This week’s pick is the first in a series of Warner Brothers musicals choreographed by the legendary Busby Berkelely. Known for his kaleidoscopes of beautiful chorus girls, Berkeley’s musical numbers are some of the most entertaining moments ever captured on celluloid.

The story of 42nd Street doesn’t really matter. It’s almost always the same in these early Warner Brothers musicals – down on his luck Broadway producer has one last chance to produce a hit, so he gathers a group of gorgeous girls and puts on one heck of a show. These movies are all about the music and choreography.

The great thing about these movies is that although the musical numbers are supposed to take place on a stage, Berkeley didn’t limit himself to that. He knew that he was choreographing for film and not the stage, so he used incredibly elaborate sets and complex camera movements that would never be possible on the stage.

42nd Street was such a huge hit that they repeated the formula throughout the 30s making big stars of Ruby Keeler and Dick Powell. If you enjoy it, stick around for its followup immediately after – Gold Diggers of 1933. It’s got a very young Ginger Rogers singing “We’re in the Money” and showing off her pig-latin talents.

42nd Street (1933) – Wednesday, March 17 at 8:00pm EST
The definitive backstage musical, complete with the dazzling newcomer who goes on for the injured star.
Cast: Warner Baxter, Bebe Daniels, George Brent, Ruby Keeler Dir: Lloyd Bacon BW-89 mins, TV-G