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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Taglines:

The GAYEST, GIRLIEST, GREATEST MUSICAL of 1934! (Print Ad- Philadelphia Inquirer, ((Philadelphia, Penna.)) 26 August 1934)

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

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Goofs

The Hemingway mansion is located at 420 W. 10th St, according to the invitation to the meeting of The Ounce Foundation for American Morals. 420 W. 10th St, if it existed, would be located in the Hudson River off Pier 45. The adjacent neighborhood is Christopher Street - West Village, and area not likely (then or now) to be sympathetic to moral "elevation."

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Quotes

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

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Connections

Referenced in I Only Have Eyes for You (1937)

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Soundtracks

Try to See It My Way
(1934) (uncredited)
Music by Allie Wrubel
Lyrics by Mort Dixon
Sung by Dick Powell
Reprised by Joan Blondell and chorus in the show

User Reviews

Simply Swell!

Great songs and production numbers make this snappy musical a must for fans

of 30s films. Great cast has Dick Powell, Joan Blondell, Ruby Keeler, Guy

Kibbee, Hugh Herbert, Zasu Pitts, Leilah Bennett, Johnny Arthur, and Berton

Churchill in top form. Dick Powell sings "Dames" better than Harvey Fierstein! and Joan Blondell gets a couple numbers here: "The Girl at the Ironing Board" and a reprise of "Try to See It My Way, Baby." Ruby has only one dance number but sports Joan Crawford eyebrows! Pitts, Kibbee and Herbert are terrific in solid support of the stars. The Busby Berkley finale is one of his best as the "dames" go thru their paces in geometric patterns of leg art. The film's big song is "I Only Have Eyes for You" and is well done by Dick Powell----who is unjustly

underrated today.......