Gold Diggers of 1935 (1935)

Director:

Busby Berkeley

Writers:

Robert Lord (story)
Peter Milne (screenplay)

Release Date:

15 March 1935 (USA)

Genre:

Comedy | Musical

Plot:

In a luxury hotel stage director Nicoleff stages a show to get the money to pay his bills. Mrs. Prentiss...

Plot Keywords:

Millionaire | Piano | Cheat | Scandal | Stage Performance

Awards:

Won Oscar. Another 1 nomination

Cast

Dick Powell	...	Dick Curtis
Adolphe Menjou	...	Nicoleff
Gloria Stuart	...	Ann Prentiss
Alice Brady	...	Mrs. Prentiss
Hugh Herbert	...	T. Mosley Thorpe
Glenda Farrell	...	Betty Hawes
Frank McHugh	...	Humbolt Prentiss
Joseph Cawthorn	...	Schultz
Grant Mitchell	...	Louis Lamson
Dorothy Dare	...	Arline Davis
Wini Shaw	...	Winny (as Winifred Shaw)

Runtime:

98 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono | Vitaphone

Certification:

Canada:G (Ontario) | USA:Approved (PCA #580) | Australia:G

Company:

First National Pictures

Goofs:

Miscellaneous: In the scene where many people pay 25 dollars each for tickets to the charity musical (59:10 into the film) the money being paid is very clearly in pesos. In fact, each of the top bills clearly states 'Vente Pesos' and are obviously not American bills. Yet, all the dialog keeps referring to 'dollars' and there is no indication that Lake Waxapahachie, where the resort is located, is anything but an American resort.

Movie Connections:

Referenced in The Nine Lives of Fritz the Cat (1974)

Soundtrack:

Moonlight and You

More Busby and an early glimpse at an actress of 'Titanic' proportions

"Golddiggers of 1935" stars Alice Brady as a cheapskate determined that her daughter will marry a wealthy older man as planned. In order to make sure this happens, she gives her daughter a last wish as a single woman, which is to let her do what she wants (i.e., have fun) all summer at the resort where they're staying. So mom hires the student doctor at the reception desk, Dick (Dick Powell) to escort her around. Oh, and then there's the show for the milk fund. And what a show! The daughter in question is the beautiful Gloria Stuart, who a mere 60+ years later will receive an Oscar nomination for "Titanic" and make it at last! 96 at the time of this writing, Stuart today is completely recognizable as that dazzling blond of her youth. There's no mistaking those incredible eyes or wonderful voice. It was really a treat to see her in this.

The film is remarkable for its milk fund numbers only - the rest of it isn't much. Berkeley pulled out all the stops with a mesmerizing array of moving white pianos played by chorus girls in gowns, and follows it up with "Lullaby of Broadway." Sensational - so imaginative, dark, and atmospheric, truly one of the best numbers in cinema. Its unusual beginning (also done at the end) will cue you in immediately that you're about to see something different.

The cast is first rate - Powell, Stuart, Brady, Hugh Herbert, Dorothy Dare, Glenda Farrell, and Adolphe Menjou. Parts of it are overacted, almost as if the actors were on stage, but you won't be sorry you saw Berkeley's work at its best.