This is both my first Busby Berkley film and my first Jimmy Cagney musical film I’ve seen. It’s also my first dive into these dancing showcase films. I’ve only seen Cagney in the gangster pics, which I think he’s just made for (especially cause of his face). He is a great dancer so it’s interesting that he fell into these two niches. A standout for me here is Dick Powell. He has such a love-able face and attitude. While I haven’t see 42ND STREET or GOLD DIGGERS OF 1933 it seems insane that Berkley and Powell worked on all three of these and they all came out in the same year. It’s probably one of the best runs of a person directing films in a row. (even though Berkley only directs the musical and dancing numbers). Joan Blondell is also great as 'Nan. The actual “movie” of the film is okay, but the dance numbers are really impressive. I can’t imagine how expensive it would for someone to do something like it today — as you just don’t see them anymore (unless you count HAIL, CAESER!). The production design is just phenomenal. The racism and the yellow face isn’t great though, but that’s what happens from time to time when you watch stuff from the past (unfortunately).
