Dames (1934)

A multimillionaire decides to boycott "filthy" forms of entertainment such as Broadway shows.

Directors:

Ray Enright, Busby Berkeley

Writers:

Delmer Daves (screen play), Robert Lord (story)

Stars:

Joan Blondell, Dick Powell, Ruby Keeler

1 win.

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Joan Blondell	...	Mabel
Dick Powell	...	Jimmy
Ruby Keeler	...	Barbara
Zasu Pitts	...	Mathilda
Guy Kibbee	...	Horace
Hugh Herbert	...	Ezra
Arthur Vinton	...	Bulger - Ounce's Bodyguard
Phil Regan	...	Johnny Harris - Songwriter
Arthur Aylesworth	...	Train Conductor
Johnny Arthur	...	Billings - Ounce's Secretary
Leila Bennett	...	Laura - Matilda's Maid
Berton Churchill	...	Harold Ellsworthy Todd
Rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Bess Flowers	...	(scenes deleted)
Richard Quine	...	(unconfirmed)

Storyline

Multi-millionaire Ezra Ounce wants to start a campaign against 'filthy' forms of entertainment, like Broadway-Shows. He comes to his relatives families and makes them members of his morale-boosting campaign. But Jimmy, another relative is producing a show, starring Ezra's niece Barbara. But he had bad luck with his backer, this person has given him an invalid check. Another of his victims, the show-girl Mabel has the idea of blackmailing Horace, Barbara's father, whom she has met before in a slightly compromising situation to get the money.

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Plot Keywords:

money | waving a handkerchief | handheld mirror | throwing rotten tomatoes at a stage performance | publicity | 

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Genres:

Comedy | Musical | Romance

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Certificate:

Approved

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

1 September 1934 (USA)

Also Known As:

Abbasso le donne

Filming Locations:

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

Company Credits

Production Co:

Warner Bros.

Technical Specs

Runtime:

91 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

The song "I Only Have Eyes for You" from this movie became a very big hit for the "doo-wop" group The Flamingos in 1959. In 1989 it won the ASCAP award for the "Most Performed Feature Film Standard".

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Goofs

While Joan Blondell is singing "The Girl at the Ironing Board", a stage hand is seen in the background hanging a clothesline.

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Quotes

Mabel: Beat it, Buttercup.

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Connections

Referenced in The Boy Friend (1971)

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Soundtracks

When You Were a Smile on Your Mother's Lips (and a Twinkle in Your Daddy's Eye)
(1934) (uncredited)
Music by Sammy Fain
Lyrics by Irving Kahal
Sung by Dick Powell

User Reviews

Same Good, Same Bad

It always amazes me that I love these Busby Berkeley extravagant dance numbers, and that I like Ruby Keeler, Dick Powell and Joan Blondell yet these movies which supply all of the above are usually just awful, aside from the music. The fantastic sets of Berkeley are the only reason I wind up watching any of these (Footlight Parade, 42nd Street, Gold Diggers of 1933, 1935, etc.).

The stories are weak and simply stupid and usually annoying to watch and most of them are so unmemorable nobody can tell you what was in either film, only what Berkeley did with some of the hundreds of dancers. Even the famous "42nd Street" features some loud, obnoxious characters. How Guy Kibbee was considered funny, I can't figure out, but he was in a number of these films including this one, as was the almost-as-lame High Herbert.

This movie gets a bonus point, however, for including the always interesting Blondell. Also, the big number "I Only Have Eyes For You," was a nice tribute to Keeler.

Overall, the same as all the Berkeley films: great sets, great dancing, great-looking girls, dumb characters and dumb story.