Woodmere presents the classic musical “Gold Diggers of 1933,” featuring unforgettable musical numbers by Busby Berkeley, on May 19.
“Gold Diggers” began as a 1919 Broadway play, followed by a silent film adaptation in 1923 and a sound version, “Gold Diggers of Broadway,” which became a major success in 1929. “Gold Diggers of 1933” revisits and reworks that earlier film.
Sound film was still new in 1929, and studios rushed to produce musicals to capitalize on the technology. But by mid-1930, audiences had grown weary of the genre, and most studios abandoned it. For several years, musicals were largely out of favor. That changed in 1933, when Warner Bros. released “42nd Street,” featuring dazzling and surreal musical sequences by Berkeley. The film was a hit, and Berkeley quickly followed it with “Gold Diggers of 1933” and “Footlight Parade” later that same year.
In “Gold Diggers,” producer Barney Hopkins (Ned Sparks) hopes to stage a musical about the Depression but lacks the funds. His previous production was shut down by creditors, and he turns to three chorus girls — Carol (Joan Blondell), Polly (Ruby Keeler) and Trixie (Aline MacMahon) — to help solve the problem. While visiting their apartment, Hopkins discovers Polly’s boyfriend Brad (Dick Powell), a talented singer and songwriter. Brad offers to finance the show.
Complications arise when Brad refuses to appear onstage and is evasive about his background, leading the women to suspect he may be hiding something more sinister. In fact, Brad comes from a wealthy family and wants to keep his theatrical ambitions a secret. When he is forced to perform at the last minute, word reaches his brother, J. Lawrence Bradford (Warren William), and the family lawyer, Faneuil Peabody (Guy Kibbee).
Bradford and Peabody believe all showgirls are vulgar “gold diggers” and attempt to sever Brad’s ties to them. The women quickly turn the tables, playfully embodying the stereotypes imposed upon them. Trixie charms Peabody, while Carol takes on Bradford. As in any good comedy, the misunderstandings and schemes ultimately resolve themselves.
“Gold Diggers of 1933” stands as a prime example of Warner Bros. filmmaking at its height. The studio’s roster of contract players — many of whom appeared together across numerous films — creates a lively ensemble. Keeler and Powell form the studio’s quintessential romantic pair, while Blondell, already an established performer, brings sharp comedic timing. Sparks and Kibbee round out the cast with their familiar presence.
Particularly notable are Warren William and Aline MacMahon, two versatile, theater-trained actors who rose to prominence in the early 1930s. MacMahon brings a distinctive blend of humor and world-weariness to her roles, while William, often cast as a scheming villain, here shows a lighter, more nuanced side. Their performances add depth and texture to the film.
While the story and performances are engaging, it is Berkeley’s musical numbers that make the film unforgettable. The film opens with Ginger Rogers singing “We’re in the Money,” and features several elaborate sequences, including the dreamlike “Shadow Waltz,” the playful “Pettin’ in the Park” and the powerful finale, “Remember My Forgotten Man.” Written in the wake of the Bonus Army march on Washington in 1932, the finale reflects the struggles faced by veterans during the Depression. Its emotional weight led filmmakers to move it to the end of the film, where it serves as a striking conclusion.
Although Berkeley would continue to refine his style in later films such as “Footlight Parade,” “Gold Diggers of 1933” remains a defining work of the genre and a lasting classic.
“Gold Diggers of 1933” will be screened on Tuesday, May 19, at Woodmere, 9201 Germantown Ave., Chestnut Hill. Light refreshments will be served prior to the screening, part of the Chestnut Hill Film Group’s Tuesday Night at the Movies series. Admission is free, but donations at the door are greatly appreciated. For more information, contact 215-247-0476 or woodmereartmuseum.org, or visit Chestnut Hill Film Group on social media.
