This film was parodied very well in the film MOVIE, MOVIE as George C. Scott played the Warner Baxter role with gusto. Actually, after seeing this film, try to get a copy of Scott's film--they go great together. The film ALSO is remarkably similar to many other films such as FOOTLIGHT PARADE and DANCING LADY--all three which are from 1933. All are a backstage dramatization of the trials and romance involved in putting on a Broadway show. And, all are highly overdone and silly if you think too much--so try not to and just sit back and enjoy. The things that make this one stand out so much is Baxter's performance and the film's conclusion--both are top-rate. And, when it comes to the silly and over-the-top show-stopping tunes and dance numbers, just turn off your brain and enjoy. Yeah, the Busby Berkely-style routines ARE quite odd and silly by today's standards but fun nonetheless--and simply are amazing to see.

UPDATE: Tonight I watched "All That Jazz" and was surprised that in many ways, it's a lot like "42nd Street"--complete with a Broadway producer who has a heart attack because he pushed himself too hard for the sake of the show!

I say this as a huge fan of movie musicals. I have seen many wonderful movie musicals, such as West Side Story, My Fair Lady and Singin' in the Rain, and 42nd Street is no exception. As I said in my summary, 42nd Street is a milestone in this great genre and one of the best there is in my opinion. The costumes and sets are suitably sumptuous, and the cinematography is skillful and doesn't date the film one. 42nd Street also contains one of the catchiest scores and songs of any movie musical(42nd Street is just one of them),and the choreography is suitably dazzling and intricate. The dialogue sparkles especially the asides, the film is beautifully directed and the story is well paced never fails to maintain interest. The characters are engaging and this is one of those times where I didn't have a problem with the clichés that I often hear people talk about talking about 42nd Street as within the film and what it was about they actually worked. The acting is fine, Warner Baxter, Bebe Daniels and George Brent are terrific, and Una Merkel and Ginger Rogers sensational. I personally thought Ruby Keeler was great with what she required to have, she isn't the best singer, actor and dancer in the world, yet I don't think there was ever a point in the film where she was trying to be. Besides she is adorable, particularly her smile. All in all, one of the best movie musicals to this day. 10/10 Bethany Cox

In reviewing one of the film versions of The Virginian I said that it was the prototype for all the westerns that were done, where all the clichés started. The same can certainly be said for 42nd Street, THE original backstage musical.

It's also a film that couldn't be made but right in the middle of the Hoover Depression. Today's audiences can certainly appreciate the magic in the Busby Berkeley musical numbers, but the economics of the situation can hardly be grasped. Many shows on Broadway opened and closed fast after the Stock Market crash of 1929 because no one could afford the price of a ticket. A whole lot of the wealthiest producer/ directors on Broadway from Florenz Ziegfeld on down lost plenty of money in that era.

Warner Baxter's producer was such a man. He's lost his shirt in the market and he has to come up with a smash hit for his own economic survival. The cast and crew he assembles to put on the show Pretty Lady are all fighting for their survival. There are plenty of talented people out of work so none of them better mess up.

Guy Kibbee is the sugar daddy and of course his price for financing the show is some kanoodling with star Bebe Daniels. Probably at that point in history his money gives him more power over everyone than would even normally be the case. You really hate Kibbee in this, not because he's mean or vicious, but why should such an obvious fool and oaf control the destiny of so many.

Bebe of course has her problems, a man who taught her the business, but who she left behind in vaudeville while she hit the big time on Broadway. We never do see George Brent do any songs or snappy vaudeville patter, but that's all right because he's believable as the happy go lucky hoofer who might have been big time if he had the breaks.

And of course the youngsters, Dick Powell and Ruby Keeler, playing in their first film together. Powell has one big number, Young and Healthy, but it's on Keeler that the plot really turns.

I suppose the real star of this film is Busby Berkeley who's vision of kaleidoscopic chorus girls came into real fruition here. The Depression story is dated, but Berkeley's musical numbers, Young and Healthy, Shuffle Off to Buffalo, and 42nd Street are eternal. That and all the clichés about putting on a Broadway show that became standard in films for generations.

Baxter's driven producer/director, Daniels' egotistic star, Brent's vaudeville hoofer, Kibbee's moronic businessman backer, and eager hopefuls Powell and Keeler became clichéd characters in a dozen films any movie fan could name.

But it all started here folks, it all started with 42nd Street.