Gold Diggers of 1937 (1936)

When two investors inform an opportunistic dancer that they can't fund an elderly stage producer's production, she suggests they get an insurance policy on the producer's life.

Director:

Lloyd Bacon

Writers:

Warren Duff (screen play), Richard Maibaum (based on the play by: "Sweet Mystery of Life")

Stars:

Dick Powell, Joan Blondell, Glenda Farrell

Nominated for 1 Oscar.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Dick Powell	...	Rosmer Peak
Joan Blondell	...	Norma Perry
Glenda Farrell	...	Genevieve Larkin
Victor Moore	...	J.J. Hobart
Lee Dixon	...	Boop Oglethorpe
Osgood Perkins	...	Morty Wethered
Charles D. Brown	...	Hugo (as Chas. D. Brown)
Rosalind Marquis	...	Sally
Irene Ware	...	Irene
William B. Davidson	...	Andy Callahan (as Wm. Davidson)
Olin Howland	...	Dr. MacDuffy
Charles Halton	...	Dr. Bell
Paul Irving	...	Dr. Warshof
Harry C. Bradley	...	Dr. Henry
Joseph Crehan	...	Chairman

Storyline

Stage-producer J.J. Hobart, is going to put on a new show, but he doesn't know that his two partners lost the money at the stock market. Insurance salesman Rosmer Peek falls in love with ex chorus-girl Joan Blondell, who's friend Genevieve tries to land on one of J.J Hobart's partners. They come up with the idea to insure J.J. for $1 Million, to get the money back when he dies. Rosmer sells him the policy. After the insurance company finds out that he's only a hypochondriac, an attempt to kill him accidentally fails, and Genevieve falls in love with J.J. But when J.J. is informed that he is putting on a show with no money he has a breakdown. The only possibility to restore his health is putting on the show, in spite of the lack of money.

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Plot Keywords:

reference to joan of arc | insurance | insurance salesman | hypochondriac | theatre audience | 

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Taglines:

The lid's off and the party's on-as Warner Bros. set the screen world singing, swinging and ringing with joy with a superlative new day edition of the classic "Gold Diggers" (Print Ad-Pittsburg Press, ((Pittsburgh, Penna.)) 24 December 1936)

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Genres:

Comedy | Musical | Romance

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Certificate:

Passed

Did You Know?

Trivia

The song "Hush Mah Mouth" by Harold Arlen and E.Y. Harburg was written for the picture but not used in the final print.

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Goofs

(at around 20 min) A string used to make a stack of books fall onto Dick Powell's head is clearly visible against the white paper background.

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Quotes

J.J. Hobart: Life begins at 59!

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Crazy Credits

The usual disclaimer goes to great lengths to assure us that "The names of all characters -- The characters themselves -- The story - all incidents and institutions portrayed in this production are fictitious -- And no identification with actual persons, living or deceased, is intended or should be inferred."

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Connections

Follows Gold Diggers of Broadway (1929)

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Soundtracks

Let's Put Our Heads Together
(1936)
Music by Harold Arlen
Lyrics by E.Y. Harburg
Sung by Dick Powell (uncredited)
Also sung by Glenda Farrell (uncredited), Rosalind Marquis (uncredited) and chorus

User Reviews

The big budget is gone, but Berkeley still comes through...

The snappy dialogue and pace of Berkeley's previous films are not to be found here--GD of '37 feels more like a Republic musical than a Warners one. The bankroll went to the one big Berkeley number at the end--"All Is Fair In Love and War." It's a simple piece, lines of chorus girls dressed in white against a shiny black floor, but it is simply astonishing (the song is pretty catchy too). There is also a nice little number with Powell and Blondell called "Speaking of The Weather"--an interesting attempt to seamlessly integrate a musical number into the plot. Among the mistakes (besides the script) is the short-shrift given to the best, most popular song in the film--"With Plenty of Money and You."

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

28 December 1936 (USA)

Also Known As:

Vampiresas 1937

Filming Locations:

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

Company Credits

Production Co:

Warner Bros.

Technical Specs

Runtime:

101 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1