as dance music by a band
Featured review
With the success of "42nd Street," Warner Brothers wasted no time adding Busby Berkeley musical numbers to "Gold Diggers of 1933." Starring Dick Powell and Ruby Keeler, this musical also has some of the same Depression darkness that permeated "42nd Street." "It's the Depression, dearie," Ginger Rogers says as the show she and her fellow chorines are laboring in closes in rehearsal due to lack of funding. However, Brad (Powell), a composer in a nearby apartment who's sweet on Polly (Keeler), offers to give Ned Sparks the money he needs to produce his new show. His only condition is that Polly be featured. Everyone wonders where he got the money, and a news item plus the fact that he refuses to appear in the show make the girls suspicious that he's a bank robber. In fact, he's the scion of a wealthy man (Warren William), who soon appears on the scene with his attorney (Guy Kibbee) when Brad steps in for the lumbago-ridden juvenile lead. Polly's roommates Trixie and Carol (Joan Blondell and Aline MacMahon) go to work on the two immediately.
Though the film has some fantastic numbers - "We're in the Money," "The Shadow Waltz," "Pettin' in the Park," and great Busby Berkeley choreography, the middle section has no music and drags on as the gals meet the men, get them to pay for expensive hats, etc. This is probably because the film was completed when the musical numbers were added. But the final number is worth the whole film. "Remember Your Forgotten Man" is a tribute to the World War I soldiers now out of work in the Depression, and not only are the production effects and choreography fantastic, but the singing as well, particularly the solo work by Etta Morton. Blondell, who from the sound of it in Dames was completely tone deaf, is beautifully dubbed here.
Ginger Rogers shines in a supporting role especially with her pig Latin lyrics to "We're in the Money" which were added after she was heard fooling around in a rehearsal. Powell is in gorgeous voice in all the numbers, but "I've Got to Sing a Torch Song" is a high point.
It's easy to watch the dancing, the beautiful women in their costumes, and listen to the singing and forget what in fact was going on in the '30s - after all, that's why these films were made. But the "Forgotten Man" number serves as a reminder then and today that for the people sitting in the theaters, their troubles were right outside the door.
Though the film has some fantastic numbers - "We're in the Money," "The Shadow Waltz," "Pettin' in the Park," and great Busby Berkeley choreography, the middle section has no music and drags on as the gals meet the men, get them to pay for expensive hats, etc. This is probably because the film was completed when the musical numbers were added. But the final number is worth the whole film. "Remember Your Forgotten Man" is a tribute to the World War I soldiers now out of work in the Depression, and not only are the production effects and choreography fantastic, but the singing as well, particularly the solo work by Etta Morton. Blondell, who from the sound of it in Dames was completely tone deaf, is beautifully dubbed here.
Ginger Rogers shines in a supporting role especially with her pig Latin lyrics to "We're in the Money" which were added after she was heard fooling around in a rehearsal. Powell is in gorgeous voice in all the numbers, but "I've Got to Sing a Torch Song" is a high point.
It's easy to watch the dancing, the beautiful women in their costumes, and listen to the singing and forget what in fact was going on in the '30s - after all, that's why these films were made. But the "Forgotten Man" number serves as a reminder then and today that for the people sitting in the theaters, their troubles were right outside the door.
- How long is Gold Diggers of 1933?Powered by Alexa
Details
Box office
- Budget
- $433,000 (estimated)
- Gross worldwide
- $105
- Runtime1 hour 37 minutes
- Color
- Sound mix
- Aspect ratio
- 1.33 : 1
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