Live Life Team
Genre: Musical
Director: Lloyd Bacon
Starring Cast: Warner Baxter, Bebe Daniels, George Brent, Ruby Keeler
The word goes up and down the street: producers Jones and Day are doing a new show “Pretty Lady”. Rich business magnate Abner Dillon is backing the musical to please leading lady Dorothy Brock. Veteran director Julian Marsh, though a sick man, signs up because he needs the money. He picks fifty girls by looking at their legs, including stage worn showgirls Lorraine, Annie and wide eyed newcomer Peggy. Marsh drives the girls through tough rehearsals, off stage relationships are in an uproar and, on the eve of the first night, Dorothy hurts her ankle. Peggy is sent on instead, and comes back a star.
42nd Street was a tale, not of glamour, but of the grim reality of theatre life, with its heartbreaks and grinding work schedules. It was also the film that saved Warner Brothers from bankruptcy. Furthermore in 42nd Street, the Broadway choreographer Busby Berkeley came into his own on film. He contrasts real life on 42nd Street with his superb chorus girl revue pieces and the extraordinary camera angles used to film them, creating kaleidoscopes, waves and chandeliers of exquisitely dressed girls.
Famously including the song “42nd Street”, the show is a sensation and in its finale Marsh turns away jaded from the intensely lit theatre foyer, and slouches down on a fire escape in the darkness, to peacefully enjoy his accomplishments.
