7.2/10
1,550
44 user 16 critic

Dames (1934)

Approved | | Comedy, Musical, Romance | 1 September 1934 (USA)
Dames Poster
A multimillionaire decides to boycott "filthy" forms of entertainment such as Broadway shows.

Directors:

,

Writers:

(screen play), (story) | 1 more credit »

Stars:

, , | See full cast & crew »
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1 win. See more awards »

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Cast

Complete credited cast:
... Mabel
... Jimmy
... Barbara
... Mathilda
... Horace
... Ezra
... Bulger - Ounce's Bodyguard
... Johnny Harris - Songwriter
... Train Conductor
... Billings - Ounce's Secretary
... Laura - Matilda's Maid
... Harold Ellsworthy Todd
Rest of cast listed alphabetically:
... (scenes deleted)
... (unconfirmed)
See full cast »
Edit

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. Written by Stephan Eichenberg <eichenbe@fak-cbg.tu-muenchen.de>

Plot Summary | Add Synopsis

Plot Keywords:

money | waving a handkerchief | handheld mirror | throwing rotten tomatoes at a stage performance | publicity | See All (155) »

Genres:

Comedy | Musical | Romance

Certificate:

Approved | See all certifications »

Parents Guide:

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Details

Country:

Language:

Release Date:

1 September 1934 (USA)  »

Also Known As:

Abbasso le donne  »

Filming Locations:

Company Credits

Production Co:

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Technical Specs

Runtime:

Sound Mix:

Color:

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1
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Did You Know?

Trivia

The studio wanted Broadway dancer Eleanor Powell for a special dance, but she refused the offer. See more »

Goofs

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

Quotes

Mabel: I'd cry but I haven't got a handkerchief.
See more »

Connections

Spoofed in Gremlins 2: The New Batch (1990) See more »

Soundtracks

My Bonnie Lies Over the Ocean
(uncredited)
Traditional
Sung by chorus with modified lyrics during "The Girl at the Ironing Board" number
See more »

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User Reviews

 
Slight plot, great music, and Busby Berkley. Isn't that enough?
18 June 2004 | by – See all my reviews

Dick Powell and the music of Warren and Dubin is reason enough to watch this otherwise average musical. Busby Berkley's choreography is an aquired taste - I prefer the elegance of Hermes Pan/Fred Astaire and the expert tapping of George Murphy and Eleanor Powell, or even the highly entertaining Bill "Bojangles" Robinson and Shirley Temple duets. But these all came later than DAMES and Berkley's eye-candy style is highly entertaining and, sometimes, memorable.

I never thought Ruby Keeler was terribly talented and her lack of acting ability does show, especially in the company of such accomplished players as Joan Blondell, Powell, Hugh Herbert, and Guy Kibbee. Keeler's acting is passable, if a bit clumsy, and I find her dancing adequate. (She was called, in some 1930s circles, "The Stomper" for her heavy-footed tapping.)

What makes this film a winner is the music. The title song is wonderful and the splendid "I Only Have Eyes For You" is one of the best songs ever written for a movie. That song is fully performed twice, once about midway into the film and, differently, near the end. The later performance is fine, the former one of the screen's greatest musical numbers. Powell sings it with his beautiful high tenor and Berkley provides probably his best ever production. I dare the viewer to not get goose bumps when watching this.

Take away the music and Busby Berkley and you're left with not much except a (mostly) great cast. I give "DAMES" my highest rating for the music and production numbers and a solid middle ranking for the plot. One could do a lot worse than spend 90 minutes with DAMES.
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