Rating: 
Summary: A Musical Kaleidoscope
Review: I've never been a fan of musicals. People spontaneously breaking into song doesn't do much for me. So I watched 42nd Street because I knew it was an important early musical and the musical numbers were directed by the legendary Busby Berkeley. In other words, it had historical value. And if only for that reason, I would recommend others watch it, too. But I actually liked the movie more than I was expecting. There's not much to the story, but the backstage action is fun to watch. The musical numbers really are an eyeful, and I can see why Berkeley has the reputation he has. There are some great lines (most supplied by Ginger Rogers as "Anytime Annie"), and the acting really isn't important, so there's not much to say. I enjoyed the title song, plus a few others. I have one complaint: Ruby Keeler. It's a real stretch for the imagination to believe that Broadway would have cheered her as a great new star. She was a clunky dancer, and not exactly a vocal wonder, either. But that aside, the movie is entertaining, and it really is fascinating to look at the kind of movie Hollywood produced in the early Thirties after sound came in. It might surprise some people.
Rating: 
Summary: This movie is "getting to be a habit with me"!
Review: 42nd STREET is an absolutely wonderful film! This landmark in the history of movie musicals remains fresh and timeless. Oscar- winner Warner Baxter leads a magnificent all-star cast as the director of the Broadway production PRETTY LADY. This film was a turning point in the careers of Dick Powell and Ginger Rogers. Ruby Keeler makes a strong impression in her debut and star-making role, but silent film star Bebe Daniels, as the tempermental leading lady who breaks her ankle on the eve of opening night, probably gives the best performance. The screenplay is structured, tight, and overflowing with delightful vignettes and observations about the theatre, while maintaining a perfect balance between comedy and surprisingly powerful drama. Busby Berkeley's stupendous choreography make the three finale numbers classics. Harry Warren's melodies and Al Dubin's lyrics are memorable in such standards as SHUFFLE OFF TO BUFFALO and YOUNG AND HEALTHY. Everything from the set decoration and costumes to the cinematography are perfect. This nostalgic piece of movie magic is among the greatest motion pictures ever produced.
Rating:
Summary: "Hear the beat of dancing feet..."
Review: I just saw this movie last night. It is one of the best musicals I have ever seen. The songs are fantastic (except for 'I'm Young and Healthy') and the dances are mesmorising. I love the plot and how it shows the backstage life of Broadway plays. The plot does, however, fall short at times. The only thing that bothered me about this film was how abrupt the ending was. It just ends and leaves so many questions unanswered. Otherwise, this is a great movie.
Rating:
Summary: A Monumental Musical
Review: Maybe in the fast paced world of the 21st Century this old time musical may seem corny and passe, but to fans of early musicals, "42nd Street" is the single musical which would define the genre for decades to come. Most musicals prior to "42nd Street", didn't even have a plot, but after this film movie musicals were elevated to an artform.The print on this DVD copy is absolutely flawless. It is truly hard to believe that the original movie came out in 1933. The movie draws you into the lives of the players, all trying to produce a successful Broadway show. The whole cast is noteworthy and includes some of Hollywood's best like:Dick Powell,Ruby Keeler,Warner Baxter,Ned Sparks,Ginger Rogers, and Una Merkel among others. Throw in the score by Harry Warren and Al Dubin and you certainly have a feast for the eyes as well as the ears. The DVD copy has over 30 minutes of added attractions as well. The one short included is a gem of Harry Warren singing his own tunes. The other short is an interested look from 1934 into what goes on in a Hollywood studio. Also included is the original trailer to "42nd Street". If you are a fan of great musicals, this one should certainly be in your library...
Rating:
Summary: "Come and meet,,those dance'n feet!"
Review: It doesn't matter if it's 1933 or 2002 this is the grand daddy of all musicals and the beginning of some Broadway hits like "42nd Street" and "Dames At Sea". "42nd Street with it's excellent classic music, corney and funny story of a girl landing the lead in a Broadway musical. This movie which is timeless is just pure fun.The most amazing thing about this DVD is the remarkable transformation. It's pretty flawless in picture quality. The sound for it's time still can hold it's own and has some great bass sound. I wonder how this would sound if it was rechanneled to 5.1 using todays technology.All in all this is a masterpiece of a film, the production numbers from the master and the wonderful talent of Ruby Keeler, Warner Baxter and Bebe Daniels are priceless. The extras on the DVD is a wonderful historical bonus.
Rating:
Summary: Prepare To Be Dazzled With This 1933 Classic.
Review: 42nd Street is the story of Peggy Sawyer, a young inspiring actress, who ends up auditioning, and starring as a chorus girl in a new musical called "Pretty Lady", directed by Julian Marsh. While at a party however, the leading lady, Dorothy Brock breaks her leg, and Peggy's love interest Billy Lawlor suggests to Julian that Peggy be the replacement for the leading lady's role. However, there are only 2 weeks left before opening night. Will Peggy be ready for this challenge? 42nd Street is one of the best movie musicals of all time, if not one of the best movies in history. The film is a spectacular creation of dance and song, and is very realistic to the real life acting world that surrounds inspiring actors today. The performances are excellent, in particular Warner Baxter for his portrayel of Julian Marsh, the director of the show, who is very ill. Another highlight of the show is Ginger Roger's performance as Anytime Annie, one of Peggy's friends, and a supporting cast member in the show. The ending is fabulous...they go into great detail with the musical, and it ends right where it should. There are no flaws at all, except for the opening scene, in which Julian hears from his Doctor, that he may be suffering from a nervous breakdown. The scene was well thought out, but would have came at a better time sometime later in the film. 42nd Street is a must-see for those fans of Broadway at heart.
Rating:
Summary: Best Broadway Musical: 42nd Street!
Review: If you only ever see one Broadway play in your life, it'd better be 42nd street! It's jam-packed with tap dancers, songs, and oodles of pretty girls! This story of the production of the play 'Pretty Lady' is a snapshot of a few things that acctually happen to make a show run. This musical is for kids ages 8-80!!
Rating:
Summary: Shuffle Off to 42nd Street!
Review: It took awhile for me to locate this movie, but it was well worth it. How can you not miss with Dick Powell and Ruby Keeler and the ensemble cast? When the director (Warner Baxter) loses his show's leading lady (played by silent film star Bebe Daniels), because she breaks her ankle on the evening of opening night, a wide-eyed chorus girl (Keeler) is thrust into the role. This is a soaring spectacle of sights, sounds, and songs, including the famous "42nd Street". It is the definitive backstage musical - and the film that introduced it to the world. The Busby Berkeley choreography is elaborate and kaleidoscopic. A marvelous addition to any video library!!
Rating: 
Summary: Disappointed
Review: The trouble with the word "classic" is that it becomes applied to films that don't deserve it. Perhaps that's a little harsh, but after watching 42nd Street, that's what came to mind. Now, I can understand how it could gain that name. When it was made in 1933, it was likely a groundbreaker in terms of the movie musical. Busby Berkley is a name known throughout the world for good reason, and the dance sequences in 42nd Street are eyepopping. It's the rest of the movie that is lacking. I didn't care a whit about any of the characters in the film. I'll take that back, I cared that the guy got dumped and that the girl that dumped him seemed to be prostituting herself for her work. And that's one of the better qualities of the film. In 1933, the Hays office had not yet been created and the dark aspects of society, however implied, could still pass muster and be played out on the screen. The film only picks up, though, during the scenes of the Broadway play "Pretty Lady," when Berkley's genius finally comes to the fore. The rest is merely leading up to that finale. Several famous names appear like Dick Powell, Ruby Keeler, Una Merkel, and Ginger Rogers; and 42nd Street also contains songs like the title tune and "Shuffle Off to Buffalo." A Broadway adaptation was launched in 1980, based on the movie, rather than vice versa.
Rating:
Summary: My Two Cents
Review: I love old movies. Can't get enough of them. That being said I was impressed by this film. The plot is merely a vehicle for the songs(which I can't stop singing)and the dance numbers. But what is most remarkable is the picture quality on this DVD, it is stunning for a 1933 film. And the sound for a mono is pretty great also. The extras are fun, like watching the old film processing methods & seeing the song writer playing his own material. Just great fun. The stunning transfer to DVD rates this one 5 stars.
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