I went all the way back to 1933 for one of the most beloved and iconic musicals of the early days of cinema. Choreographed by the legendary Busby Berkeley, 42nd Street was a massive success.

According to IMDB, “Renowned Broadway producer/director Julian Marsh is hired to put together a new musical revue. It’s being financed by Abner Dillon to provide a starring vehicle for his girlfriend, songstress Dorothy Brock. Marsh, who is quite ill, is a difficult taskmaster who works long hours and continually pushes the cast to do better. When Brock breaks her ankle one of the chorus girls, Peggy Sawyer, gets her big chance to be the star. She also finds romance along the way.“

The final dance routines of the show were spectacular. I loved the title track, but most of the remainder of the songs were fine, at best.

I have to say that this was fine, but it did feel kind of old. That is not a fair criticism, I know. Still, I can’t get past the fact that it is a musical that does feel like it was made early in the film world.

I am glad that I watched it. It clearly was a classic of its time. And the dance routines at the end were sensational.