Really Surprised!

A Disappointing Continuation

Simple and well acted, it has tension enough to knot the stomach.

The plot isn't so bad, but the pace of storytelling is too slow which makes people bored. Certain moments are so obvious and unnecessary for the main plot. I would've fast-forwarded those moments if it was an online streaming. The ending looks like implying a sequel, not sure if this movie will get one

I first found out about this movie because it was listed in the book 1001 Movies You Must See Before You Die, then I saw it featured as part of Disney's Hollywood Studios attraction The Great Movie Ride, I loomed forward to it, directed by Lloyd Bacon (42nd Street). Basically it is the time where Hollywood movies have developed sound, the "talkies" have audiences flooding into theatres, causing many stage productions to go out of business. Chester Kent (James Cagney) is a Broadway musical producer, he comes up with the idea to produce musical numbers called "prologues," short live stage productions presented in movie theatres before the main feature is shown. Kent faces pressure from his business partners to create large marketable numbers, and his job is made harder by a rival stealing his ideas, probably with assistance from someone inside his company. Kent is so overwhelmed with work that he doesn't realise Nan Prescott (Joan Blondell), his secretary, has fallen in love with him, and is doing her best to protect both him and his interests. Kent's business partner announces that a big deal and contract with the Apolinaris theatre circuit depends on him impressing Mr. Apolinaris (Paul Porcasi) with three spectacular prologues, presented on the same night, one after another at three different theatres. Kent locks himself, his staff and the performers in the theatre to continuously choreograph and rehearse the three production numbers, and to prevent espionage leaks. Kent then stages "Honeymoon Hotel", "By a Waterfall", featuring the famous 'Human Waterfall', and "Shanghai Lil", featuring Kent and Bea Thorn (Ruby Keeler) dancing together. In the end, after the last prologue, Apolinaris agrees to a deal, and Kent and Nan embrace with a kiss. Also starring Dick Powell as Scott "Scotty" Blair, Frank McHugh as Francis, Guy Kibbee as Silas "Si" Gould and Arthur Hohl as Al Frazer. Cagney is well cast as the gregarious producer using his theatrical experience to create something to wow audiences before the main movie feature, prologues may be a long forgotten tradition, but you can see from the story why they were very entertaining at the time. Choreographer Busby Berkeley was at his peak, this movie really showcases his talent for spectacular extravaganzas, the highlight is definitely the mesmerising "By the Waterfall" sequence, featuring the famous human waterfall and a water ballet of 100 chorus girls, this alone is the real treat, but all together it is classic musical. Very good!

Why it's dumb: First off, for the first half of this musical there are really no production numbers. Second, the sets for the musical numbers in the second half could not have been built on a movie theater stage, and not overnight...which is what the plot was about. Third, both in terms of singing and dancing (at least in this film), Ruby Keeler could do neither.And yet, it works! And here's why it works: First, James Cagney in a refreshing non-gangster role. Second, Joan Blondell in a very appealing role as secretary/love interest. Third, Frank McHugh in what seemed at first to be poor casting turns in a very entertaining performance as a dance director. Fourth, some nice humor by Hugh Herbert. But most importantly, a nice plot even with its holes; some musicals are high on musical numbers, this one is almost the reverse.

"Footlight Parade" (1933) is the best of the "Big 3" early '30's Warners' musicals."42nd St." (1932) and "Golddiggers of 1933" (1933) were both gems, both wonderful, but the smoothest and most complete, and most advanced of the "Big 3" early '30's Warners musicals is "Footlight Parade" (1933).James Cagney is the star of show, and his talent is immense.....he really was a true top level movie star, outshining all of his fellow movie stars in every show he ever acted in.This is a "pre-code" movie which pokes fun at the censorship organizations set up across the USA and the "on the set" cops who were supposed to keep the movies "moral" but didn't yet face the Joe Breen/ Will Hayes office, which didn't kick in until the following year (1934).The adult humor in the "Honeymoon Hotel" sequence (the first of the 3 big production numbers at the end of the movie) is wonderful, and never seen again, or done as well.The aquacade photography and production part of the "By A Waterfall" sequence (the second of the 3 big production numbers at the end of the movie) is lovely, tasteful, and breathtaking, and also never repeated as well again. The Esther Williams movies and other "water ballet" efforts were never matched by the one in "Footlight Parade" (1933).James Cagney's wonderful dancing and electric presence make the "Shanghai Lil" sequence (the 3rd of the 3 big production numbers at the end of the movie) wonderful, and seem to inspire Ruby Keeler, his lady dance partner in that sequence, to do the best dancing and acting she ever did in any movie (and her other movies were also wonderful).This movie is one of the precious examples of big time Hollywood movie musicals at their very, very best.The VHS cassette which contained "Footlight Parade" (1933) I got and screened also included a 1934 Warner Brothers color cartoon titled "Honeymoon Hotel," the same song seen and heard in the "Footlight Parade" (1933).The cartoon is very well done, set in "Bugtown" and danced and sung by cartoon bugs, and also includes quick snippet "homages" to other songs from Warner Brothers musicals, but mainly is a spoof about the "Honeymoon Hotel" song ......all sung and danced by cartoon bugs.One of the great, classic early cartoons, and one of the earliest color cartoons.--------------------- Written by Tex Allen, SAG Actor.Email Tex Allen at TexAllen@Rocketmail.Com Visit WWW.IMDb.Me/TexAllen for movie actor credits and biography details.

This is a pre-Code Warner Bros. Busby Berkeley musical starring...James Cagney!Cagney develops live musical prologues to be shown on stage at movie houses before the start of a film. (If you've seen the "Let's Go To The Movies" number in ANNIE you get the idea.) It's one catastrophe after another as Cagney tries to keep things running smoothly while staying a step ahead of the competition.Joan Blondell is great as Cagney's secretary, who loves him more than he realizes. The solid cast also includes Busby Berkeley regulars Dick Powell and Ruby Keeler as a young new tenor and a secretary-turned- leading lady, respectively, with Frank McHugh as the perpetually worried dance instructor and Hugh Herbert as the morality adviser/censor. Lloyd Bacon directs the showbiz tale, with spectacular choreography by the inimitable Busby Berkeley.I've seen this film's contemporaries (42ND STREET and GOLD DIGGERS OF 1933) and usually feel lukewarm toward these early musicals, but I found myself surprisingly receptive to FOOTLIGHT PARADE. I really liked Blondell's performance, with the romantic tension and snappy wit, and I could tolerate Keeler in her role. McHugh adds whiny comic relief and the script has some racy pre-Code touches. The film also benefits from James Cagney's screen presence. Cagney, best known for his gangster roles, demonstrates some dance steps in this rare musical appearance.Berkeley choreographs a handful of routines (including an awkward cat- themed number), but saves the three biggest for the very end: "Honeymoon Hotel", "By A Waterfall", and "Shanghai Lil". As was often the case, the dance numbers are meant to be staged within the context of the story (a show within a show) and as was always the case, Berkeley choreographs cinematically, using camera movements, insert shots, and cuts that make no sense within the reality of the story. But his routines are meant for the moviegoers and they are awe-inspiring.The water nymph routine will blow you away. I've seen my fair share of Busby Berkeley numbers, but the water nymph sequence may be his masterpiece. Did Berkeley invent synchronized swimming? I don't know, but he might as well have. There are unbelievable kaleidoscopic overhead shots as well as underwater choreography. I can't figure out how they did the shot of the swimmers in concentric rings, spinning in different directions, since the swimmers seemed to be lying still in the water. (Movie magic?) The more complex overhead shots are some of the most impressive visuals I've ever seen in a musical."Honeymoon Hotel" is a racy little number about couples spending their first night together in a hotel. Men in pajamas, women in negligees, bedrooms. There's a peculiar "child" that runs around causing mischief, but the scene has a neat larger-than-life dollhouse shot and a creative bit of stop-motion animation. "Shanghai Lil" follows a sailor through a crowded saloon in search of an elusive woman. There's a brawl, there are marching soldiers in formation, there's Ruby Keeler dolled up like a Chinese call girl, and there's Jimmy Cagney dancing and singing.With a great cast and impressive dances, this is an enjoyable ride. Maybe the best of the early WB musicals.