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42nd Street

Play trailer Poster for 42nd Street Released Mar 9, 1933 1h 29m Musical Comedy Play Trailer Watchlist
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92% Tomatometer 26 Reviews 75% Popcornmeter 5,000+ Ratings
When revered Broadway director Julian Marsh (Warner Baxter) falls on hard times with both his health and his finances, he helms an ambitious musical as a final production before his retirement. His lead actress, Dorothy Brock (Bebe Daniels), is torn between two loves--the show's wealthy backer, Abner Dillon (Guy Kibbee), and the earnest but penniless actor Pat Denning (George Brent) --while aspiring young performer Peggy Sawyer (Ruby Keeler) waits in the wings, hoping for her big break.
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42nd Street

42nd Street

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Critics Consensus

Bubsy Berkeley does it again in 42nd Street, a brilliant depression-era romp with stellar musical numbers and impeccable choreography.

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Critics Reviews

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Richard Brody The New Yorker Modern musicals start here, and Busby Berkeley's genius bursts into full flower. Apr 14, 2020 Full Review Dave Kehr Chicago Reader This 1933 film is the best known of the Warner Brothers Depression-era musicals, though it doesn't compare in dash and extravagance to later entries in the cycle. Oct 16, 2007 Full Review Mordaunt Hall New York Times The liveliest and one of the most tuneful screen musical comedies that has come out of Hollywood. Rated: 4.5/5 Aug 8, 2006 Full Review Mike Massie Gone With The Twins The title tune remains memorable (as does the parting shot), but this pioneering product-of-its-time no longer possesses much filmic power. Rated: 3/10 Mar 17, 2025 Full Review Tony Sloman Radio Times A masterpiece, not merely for its racy dialogue and lavish costumes, or for its now-classic "newcomer goes on instead of indisposed star" plot, but also for affording kaleidoscope choreographer Busby Berkeley a chance to show off in such superb numbers. Rated: 5/5 Jul 9, 2024 Full Review Pare Lorentz Vanity Fair Oddly enough, in 42nd Street, Warner Baxter is a rather convincing stage director, Bebe Daniels has a surprisingly good voice and a fair sense of comedy, and the dancing and song routines are introduced with some imagination. Jun 5, 2019 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Teddy B The performances, writing, and musical numbers shine. Although, the musical numbers are only utilised near the end, which could be a disappointment for fans of Busby Berkeley's impeccable choreography. Rated 4 out of 5 stars 04/01/24 Full Review Autumn M 42nd is a delightful early musical from Busby. The dialogue is witty and the choreography was simply amazing. 42nd street is a musical about putting on a musical, but somehow it felt more refreshing than other show business musicals. Recommended Rated 4 out of 5 stars 05/07/23 Full Review Joshua H Due to it being an old not everything lands as it originally did and it dosen't feel like a musical till near the end but there are some fun moments. Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars 03/10/23 Full Review CodyZamboni Z Entertaining drama comedy musical, l liked most the backstage details of putting on a show, And I enjoyed the impressive big show numbers at the end Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 08/03/24 Full Review Ethan S Great dance numbers string together a fairly average showbiz plot, though I was a bit surprised by the ambiguousness of the ending. Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 05/02/22 Full Review deke p 1933 !! CLASSIC! Saw on TV 12.29.2021 Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars 03/30/23 Full Review Read all reviews
42nd Street

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Cast & Crew

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Lloyd Bacon

Director

Ruby Keeler

Peggy Sawyer

Warner Baxter

Julian Marsh

Bebe Daniels

Dorothy Brock

George Brent

Pat Denning

Dick Powell

Billy Lawler

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42nd Street

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Movie Info

Synopsis When revered Broadway director Julian Marsh (Warner Baxter) falls on hard times with both his health and his finances, he helms an ambitious musical as a final production before his retirement. His lead actress, Dorothy Brock (Bebe Daniels), is torn between two loves--the show's wealthy backer, Abner Dillon (Guy Kibbee), and the earnest but penniless actor Pat Denning (George Brent) --while aspiring young performer Peggy Sawyer (Ruby Keeler) waits in the wings, hoping for her big break.
Director
Lloyd Bacon
Producer
Darryl F Zanuck
Screenwriter
Bradford Ropes, Rian James, James Seymour, Whitney Bolton
Distributor
Warner Bros. Pictures, Warner Home Vídeo, Warner Bros.
Production Co
Warner Brothers
Genre
Musical, Comedy
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Mar 9, 1933, Wide
Release Date (Streaming)
Oct 18, 2010
Runtime
1h 29m
Sound Mix
Mono
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