Remove ads

Information

Year
1933
Runtime
104 min.
Director
Lloyd Bacon
Genres
Romance, Comedy, Musical
Rating *
7.7
Votes *
3,803
Checks
1,597
Favs
108
Dislikes
13
Favs/checks
6.8% (1:15)
Favs/dislikes
8:1
* View IMDb information

Top comments

  1. Siskoid's avatar

    Siskoid

    If 1933's Footlight Parade is a musical, it really makes you wait for it, only dribbling out a short number somewhere in the middle and showing some rehearsal shenanigans for the length of two acts. But as a fast-talking comedy about James Cagney going mad trying to put on a dozen shows simultaneously so theater can stay afloat in the wake of talky moving pictures' popularity (and cost efficiency), with a couple of romantic subplots thrown in, it's pretty fun. The main cast - Cagney, Blondell, Keeler and Powell - are well supported by amusing eccentrics like the easily-convinced boss, and the movie's MVP, the miserable, pessimistic dance choreographer. It coasts on its frenetic energy and then the third act hits. Three, back-to-back, and totally impossible musical numbers choreographed by Busby Berkeley, one of which must surely be the best water-based musical number of all time. I can't even. And for pre-Code enthusiasts (of whose number I count myself) will be keen on the sheer amount of innuendo throughout (including in the musical numbers, though the word innuendo is perhaps too soft for it). 4 years 7 months ago
  2. meerkate's avatar

    meerkate

    In my opinion, much better than 42nd Street. 10 years 9 months ago
  3. brokenface's avatar

    brokenface

    The first hour or so of this is pretty forgettable - it's all about the 3 finale setpieces, which are just spectacular. CGI could never create anything as awesome as Busby Berkeley! 12 years 8 months ago
See all comments

Friends

Login to see which of your friends have seen this movie!

Activity

  1. ipg13 and jarebearthatsme checked this movie 4 days 9 hours ago
  2. AmirVzz checked this movie 6 days 7 hours ago
See more activity

In 5 official lists

  1. This movie ranks #24 in BFI's 100 Film Musicals
    BFI's 100 Film Musicals's icon

    BFI's 100 Film Musicals

    24
  2. This movie ranks #34 in A Personal Journey with Martin Scorsese
    A Personal Journey with Martin Scorsese's icon

    A Personal Journey with …

    34
  3. This movie ranks #73 in 1001 Movies You Must See Before You Die
    1001 Movies You Must See Before You Die's icon

    1001 Movies You Must See…

    73
  4. This movie ranks #82 in Library of Congress's National Film Registry
    Library of Congress's National Film Registry's icon

    Library of Congress's Na…

    82
  5. This movie ranks #348 in Time Out's 1000 Films to Change Your Life
    Time Out's 1000 Films to Change Your Life's icon

    Time Out's 1000 Films to…

    348
View all lists this movie is in