42nd Street

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42nd Street

1933,

1h 29m,

Musical/

Comedy/

Drama/

Romance/

Music

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Watchlist

93%

27 Reviews

Tomatometer

74%

5,000+ Ratings

Popcornmeter

93%

Tomatometer

27 Reviews

74%

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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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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Richard Brody

The New Yorker

Apr 14, 2020

Modern musicals start here, and Busby Berkeley's genius bursts into full flower.

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Dave Kehr

Chicago Reader

Oct 16, 2007

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.

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Mordaunt Hall

New York Times

Aug 8, 2006

4.5/5

The liveliest and one of the most tuneful screen musical comedies that has come out of Hollywood.

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Sean Axmaker

Stream on Demand

Jul 28, 2026

... dance choreographer Busby Berkeley took the opportunity to completely reimagine the musical production number for the possibilities of cinema.

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Mike Massie

Gone With The Twins

Mar 17, 2025

3/10

The title tune remains memorable (as does the parting shot), but this pioneering product-of-its-time no longer possesses much filmic power.

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Tony Sloman

Radio Times

Jul 9, 2024

5/5

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.

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Albus G

Feb 25, 2019

Amazing for 1933 in its tempo, arrangements, and songs. The big test is do you feel better after seeing this movie? In this case, it all works, and the answer is a resounding yes. 42nd Street was to lead to dozens of other musicals, most not quite so artistically successful as this one. This is the standard by which every follow up had to be measured.

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Han W

Jan 5, 2019

The movie that made Ruby Keeler a star and featured Busby Berkley's ground breaking signature choreography. Although much of it seems a bit hokey now, the dancing sure holds up as do the songs! A cast of people who would one day be very famous pull it off!

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George M

Mar 5, 2018

Hokey and dated - but boy is it swell when they get to those closing numbers! The precursor to the Hollywood musical and to the even more spectacular Broadway musicals of the '40s and '50s. Ruby Keeler may not shine as much as in some of her later works, but this is definitely near the top. A great supporting cast.

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Kylo L

Jan 15, 2018

1001 movies to see before you die and another lost flixster rating.

Dec 16, 2017

Classic everything: chorus-girl-becomes-star, hoofing, Busby Berkeley, and appearance of Ginger Rogers.

Theodore M

May 13, 2017

Great movie with great cast. Full of glorious cliches - "The show must go on". The songs and dances are not to be missed. A must see rating.....

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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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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, Drama, Romance, Music
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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