42nd Street ranks among the most popular and influential musicals in American motion-picture history. The film was released in 1933 and marked the first major movie for choreographer (dance designer) Busby Berkeley. In 42nd Street, Berkeley revolutionized movie musicals with his spectacular dance numbers that featured dozens of elaborately costumed chorus girls dancing in massed formations. Berkeley went on to choreograph and direct several other classic Hollywood musicals of the 1930’s.
42nd Street is set in the world of Broadway musical comedy in the early 1930’s. It tells the story of an unknown young actress who replaces the star at the last moment and saves the show. The film has been praised for its authentic theatrical background as well as its sparkling production (song and dance) numbers.
In the movie, Ruby Keeler plays Peggy Sawyer, the small-town girl who gallantly performs for the injured star on opening night. Her romantic partner is Dick Powell. Warner Baxter plays the musical’s tyrannical director. Baxter speaks the famous line “…Sawyer, you’re going out there a youngster but you’ve got to come back a star!”
The supporting cast included the future Hollywood stars George Brent and Ginger Rogers. The musical also featured the well-known character actors Allen Jenkins, Guy Kibbee, Una Merkel, Ned Sparks, and George E. Stone. The director was Lloyd Bacon, but Busby Berkeley was in charge of all the musical numbers.
The score for 42nd Street was written by the songwriting team of Al Dubin (lyrics) and Harry Warren (music). Among the hit songs were “You’re Getting to Be a Habit with Me,” “Shuffle Off to Buffalo,” “Young and Healthy,” and the title song, “42nd Street.”
The film was adapted into a hit Broadway musical that opened in 1980. The stage musical included several songs from the movie and added additional numbers composed by Dubin and Warren, notably “Lullaby of Broadway,” “We’re in the Money,” and “Dames.”
