Dames (1934)

71% of users liked it
(431 ratings)

As the title song says, you go to those shows to see those beautiful dames--and there's dames aplenty in this 1934 Busby Berkeley extravaganza. The wisp of a plot is motivated by one Ezra Ounce (Hugh Herbert), a silly millionaire who spearheads a national anti-fun movement. Ounce's distant cousin… More As the title song says, you go to those shows to see those beautiful dames--and there's dames aplenty in this 1934 Busby Berkeley extravaganza. The wisp of a plot is motivated by one Ezra Ounce (Hugh Herbert), a silly millionaire who spearheads a national anti-fun movement. Ounce's distant cousin Dick Powell is a producer of musical comedies. Ounce's partner is Guy Kibbee, whose daughter is Ruby Keeler. Kibbee is also the "sugar daddy" of Joan Blondell, Powell's friend and co-worker. Fill in the rest of the blanks yourself. If the plot doesn't interest you (and there's no reason why it should), sit back and enjoy the humongous production numbers based on the Warren/Dubin songs "I Only Have Eyes for You", "The Girl on the Ironing Board", and of course the title number. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

Rating, Runtime: Unrated, 1 hr. 35 min.
Directed By: Ray Enright, Arthur Aylesworth
Genres: Musical & Performing Arts, Romance

In Theaters: Jan 1, 1934 Wide
On DVD: Mar 21, 2006

Critic Reviews

Dennis Schwartz, Ozus' World Movie Reviews
Spectacular black-and-white eye-catching numbers.
Michael W. Phillips, Jr., Goatdog's Movies
The most Berkeleyesque of all [his films], for all the good and bad that entails.

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Featured Audience Ratings

Ken S

While it starts off a little slow (what do you want it's 1934), it finishes with a delightfully giddy third act. Busby Berkley is as insane and amazing as you've heard (and if you haven't heard, you have now). Extra kudos for the dancing underpants scene and the… More
While it starts off a little slow (what do you want it's 1934), it finishes with a delightfully giddy third act. Busby Berkley is as insane and amazing as you've heard (and if you haven't heard, you have now). Extra kudos for the dancing underpants scene and the titular final song.
Anthony V

Great early musical. The "I Only Have Eyes For You" number is really something.

Cast

            Joan Blondell as Mabel Anderson

            Dick Powell as Jimmy Higgens

            Ruby Keeler as Barbara Hemingway

            Zasu Pitts as Mathilda Hemingway

            Guy Kibbee as Horace P. Hemingway

            Hugh Herbert as Ezra Ounce

            Arthur Vinton as Bulger

            Sammy Fain as Buttercup Baumer

            Phil Regan as Johnny Harris

            Arthur Ayleswofth as Conductor

            Leila Bennett as Laura the Maid

            Berton Churchill as H. Ellsworthy Todd

            Johnny Arthur as Billings the Secretary

            Robert H. Barrat
            
            Eddy Chandler as Guard

            Frank Darien as Druggist

            Lester Dorr as Elevator Starter

            Harry Holman as Spanish War Veteran

            Eddie Kane as Harry the Stage Manager

            Phil Tead as Reporter

            Fred 'Snowflake' Toones as Porter

            Busby Berkeley
            
            Patricia Harper as Chorus Girl

            Charles Williams as Dance Director

            Diane Douglas as Chorus Girl

            Arthur Aylesworth
            
See full cast