
Chorus girls Polly, Carol and Trixie are ecstatic when they learn that Broadway producer Barney Hopkins is putting on a new show. He promises all of the girls parts in the new show and even hires their neighbor Brad Roberts, an unknown composer, to write some of the music. There's only one problem: he doesn't have the money to bankroll it all. That problem is solved when Brad turns out to be quite rich but he insists that he not perform. When opening night comes, the juvenile... (Full plot summary below)
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Chorus girls Polly, Carol and Trixie are ecstatic when they learn that Broadway producer Barney Hopkins is putting on a new show. He promises all of the girls parts in the new show and even hires their neighbor Brad Roberts, an unknown composer, to write some of the music. There's only one problem: he doesn't have the money to bankroll it all. That problem is solved when Brad turns out to be quite rich but he insists that he not perform. When opening night comes, the juvenile lead can't go on forcing Brad to take the stage. He's recognized of course and his upper crust family wants him to quit. When he refuses, they tell him to end his relationship with Polly or face having his income cut off. When Brad's snobbish brother Lawrence mistakes Carol for Polly, the girls decide to have a bit of fun and teach him a lesson.
Leave your thoughts about Gold Diggers of 1933.
| Kansas City KansanSteve CrumWe're still in the money watching this Depression era classic. |
| CinePassionFernando F. CroceThe Depression as a period of artists in suspension, Busby Berkeley to the rescue |
| Journal and Courier (Lafayette, IN)Bob BloomBusby Berkeley's imaginatively-staged numbers steal the show; fun to watch, even today. |
| User ReviewJeremy GThe "Forgotten Man" number is one of the most moving moments in a Busby Berkeley film. |
| User ReviewJacquline GI thought that this was a really cute movie. It is funny and has the pure comedy hollywood was good at before the censors took over. This was a totally enjoyable movie. If i can find it im buying it. |
| User ReviewMatt DThe musical numbers are mind-blowingly awesome and fun but the rest of the film is also full of some great pre-production code wit that is both cynical, a little dirty, and hilarious. They really don't make em like this anymore! |
| User ReviewAj VI'm not sure there is one line in this movie that is not perfect: Perfectly written and perfectly delivered. Ginger Rogers steals every scene she's in, but she's so great that we still don't root for her because we're not supposed to. Also, Joan Blondell is the lead. Why didn't that happen more often? |
| User ReviewSarah PThey don't make them like this anymore. Fantastic. |
| User ReviewJonathan WAnother beautiful film from the ingenious Busby Berkely, Gold Diggers is just as much about the social history of the United States during the Great Depression than it is a dazzling musical. Movies during this era weren't apt to prod a finger at the government, or point out the obvious calamities of the financial crash of 1929. I point specifically to the Astaire/Rogers films, which always had glitz and glamour, looking at the playboy angle of Astaire and the dilettante showgirl that was Rogers. What is great about Gold Diggers is that not only does it address the times, it also shows grandeur towards the rich and romanticizes love, just as the movie musical is supposed to. Because of its eccentricities and allowance to be different, it is much easier to distinguish it from the thousands of other movies of that time period which all portrayed the wealthy and luscious as the happy ones. Not only was it certainly different yet gleeful, it is serious in its intent in showing the poor and downtrodden of the country, especially in the last sequence entitled "Forgotten Man." That number shows the veterans of America who are now homeless and tarnished, one of the most moving song and dance numbers in a musical ever. Busby reuses past actresses Ruby Keeler and Ginger Rogers from his musical of that same year, 42nd Street. Both films had spectacular set design, visual effects, and lovely musical numbers. Though the music in this film was very intriguing and sticks in the brain, two of the three large scale musical numbers were confusing and didn't make sense in the context of the theater. There was still some great costume changes and background, but it was really, very, confusing. Through it all it's got a timeless sense of humor, that has survived throughout, as many good older films have. It's also good to see because it's a Pre-Code film, which deals with sexuality, pre-marital sex, and the times it was set in. Powerful in so many respects, it's one of the best examples of classic cinema. |
| User ReviewCourtney GWatch it not for the acting or story necessarily, but for the musical numbers. They are worth sitting through the whole thing. Beautiful music, awesome costumes, great dancing and singing of course, and amazing visuals (especially Shadow Waltz). |