3rd Mondays Talking Talkies with John Boschen: 42nd Street (1933)

Join movie historian John Boschen as we kick up our heels with the advent of the pre-code 1930’s musical. Featuring Academy Award winner Waren Baxter (Old Arizona) across from the infectious Bebe Daniels (The Malteses Falcon). Nominated for Best Picture and Best Sound at the Academy Awards 42nd Street was preserved by the Library of Congress in 1998 on the National Film Registry. The American film Institute lists it as the 13th best musical of all time. With 96% on Rotton Tomatoes, this film is sure to please.

Renowned Broadway producer/director Julian Marsh is hired to put together a new musical revue. It’s being financed by Abner Dillon to provide a starring vehicle for his girlfriend, songstress Dorothy Brock. Marsh, who is quite ill, is a difficult taskmaster who works long hours and continually pushes the cast to do better. When Brock breaks her ankle one of the chorus girls, Peggy Sawyer, gets her big chance to be the star. She also finds romance along the way

CAST: Dick Powell, Ruby Keeler, Warner Baxter, Bebe Daniels, George Brent, Guy Kibbee

DIRECTOR: Lloyd Bacon

RUN TIME: 89 min