Gold Diggers of 1933 (1933)

Featured Audience Ratings

• Spencer S

  
  Another beautiful film from the ingenious Busby Berkely, Gold Diggers is just as much about the social history of the United States during the Great Depression than it is a dazzling musical. Movies during this era weren't apt to prod a finger at the government, or point out the… More
  Another beautiful film from the ingenious Busby Berkely, Gold Diggers is just as much about the social history of the United States during the Great Depression than it is a dazzling musical. Movies during this era weren't apt to prod a finger at the government, or point out the obvious calamities of the financial crash of 1929. I point specifically to the Astaire/Rogers films, which always had glitz and glamour, looking at the playboy angle of Astaire and the dilettante showgirl that was Rogers. What is great about Gold Diggers is that not only does it address the times, it also shows grandeur towards the rich and romanticizes love, just as the movie musical is supposed to. Because of its eccentricities and allowance to be different, it is much easier to distinguish it from the thousands of other movies of that time period which all portrayed the wealthy and luscious as the happy ones. Not only was it certainly different yet gleeful, it is serious in its intent in showing the poor and downtrodden of the country, especially in the last sequence entitled "Forgotten Man." That number shows the veterans of America who are now homeless and tarnished, one of the most moving song and dance numbers in a musical ever. Busby reuses past actresses Ruby Keeler and Ginger Rogers from his musical of that same year, 42nd Street. Both films had spectacular set design, visual effects, and lovely musical numbers. Though the music in this film was very intriguing and sticks in the brain, two of the three large scale musical numbers were confusing and didn't make sense in the context of the theater. There was still some great costume changes and background, but it was really, very, confusing. Through it all it's got a timeless sense of humor, that has survived throughout, as many good older films have. It's also good to see because it's a Pre-Code film, which deals with sexuality, pre-marital sex, and the times it was set in. Powerful in so many respects, it's one of the best examples of classic cinema.

• Steven C

  
  "Gold-Diggers of 1933" is a sassy, charming Depression era musical. With feisty and funny performances from it's female cast and some dazzling set pieces (both comedic and staged musical) that are topped off with some intriguing social and historical commentary help… More
  "Gold-Diggers of 1933" is a sassy, charming Depression era musical. With feisty and funny performances from it's female cast and some dazzling set pieces (both comedic and staged musical) that are topped off with some intriguing social and historical commentary help make this an enduring classic.

• Ken S

  
  I wasn't as crazy about Gold Diggers 33' as I was about Dames, but it's still a lot of fun. Berkley still feels like he's really coming into his own on this.

• AJ V

  
  A classic movie, if you love old musicals and comedies, this is a must see. The movie has a lot of great stars, and they are really funny in this movie together. This one is a lot better than the other gold digger movies. I loved this movie, it was a lot of fun, and the songs are… More
  A classic movie, if you love old musicals and comedies, this is a must see. The movie has a lot of great stars, and they are really funny in this movie together. This one is a lot better than the other gold digger movies. I loved this movie, it was a lot of fun, and the songs are terrific too. I highly recommend this movie.

• First L

  
  Opening with the musical number "We're in the Money" (as sung by a young and sexy Ginger Rogers) and closing with the distinctly downtrodden downer "Forgotten Man", Gold Diggers of 1933 manages to encapsulate the era of Great Depression Hollywood all in one… More
  Opening with the musical number "We're in the Money" (as sung by a young and sexy Ginger Rogers) and closing with the distinctly downtrodden downer "Forgotten Man", Gold Diggers of 1933 manages to encapsulate the era of Great Depression Hollywood all in one swoop. Producer Barney Hopkins (Ned Sparks) has a great idea for a musical: a celebration of the Great Depression. There's just one problem, and it's a small problem really, all he needs is the money to put on the show, and someone to write it and star in it. Of course, living next door to his troupe of showgirls is the most amazing song-writer (Dick Powell) who is also a great singer and a millionaire in disguise, and he solves all the above problems with a snap of his fingers. Of course, this exposes the millionaire song-writer to the world, and his snobby, snootish brother is subsequently able to track him down. He discovers he's engaged to be married to one of the show girls, and, suspecting her of being a gold digger, he goes to confront her and "buy out" her brother's obligation to marry her. When he confronts the wrong show girl, they decide to teach him a lesson. Gold Diggers of 1933 is a lot of fun, and features some great musical numbers. The aforementioned Ginger Rogers plays a character named Fay Fortune, and of course is referred to often as "Miss Fortune", tee hee. One of the main numbers in the film, "Pettin' in the Park" seemed so corny at first, but as the production progressed, it grew on me considerably. Plus, like all the songs here, it's quite catchy and memorable. There's a lot that's corny in this film, but there's just as much that's genuine. Either way, it's a great time capsule-piece of entertainment.

• Jennifer X

  
  Ruby Keeler is an admittedly gorgeous but boring woman, so I'm glad she isn't given a whole lot to do except moon over the guy and then retreat into the background. But the other three women are so colorful and over-the-top, I can't resist this musical. Another Busby… More
  Ruby Keeler is an admittedly gorgeous but boring woman, so I'm glad she isn't given a whole lot to do except moon over the guy and then retreat into the background. But the other three women are so colorful and over-the-top, I can't resist this musical. Another Busby Berkeley spectacle with themes for each musical number. Pettin' in the Park was so, so naughty and We're in the Money is the definitely the cutest little clock song EVER. I'm glad Ginger Rogers got her time to shine because she wasn't used nearly enough in 42nd Street. I love the liberal stereotypical showgirlesque atittudes of all of them and the unrestrained dialogue. If these guys were capable of this this early in the cinema game, think of what fantastic movies we could have had had the Hays code NOT been in place! Such sensuality wowowow.

• jay n

  
  From Ginger singing in pig latin to "My Forgotten Man" definitely a one of a kind experience.

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