Gold Diggers of 1935
This film was Busby Berkeley's gift from the Studio. As the primary force behind this film, he both directed and staged his musical numbers. The film is memorable in that it gave birth to one of Harry Warren and Al Dubins biggest show stoppers "The Lullaby of Broadway" which won for Harry, his first Academy Award. In addition, the song "The Words are in My Heart" and "I'm Goin' Shoppin with You" also came from this film.

Here's the Plot for you folks who demand it:

Set in the swank New England Summer Hotel, the staff are preparing for the season. A set of wealthy patrons, complete with weak son- in -laws, Bossy Dowagers, and shy daughter- in- law make up the "upper class contingent". Dick Powell, ever present, plays the hired help who schemes to gain money from the Hotel's entertainment budget.

However, Powell is already engaged to someone else. But, no matter; she's a bit of a "gold digger" and wants the wealthy son in law for herself! The idea of the powerless plotting to 'fleece the wealthy' was no doubt a favorite plot device with the Depression audience.

The film's lacking the brassy comedy of Joan Blondell and the enduring sweetness of Ruby Keeler; these wonderful actresses are unfortunately, not present in this particular film.
Some of the "tapping hordes" from the "Lullaby Of Broadway" sequence.

Of the three songs in the film, only "I'm going shopping with You" supports the storyline of the wealthy daughter, and Dick Powell, going on a spree with mother's money.

The songs by Warren and Dubin always gave Busby Berkeley ideas; Dubin, often was the genesis of the ideas as Harry Warren often attests in many later radio interviews when he discussed those years at Warners.

Sometimes, Berkeley often created ideas for their own sakes as in the number for the "Words in My Heart" which featured Dick Powell singing in a rowboat, and a legion of white moving pianos!
In the famous dancing piano scene, the lightweight piano shells were moved around by black-clad men manuevering the pianos on their back while following tape markings on the floor!

The song "Lullaby of Broadway" was a "film within a film". A story about the nightlife of a New York "Broadway Baby". Set against the montages of New York at night, the song begins with a solo shot of Wini Shaw's face against a black backdrop. As the song continues, we are swept through a sequence of life, loves, romance and finally death in this arresting sequence. A pair of Latin dancers enter and gracefully whirl to the strains of a muted version of the song and then return with an army of tap dancers behind them.

Dick Powell and Wini are brought into the action and the show concludes with an accidental death. Wini, in her gay abandon falls from atop a balcony to her death below. But, the city never sleeps and as the scene draws to a close, we see another view of Manhatten at night, and the faded photograph of Winis head..in memorium as the last lines of the song are sung.

A film fantasy sequence, it remains as one of Berkeley's most powerful numbers on film that holds up today.

Some of the chorus girls from the movie pose for a publicity still!