Oh, that shocking Gold Diggers ad. Really fun to see all the stars in the We're in the Money number. What a cast. And, those Busby Berkeley numbers were amazing ... even though this particular song has always made me a bit sick.
The Matrons of 1930s America must have been clutching their pearls at that ad!
I've always adored the spectacle of a big Busby Berkeley number! [Especially when, according to the "plot" of such films, the action is supposed to be taking place in a small theatre - then the camera pans out and it's actually the size of an aircraft hangar.] Jx
I've read for years about Ginger Rogers singing We're in the Money in pig latin, but I'd never actually heard it. It turns out it is just as wonderfully stupid as it sounds.
What about the Remember My Forgotten Man number? It had its profound moments. I'd say more than moments. It's a funny, fluffy, camp film that's very conscious of the world outside itt. That's how I see it anyway. The girls really *need* to find rich husbands and the audience really *needs * to have a good time watching them.
My Dad used to laugh at those potty Busby Berkeley numbers - as you say, tiny theatre, and aircraft hanger stage! I loved them! I spent many weekends watching the film matinees on TV. Sx
Oh! The Sunday Matinee - does any channel do those any more? Jx
PS We used to call them "ironing films" - Mother used to set up the ironing board, low enough for her to sit at, and do a week's worth of laundry while engrossed in them. Simpler times.
My mum did much the same, but the ironing board was set up behind the chairs and she did it standing. I notice that Leslie Howard is mentioned in your poster - my mum had a thing for him, as well as Danny Kaye, and Douglas Fairbanks Jr. So during the ironing films there was also a lot of swooning!! Sx
That's quite an eclectic mix of "swoonables" - mind you, there were some devastatingly handsome men on screen in Hollywood's Golden Age, such as Cary Grant, Gary Cooper and Gregory Peck, worth swooning over.
Oh, that shocking Gold Diggers ad. Really fun to see all the stars in the We're in the Money number. What a cast. And, those Busby Berkeley numbers were amazing ... even though this particular song has always made me a bit sick.
ReplyDeleteThe Matrons of 1930s America must have been clutching their pearls at that ad!
DeleteI've always adored the spectacle of a big Busby Berkeley number! [Especially when, according to the "plot" of such films, the action is supposed to be taking place in a small theatre - then the camera pans out and it's actually the size of an aircraft hangar.] Jx
One of my favourite movies! Thank you!
ReplyDeleteIt's a feast for the senses, isn't it? Jx
DeleteI've read for years about Ginger Rogers singing We're in the Money in pig latin, but I'd never actually heard it. It turns out it is just as wonderfully stupid as it sounds.
ReplyDeleteNo-one could ever accuse 1930s musicals of profundity... Jx
DeleteWhat about the Remember My Forgotten Man number? It had its profound moments. I'd say more than moments. It's a funny, fluffy, camp film that's very conscious of the world outside itt. That's how I see it anyway. The girls really *need* to find rich husbands and the audience really *needs * to have a good time watching them.
DeleteOf course they did! 1933 was right in the midst of the Great Depression. Jx
DeleteYeah, I wasn't sure what you meant by profundity but there is a lot of bite, and a lot sadness and poignancy to that movie
DeleteMy Dad used to laugh at those potty Busby Berkeley numbers - as you say, tiny theatre, and aircraft hanger stage! I loved them! I spent many weekends watching the film matinees on TV.
ReplyDeleteSx
Oh! The Sunday Matinee - does any channel do those any more? Jx
DeletePS We used to call them "ironing films" - Mother used to set up the ironing board, low enough for her to sit at, and do a week's worth of laundry while engrossed in them. Simpler times.
My mum did much the same, but the ironing board was set up behind the chairs and she did it standing.
DeleteI notice that Leslie Howard is mentioned in your poster - my mum had a thing for him, as well as Danny Kaye, and Douglas Fairbanks Jr. So during the ironing films there was also a lot of swooning!!
Sx
Must be a generational thing!
DeleteThat's quite an eclectic mix of "swoonables" - mind you, there were some devastatingly handsome men on screen in Hollywood's Golden Age, such as Cary Grant, Gary Cooper and Gregory Peck, worth swooning over.
Think Alan Bennett mentions his mum's crush on Leslie Howard.
DeleteIn exceptionally fruity tones, no doubt. Jx
DeleteIt's in a book! Untold Stories.
DeleteBreathtaking, indeed. I'd venture out to the cinema to see extravagant costumes, light-up violins, and complicated choreography!
ReplyDeleteHow life should be! Jx
Delete