GOLD DIGGERS OF 1933 (1933)
In this rather hard-to-pitch romantic comedy musical, a gaggle of insanely sexy and tough Broadway showgirls discover, in the thick of the Great Depression, that one of their beaus, the songwriter next door, has been hiding the fact that he’s a billionaire. When the truth comes out, his controlling family comes out with it, trying to keep him from marrying a low showgirl. The girls decide to emphasize the hypocrisy of his jerk brother and lawyer by seducing them. But things do go as planned.
This movie would be one of the best even if it had no music. It’s one of the funniest scripts and succeeds in being simultaneously cynical and romantic, both painfully sexy and painfully cute. In this pre-code period of movies, the sex-talk was out of control. It’s hard to believe their outfits and discussions were allowed back then. They still seem risque now. This movie is also an unparalleled visual aesthetic achievement. Every object, room, and article of clothing featured in this movie is exquisite. The dancing and movement of the Busby Berkeley musical numbers couldn’t be more tear-jerkingly beautiful and full of joy and humor and boundless creativity. The music is some of the best; “The Shadow Waltz” and “My Forgotten Man” are among my favorite songs ever written. I’d watch this movie any time, any place. I was already in love with many of the “gold digger” movies of the 50’s (GENTLEMEN PREFER BLONDES, HOW TO MARRY A MILLIONAIRE, SOME LIKE IT HOT, etc.) but this is my favorite movie on the subject of seducing millionaires.
