Not that it makes things better for cast members of shows that suddenly end in financial uncertainty, but last night I watched the movie "Gold DIggers of 1933" about putting on a show in the 1930s. It's a classic black and white musical comedy, choreography by Busby Berkeley - a joy.
It begins with show girls in full pelt, singing "We're in the Money", a final rehearsal for a splashy big Broadway show.
Within seconds, bailiffs arrive, the set and costumes are confiscated, the producer is outraged, the cast is thrown into unemployment; financial troubles are the cause. "How could I pay the bills??" protests the producer, "I'm trying to get a show on!"
Soon, the producer is back with a new idea, has the cast, has the girls, has the score ... and nobody knows where the money is coming from.
I don't know about anyone else, but when I used to watch such "let's put on a show" movies, I thought they were a fantasy.
"Gold Diggers of 1933" now comes across as a remarkable and sad piece of realism. |
