The
Warner's track record for expensive, glamorous and star studded musicals
reached it height in The Gold Diggers of 1937. The plot for the film was
based on a popular broadway show called "Sweet Mystery of Life" and naturally,
this mystery took place backstage at a Broadway Theater. Once again, Warner's
best plot twists and turns tale place in the seedy world of theater. The
film scrip was revised to include new jokes and jibes that made this musical
fun and entertaining. The ever present Dick Powell, playing an insurance
salesman, is bamboozled by a coupla' chislers (played by Osgood Perkeins
and Charles D. Brown) who convince him to put a million dollar policy
on a hypochondriac theatrical producer (Victor Moore). Naturally, if he
expires, the 'show' which is in need of a broadway backer, 'will go on'.
Powell, realizing his folly attempts to keep the Producer in good health;
there is a funny scene where (they) are checking his pulse etc. and it
is reminiscent of classic 'vaudeville' as the audience is in on the joke!
As usual, Joan Blondell, the wisecrackin' secretary is on hand to save
the day.
Busby
Berkeley, did only two production numbers for this show, the most famous
and most popular being Al Dubin and Harry Warren's two songs, "With Plenty
of Money and You" and "All's fair in Love and War". He had requested Warren
and Dubin, because his other songwriters hadn't given him what he wanted.
This put everyone in a bad spot, since they were all good friends! Busby
insisted that they come on board and he ended up using their songs for
his big numbers. In between, Harold Arlen and E.Y. Harburg did the remainder
of the songs, their subtle melodies didn't end up grabbing the public's
attention. The first, served as the film's opener, the latter as the Big
Finale staged by Berkeley.
Al
Dubin's catchy lyrics sum it up: ("All's Fair in Love and War") "And
with your back against the wall She marches you to City Hall and leads
you through the door And then the deed is done, her victory is won For
Love is just like War". Joan Blondell leads the charge in this wonderful
finale staged on a shiny black floor. Busby mentions that this number,
staged without an expensive set was done to spite the Front Office who
was complaining about the costs. The number was nominated for an Academy
Award! The over seventy girls are dressed in 1930s style satin tap pants
with white military jackets on top. Bearing their flags, drums and standards,
this film finale marches to a rousing close and brings the Warner's continued
musical comedy standards up a notch. Today, the songs by Warren and Dubin
still are part of American Pop Standards, with Tony Benett and Mel Torme
both, recording "Plenty of Money and You".
