 Gold
Diggers of 1933 was the first film Berkeley
did after his huge success with 42nd Street. Its
also the first of his films with "The Great Depression" as
a theme. The first production number of "We're In the Money" was
a clear sign of the times and how money had become such
a problem for Americans during the 1930's. Berkeley
was a huge fan of Roosevelt and this number is his attempt
to help us cope the the hard times in a similar way to
what Roosevelt was doing with "The New Deal". Other
classic Berkeley production numbers included in this film
are "The Shadow Waltz" and "I've Got to Sing a Torch Song".
However,
by far, my favorite from this picture is the "My Forgotten
Man" production number. The cinematic effect of the
marching men in sillouhette along side Joan Blondell's
heart felt rendition is a masterpiece. There had
been many men who fought in WWI and came back to poverty
and neglect as a result of the depression and I think Berkeley
did much to help their cause by bringing this problem to
the attention of us all.
I
think this is my favorite Berkeley film.
The
Cast included:
- Warren
William - J. Lawrence Bradford
- Joan
Blondell - Carol King
- Aline
MacMahon - Trixie Lorraine
- Ruby Keeler - Polly Parker
- Dick Powell - Brad Roberts (Robert Treat Bradford)
- Guy Kibbee - Faneul H. Peabody
- Ned Sparks - Barney
Hopkins
- Ginger Rogers - Fay Fortune
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