Hollywood Singing and Dancing: A Musical History - The 1930s: Dancing Away the Great Depression (2009)

A two-hour in-depth exploration into the Hollywood musicals of the 1930s.

Director:

Phillip Dye

Writer:

Phillip Dye

Stars:

Shirley Jones, Don Ameche, Fred Astaire

Cast

Credited cast:
Shirley Jones	...	Herself - Hostess & Narrator
Rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Don Ameche	...	Himself (archive footage)
Fred Astaire	...	Himself (archive footage)
Billy Barty	...	Himself (archive footage)
Robert S. Birchard	...	Himself
Roy Bishop	...	Himself
Joan Blondell	...	Herself (archive footage)
Pat Boone	...	Himself
James Cagney	...	Himself (archive footage)
Eddie Cantor	...	Himself (archive footage)
Kitty Carlisle	...	Herself
Leslie Caron	...	Herself
Drew Casper	...	Himself
George Chakiris	...	Himself
Bing Crosby	...	Himself (archive footage)

Storyline

It's been said that America has given the world two thoroughly original art forms... jazz and the movie musical. The 1930s saw the newly born genre of the Hollywood musical bloom with artistry and variety never before imagined. For many film-goers, the Hollywood musical gave them escape and hope during the troubled years of the Great Depression. Highlights of this 2-part program include the magic of director/choreographer Busby Berkeley as his eye-popping, sexy production numbers move to the forefront of the genre. The screen partnership of Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers brings sizzling romance to the screen. The style and grace of these perfect partners was unprecedented. Musical child stars brighten the doldrums of the depression. The musical ladies of 20th-Century Fox are profiled, as well as the dancers that tapped their way into America's hearts. Singing cowboys burst upon the scene creating an entirely new genre, the musical western and many songs and musicals are featured in ...

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Plot Keywords:

1930s | year in title | hyphen in title | colon in title | 

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Genres:

Documentary | Musical

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Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

10 March 2009 (USA)

Filming Locations:

Los Angeles, California, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

Great Musical Treasures

Technical Specs

Runtime:

120 min

Color:

Color

Did You Know?

Connections

Features Fashions of 1934 (1934)

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Soundtracks

When the Sun Is Setting on the Prairie
(uncredited)
Written by Eddie Cherkose and Alberto Colombo
Performed by Roy Rogers
From Billy the Kid Returns (1938)

User Reviews

A Nice General Overview of Period Musicals

This is more a talking heads informative piece than anything else, and quite competent in that department, setting up an excellent 2 hour overview of what each studio contributed to the genre; the clips shown are mainly taken from theatrical previews (trailers, as they were known then) and are of varying quality and mostly familiar.

On the plus side, how often do you see Bobby Breen mentioned when it comes to child stars? Everyone knows about Garland and Temple, Rooney and Deanna Durbin, but little Bobby was RKO's answer to Little Miss Shirley Temple, and although nowhere near her equal, was a big draw for the studio, making a series of kiddie films in which he co-starred with the likes of Basil Rathbone and May Robson (and Sammy The Seal in Fisherman's Wharf!)--details like this make this a worthwhile semi-documentary--two hours is better than none!