FOOTLIGHT PARADE MOVIE

The other train passengers participate in the number with their chorus voices while Rudy and Clarence execute some jolly tap dancing.

The boat suddenly becomes a train and the visual effect impresses us as well as the applauding public in the movie. They are on the boat, on their way to Buffalo. Shuffle Off to Buffalo starts in a quiet way with Ruby Keeler and Clarence Nordstrom playing a newly wed couple. Busby Berkeley was an essential figure in backstage musicals.īut let’s now explore two musical numbers of this film in greater details: In one of my film history classes, my teacher discussed musical films and introduced the class by teaching us about backstage musicals, those films telling the story of a Broadway show. But it’s only when I was in Cegep that I really heard of Busby Berkeley or, more precisely, that I learned that this musical number that I loved so much was choreographed by him. I remember watching it often on YouTube and trying to learn the song by heart.

FOOTLIGHT PARADE MOVIE

Despite not being so impressed by it on my first viewing, the final musical number always had a place among my very favourite movie scenes. Then, I watched it a second-time years later (actually, I think it was last year) and simply adored it. I was not much older than 15 or 16 years old and, to be honest, didn’t really love it. Of course, Berkeley worked on many more films, including the well-known family classic The Wizard of Oz.Ĥ2nd Street is the first film choreographed by Busby Berkeley that I saw. Five films would be explored: 42nd Street, Gold Diggers of 1933, Footlight Parade, Dames and Lady Be Good. The kaleidoscopic spectacle was to be his trademark and made him a real magician.įor my participation in the Busby Berkeley Blogathon, I’ve decided to discuss my favourite musical numbers directed by him. His choreographies had something that was proper to him and didn’t only allowed the dancers to prove their skills, but for some, became real pieces of art. For those like me who like the musical genre, Berkeley is an essential. Something special is happening at Hometowns to Hollywood as Annette is hosting a blogathon for the very first time! The classic film enthusiast has chosen to honour the world of musicals with an event dedicated to the golden age of Hollywood choreographer Busby Berkeley.

Footlight parade