When the leading lady of a Broadway musical breaks her ankle, she is replaced by a young unknown actress, who becomes the star of the show.When the leading lady of a Broadway musical breaks her ankle, she is replaced by a young unknown actress, who becomes the star of the show.When the leading lady of a Broadway musical breaks her ankle, she is replaced by a young unknown actress, who becomes the star of the show.
- Nominated for 2 Oscars
- 2 wins & 2 nominations total
- Jerry
- (uncredited)
- Chorus Girl
- (uncredited)
- Chorus Girl
- (uncredited)
- Chorus Girl
- (uncredited)
- Chorus Girl
- (uncredited)
Storyline
Did you know
- TriviaThe film was so financially successful it saved Warner Brothers from bankruptcy.
- GoofsThe opening credits say "COPYRIGHT MCMXXXIII [1933]," but the closing credits say "COPYRIGHT MCMXXXII [1932]".
- Quotes
Julian Marsh: Sawyer, you listen to me, and you listen hard. Two hundred people, two hundred jobs, two hundred thousand dollars, five weeks of grind and blood and sweat depend upon you. It's the lives of all these people who've worked with you. You've got to go on, and you've got to give and give and give. They've got to like you. Got to. Do you understand? You can't fall down. You can't because your future's in it, my future and everything all of us have is staked on you. All right, now I'm through, but you keep your feet on the ground and your head on those shoulders of yours and go out, and Sawyer, you're going out a youngster but you've got to come back a star!
- Alternate versionsA digitally restored and colorized version was recently released.
- ConnectionsEdited into Musical Memories (1946)
- Soundtracks42nd Street
(1932) (uncredited)
Lyrics by Al Dubin
Music by Harry Warren
Played during the opening credits and often in the score
Sung and Danced by Ruby Keeler
Sung by Dick Powell and chorus girls
In her screen debut, it's impossible not to like Ruby Keeler, the stereotypical girl hoofer next door. Keeler had amazing energy -- after retirement and many years raising her family, she returned to Broadway in "No No Nanette". How many 80 year olds do you know who could still tap against the footlights? (As for comparisons between Keeler and wisecracker Ginger Rogers, that's about as silly as comparing Fred Astaire to Gene Kelly. Keeler, like Kelly, had a raw, athletic talent; Astaire, on the other hand, was more of a suave dancer, while Rogers exuded a sexy, spirited appeal.)
The cast is terrific. Warner Baxter seems ready to crack up any second; former silent star Bebe Daniels is classy, likable and vulnerable even in her bitchiest moments. One of her best scenes is during a drunken cast party the night before the musical opens in Philly, when she kicks and screams with abandon, and yet, you can't blame the dame. "When you're in a lady's room, act like one!"
Una Merkel, with Rogers, is hilarious, batting her eyes all over the place.
There's some masculine eye candy, too, when Keeler walks in on Dick"Young & Healthy" Powell in his underwear.
He can hold a great tune, seranading Berkeley's favorite gal, Toby Wing. Wing is so luminous in her spotlight number, it's hard to believe she never broke it wide open, like other former chorus gals Paulette Godard, Betty Grable and Lucille Ball.
George Brent, the blandest of Warners' leading men, is hopelessly miscast as Daniels' old vaudeville companion, but he plays well against Ruby Keeler and Daniels. A sharp little scene with Keeler's Irish landlady underscores the desperate times. Keeler's living on a prayer, living in a small room with a suitcase and not much more.
A great flick for a late evening, or Sunday afternoon.
- NoirDamedotcom
- Jan 23, 2003
- How long is 42nd Street?Powered by Alexa
Details
- Release date
- Country of origin
- Language
- Also known as
- Forty-Second Street
- Filming locations
- Production company
- See more company credits at IMDbPro
Box office
- Budget
- $439,000 (estimated)
- Gross worldwide
- $1,600
- Runtime1 hour 29 minutes
- Color
- Sound mix
- Aspect ratio
- 1.37 : 1