FOOTLIGHT PARADE MOVIE

Rarely has such artistic obsessiveness been made so damn irresistible. “Just as Cagney is able to infuse the whole film with pedal-to-the-metal energy through sheer charisma, so is Berkeley able to momentarily silence criticisms-of political incorrectness (this is pre-Code 1930s, after all), of racial insensitivity, of sexism-through his taste for astonishing visual extravagance and exhilarating “can-you-top-this” chutzpah. “Three of Berkeley’s best numbers back-to-back!” Busby Berkeley, the greatest choreographer in Hollywood musicals. “Irresistibly wonderful example of Busby Berkeley’s pinwheel choreography.” 'Footlight Parade: Sounds of the American Musical' gives listeners the best seat in the house for a celebration of Broadway and Hollywood musicals from the early 20th century to current hits: from Gershwin, Berlin and Rodgers & Hammerstein to Lin-Manuel Miranda. 35mm print preserved by Library of Congress. (1933, Lloyd Bacon) Busbyberkeleython: Jimmy Cagney’s high-steppin’ search through the opium dens for “Shanghai Lil” Ruby Keeler, aquatic ballet “By a Waterfall,” and a stop at the hot and horny Honeymoon Hotel. All the Berkeley sequences demonstrate this unique auteur’s astonishing powers to transform straightforward performative set-ups into abstract micro-worlds of consistently evolving experimental art, shooting and virtually editing in one camera with almost Hitchcockian foresight and precision.” “Once the numbers get going, nothing else matters!”

FOOTLIGHT PARADE MOVIE

“The movie thrives and survives on Berkeley’s genius for all his spectacular theatrical flair, he’s a sociobiologist in rhythm.” James Cagney plays Chester Kent who struggles against time, romance, and a rivals spy to produce spectacular live prologues for movie houses. It sums up what is meant by the phrase “pure thirties.” Those behind the curtains were hit as bad as those in front. “A funny, good-natured backstage musical, and a Depression period piece as well. 84 Reviews Hide Spoilers Sort by: Filter by Rating: 10/10 Busby's Surreal best bkoganbing 14 March 2006 The Stock Market Crash of 1929 and the Depression following almost ruined the American Musical Theater, in fact it was the final death blow to vaudeville. The Pre-Code Busby Berkeley musical, with some of his most eye-popping numbers ever.

(1933, Mervyn LeRoy) Coin-clad Ginger Rogers warbles “We’re In The Money,” Ruby Keeler falls for tunesmith Dick Powell, and Joan Blondell fends off lecherous Warren William.

Footlight parade