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Warren William, Joan Blondell, Aline MacMahon, Ruby Keeler, Dick Powell ... see more see more... , Guy Kibbee , Ned Sparks , Ginger Rogers , Clarence Nordstrom , Robert Agnew , Tammany Young , Sterling Holloway , Ferdinand Gottschalk , Monica Bannister , Bonnie Bannon , Joan Barclay , Billy Barty , Hobart Cavanaugh , Dorothy Coonan Wellman , Jay Eaton , William "Wild Bill" Elliott , Eddie Foster , Sam Godfrey , Muriel Gordon , Theresa Harris , Grace Hayle , Anne Hovey , Amo Ingraham , Alice Jans , Fred Kelsey , Lorena Layson , Wilbur Mack , Etta Moten , Fred 'Snowflake' Toones , Billy West , Dorothy White , Renee Whitney , Charles C. Wilson , Pat Wing , Busby Berkeley , Charles Lane , Wallace MacDonald , Frank Mills , Dennis O'Keefe , Loretta Andrews , Lynn Browning , Maxine Cantway , June Glory , Jayne Shadduck

The second talkie version of the Avery Hopwood's theatrical war-horse The Golddiggers of Broadway, Gold Diggers of 1933 was the second of three back-to-back 1933 Warner Bros. musicals benefiting from ... read more read more...the genius of Busby Berkeley. The basic plot is retained from the Hopwood play: Showgirls Joan Blondell, Ruby Keeler and Aline McMahon attempt to find financial backing for the new show planned by producer Ned Sparks. Songwriter Dick Powell, an incognito man of wealth, offers to put up the money, a fact that brings down the wrath of his older brother Warren William, who despises show folk. Attempting to buy off the three girls, William is placed in a compromising position by the crafty Blondell and is compelled to bankroll the musical himself. The oddest aspect of Gold Diggers of 1933 is the fact that the mood of the songs is wildly at variance with the plot. The film begins with dozens of chorus girls (led by Ginger Rogers) happily chirping "We're In the Money", a rehearsal number interrupted when the finance men burst in to claim the sets and props from the impoverished troupe. At the end, when everyone is genuinely in the money, the troupe stages a downbeat "Brother Can You Spare A Dime"-style production number, "Remember My Forgotten Man"--and it is on this doleful indictment of the Depression that the film fades out! Other Berkeley-staged musical highlights include "Pettin' in the Park" (yes, that salacious little baby really is Billy Barty) and the neon-dominated "Shadow Waltz", all written by the prolific Harry Warren and Al Dubin. As spectacular as Gold Diggers of 1933 was, it would be topped by the last of Berkeley's 1933 trilogy, Footlight Parade. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

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Unrated, 1 hr. 36 min.

Directed by: Mervyn LeRoy

Release Date: May 27, 1933

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DVD Release Date: March 21, 2006

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Flixster Reviews (129)

  • FrizzDrop
    April 8, 2012
    FrizzDrop
    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 o... read morebvious 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.
  • stevenecarrier
    August 30, 2011
    stevenecarrier
    "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 ... read moreenduring classic.
  • kenstachnik
    November 28, 2010
    kenstachnik
    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.
  • ajv2688
    October 24, 2010
    ajv2688
    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 ... read moreare terrific too. I highly recommend this movie.
  • bottcorecords1
    May 21, 2010
    bottcorecords1
    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 Barne... read morey 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.
  • jennifxu
    November 15, 2008
    jennifxu
    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 spe... read morectacle 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.
  • jjnxn
    May 28, 2008
    jjnxn
    From Ginger singing in pig latin to "My Forgotten Man" definitely a one of a kind experience.
  • kenscheck
    September 21, 2011
    kenscheck
    This Golden of Age of Hollywood musical is fairly average, with plenty of plot holes and mediocre songs...but some of the songs are actually pretty good, with "We're in the Money" being quite the classic. The plot is weak, but some of the characters and jokes make it worth it. ... read moreDon't expect much.
  • somebody421
    November 14, 2009
    somebody421
    From Ginger Rogers singing in Pig Latin, to the "Pettin' in the Park" musical number (with a creepy baby!), to the all around mesmerizing Busby Berkley choreography, what's not to love?
  • jam233
    June 24, 2009
    jam233
    Outstanding classic musical, amazing choreography and a wonderful cast. Imaginative, great songs and musical numbers. Highly entertaining and a joy from start to finish.

View All Gold Diggers of 1933 Reviews

Critic Reviews

Emanuel Levy
March 18, 2012
Emanuel Levy, EmanuelLevy.Com

A seminal, vastly entertaining musical of the early Depression era and a showcase of the eccentric genius of Busby Berkeley in highlights like "We're in the Money." Full Review

Bob Bloom
March 17, 2006
Bob Bloom, Journal and Courier (Lafayette, IN)

Busby Berkeley's imaginatively-staged numbers steal the show; fun to watch, even today.

Dennis Schwartz
December 2, 2005
Dennis Schwartz, Ozus' World Movie Reviews

Deliciously maddening extravaganza Depression-era Broadway musical. Full Review

Steve Crum
October 30, 2004
Steve Crum, Kansas City Kansan

We're still in the money watching this Depression era classic.

Ken Hanke
December 11, 2002
Ken Hanke, Mountain Xpress (Asheville, NC)

A fabulously fast-paced cynical comedy in which the straight parts of the movie are -- for a change -- nearly the equal in quality to the musical numbers. Full Review

Mordaunt Hall
January 28, 2006
Mordaunt Hall, New York Times

Click to read the article Full Review

Matt Bailey
November 24, 2004
Matt Bailey, Not Coming to a Theater Near You

No review available.

Nell Minow
November 12, 2004
Nell Minow, Movie Mom at Yahoo! Movies

No review available.

January 1, 2000
TV Guide's Movie Guide

Click to read the article Full Review

June 24, 2006
Time Out

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