TheLittleSongbird The story is silly and is thin to the extent that you're searching for whether there is one, and for this viewer Gold Diggers of 1933 was the better film. Nonetheless, Gold Diggers of 1935 is still great, even when set in a Depression setting it's still a lot of fun. It is visually wonderful, cleverly photographed and with sumptuous costumes and sets. The songs are melodious and catchy as well as beautiful, The Words Are In My Heart and particularly Lullaby of Broadway were the two standouts. The dialogue is snappy and genuinely funny, the film is warm-hearted and charming all the way through and Berkeley in one of his earliest directing efforts does a fine job directing. The performances serve the film nicely, Dick Powell- in excellent voice- and the astonishingly beautiful Gloria Stuart are good leads(and no Ruby Keeler is not missed), but Gold Diggers of 1935 was one case where the supporting cast were more colourful. Alice Brady is an absolute riot, while Glenda Farrell and Hugh Herbert bring to the table some great wisecracks. But you cannot not mention Bekeley's choreography, it's always a pleasure to watch but here in Gold Diggers of 1935 it's amazing. Lullaby of Broadway contains some of his absolute best choreography(on par with the finale of Footlight Parade and perhaps even better) and is also a number that tells a story, a depressing but very moving one. All in all, a great film and one where Busby Berkeley will not be disappointed, if anything it'd be hard not to be enthralled. 9/10 Bethany Cox

earlytalkie Busby Berkeley had a long list of credits choreographing many Hollywood films beginning in 1930 with Whoopee! with Eddie Cantor for Samuel Goldwyn. He made several more pictures during this early phase in his carrer with Goldwyn, MGM and Universal before Warner Brothers engaged him for 42nd Street (1933) which the Warners saw as a re-birth of the musical after a period of apathy stemming from the glut of musicals from the latter part of 1930. 42nd Street was a huge success putting much-needed money in the corporate coffers. This was followed in quick succession by Gold Diggers of 1933, Footlight Parade, Dames, Wonder Bar, In Caliente and the picture I am discussing here, Gold Diggers of 1935. This film had a somewhat lighter plot than some of the earlier films and it substitutes Gloria Stuart for Ruby Keeler. Ms. Stuart was indeed not a musical comedy honey, but her acting is miles above Ms. Keeler's, and she is gorgeous to look at. She sings but one musical phrase in the entire 95-minute film, and I suspect even that little snippett is dubbed. It's okay though, as we are treated to that somewhat lighter-than-air plot about hijinks at a resort hotel, a few beautiful tunes by Harry Warren and Al Dubin, and some of Berkeley's best choreography, particularly in the two final numbers that wrap up the picture. "The Words Are In My Heart" is a particularly beautiful song illustrated by an amazing display of 56 moving pianos, assisted by some beautiful chorines and some men hidden underneath moving said pianos to a plethora of astonishing patterns and positions. "The Lullaby of Broadway" has been called by many Berkeley's greatest single number, and indeed, it is a mind-boggling affair of some of the best precision dancing you will ever see. To those who say Berkeley merely mechanized chorus girls in series of fast-moving tableaux, just watch these boys and girls go through Berkeley's rigorous paces. The print as shown on the Warners DVD is in excellent shape considering the film's age, and there are many delectable special features included. Warners generally give their features the "A" treatment and for those wishing a night at the movies, depression-era style, look no further than Gold Diggers of 1935.

lewis-51 I have to disagree with many of the posters here. I had seen Golddiggers of 1933 a month or so earlier and was enthused to see this one. I am disappointed. I know the story is not the main point of a musical, but still, the story here is silly. The one in 1933 is far more interesting. Worse, there are only two decent Busby Berkeley numbers here, The Words Are In My Heart and Lullaby of Broadway. The first has interesting white pianos, but the tune itself is only fair. The second is good, yes, but the many more in 1933 are far superior. Also, 1933 has a stunning Joan Blondell, a gorgeous Ruby Keeler, and a fascinating Ginger Rogers. Sorry Titanic fans, but Gloria Stuart was a big letdown here. The male secondary characters in 1933 were much better than those here, who just ham it up. This movie has nothing like the fantastic concluding number in 1933.Oh well, I guess I'll try "Dames" next.-henry

itsmits Three production numbers with the finale being the apotheosis of group tap dancing. The 'Lullaby of Broadway' production number will probably never be duplicated. If one considers the time when this musical was produced, the effect of the Winifred Shaw special(Dick Powell actually finishes off the song)is a wonderful example of encapsulating the fast paced life of the Broadway of the 30's. "I'm Going Shopping With You" is a catchy tune but not of classic standards. Still the production of this number is entertaining."The Words Are In My Heart" does not start out well when first introduced by Dick Powell while sitting in the parked speedboat. Notice the strain on his voice in the line '. . .the moon above makes the mu-sic'. Very strident. He improves on this when he gets an opportunity to sing it again. '. . mu-sic' is much less strained. The production of this number with the pianos, however, is extremely enjoyable. The pianos seem to glide effortlessly across the floor and manage to mesh perfectly. Remember, this was done before computers and much hydraulic equipment. So how was this accomplished? If one looks closely under the pianos nearest the screen, unmistakably you will see a pair of black trousered legs propelling the outline of each piano as it glides into place. Imagine the hours of preparation and drill it took to perform this feat to produce the effect seen on the screen. That's how it was in the Depression 30's. This writer must confess that the visibility of the trousers was not noticeable until pointed out on a program discussing the film within the last couple of years. It certainly was not noticeable to the 12-year old who was fortunate enough to view this classic when it first appeared in the middle of the Depression 30's. These musicals helped to make the Depression bearable.