AFI CATALOG OF FEATURE FILMS

THE FIRST 100 YEARS 1893–1993

Movie Title

Gold Diggers of 1933 (1933)

90 or 96 mins | Musical comedy | 27 May 1933

Cast:

Warren William, Joan Blondell, Aline MacMahon [ More ]

Director:

Mervyn LeRoy

Writers:

Erwin Gelsey, James Seymour

Cinematographer:

Sol Polito

Editor:

George Amy

Production Designer:

Anton Grot

Production Company:

Warner Bros. Pictures, Inc.
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HISTORY

The film's working title was High Life. The film was one of the top grossing films of 1933. Warner Bros. files indicate that George Brent was considered for the Warren William role. According to modern sources, the stage was lifted forty feet in order to achieve sweeping shots. The Long Beach earthquake took place during the production, short-circuiting the women playing neon violins. According to modern sources, Joan Blondell's voice was dubbed by black singer Etta Moten in the "Remember the Forgotten Man" number. Modern sources list Dave O'Brien (Chorus Boy) and Wilbur Mack (Society reporter) in the cast. Avery Hopwood's play was first filmed by David Belasco for Warner Bros. in 1923 as The Gold Diggers, starring Hope Hampton and Wyndham Standing and directed by Harry Beaumont. In 1929, Warner Bros made a talking version entitled Gold Diggers of Broadway, which Roy Del Ruth directed. It starred Nancy Welford and Conway Tearle (see entries). Warner Bros. made several sequels: Gold Diggers of 1935, Gold Diggers of 1937 and Gold Diggers in Paris (see entries). ...

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The film's working title was High Life. The film was one of the top grossing films of 1933. Warner Bros. files indicate that George Brent was considered for the Warren William role. According to modern sources, the stage was lifted forty feet in order to achieve sweeping shots. The Long Beach earthquake took place during the production, short-circuiting the women playing neon violins. According to modern sources, Joan Blondell's voice was dubbed by black singer Etta Moten in the "Remember the Forgotten Man" number. Modern sources list Dave O'Brien (Chorus Boy) and Wilbur Mack (Society reporter) in the cast. Avery Hopwood's play was first filmed by David Belasco for Warner Bros. in 1923 as The Gold Diggers, starring Hope Hampton and Wyndham Standing and directed by Harry Beaumont. In 1929, Warner Bros made a talking version entitled Gold Diggers of Broadway, which Roy Del Ruth directed. It starred Nancy Welford and Conway Tearle (see entries). Warner Bros. made several sequels: Gold Diggers of 1935, Gold Diggers of 1937 and Gold Diggers in Paris (see entries).

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SOURCE CITATIONS
SOURCE
DATE
PAGE
Film Daily
25 May 1933
p. 7
Hollywood Reporter
19 May 1933
p. 3
International Photographer
1 Mar 1933
p. 21
Motion Picture Herald
27 May 1933
p. 31
New York Times
4 Jun 1933
p. 3
New York Times
8 Jun 1933
p. 22
New York Times
18 Jun 1933
p. 3
Variety
13 Jun 1933
p. 15
CAST
NAME
CREDITED AS
CREDIT
PRODUCTION CREDITS
NAME
PARENT COMPANY
PRODUCTION COMPANY
Warner Bros. Pictures, Inc.
NAME
CREDITED AS
CREDIT
DIRECTOR
Mervyn LeRoy
Dir
PRODUCER
Robert Lord
Supv
PHOTOGRAPHY
Sol Polito
Photog
Michael Joyce
2d cam
Speed Mitchell
Asst cam
ART DIRECTOR
Anton Grot
Art dir
FILM EDITOR
George Amy
Film ed
COSTUMES
Orry-Kelly
Gowns
MUSIC
Leo F. Forbstein
Vitaphone Orch cond
SOUND
Nathan Levinson
Rec
DANCE
Busby Berkeley
Numbers created and dir
SOURCES
LITERARY
Based on the play The Gold Diggers by Avery Hopwood (New York, 30 Sep 1919).
LITERARY SOURCE AUTHOR
Avery Hopwood
SONGS
"We're in the Money," "Shadow Waltz," "I've Got to Sing a Torch Song," "Pettin' in the Park" and "Remember My Forgotten Man," music and lyrics by Harry Warren and Al Dubin.
SONGWRITER/COMPOSER
Al Dubin
Harry Warren
DETAILS
Alternate Title:
High Life
Release Date:
27 May 1933
Production Date:

Copyright Info
Claimant
Date
Copyright Number
Warner Bros. Pictures, Inc.
17 June 1933
LP3953
Physical Properties:
Sound
Black and White
Duration(in mins):
90 or 96
Length(in reels):
11
Country:
United States
SYNOPSIS

Carol King, Trixie Lorraine and Polly Parker, three out-of-work showgirls living together in a cheap New York City apartment, are down to their last pair of stockings when rival Fay Fortune informs them that Broadway producer Barney Hopkins is putting on a show. Carol brings Barney to the apartment, where the girls have gathered their friends, including Polly's boyfriend, Brad Roberts, an aspiring songwriter, to audition. After Barney hears the songs, he admits that he has no backers, but Brad offers to put up the money on the condition that Polly is featured in the show. Trixie and Carol are sure that Brad is broke and fear that he has stolen the money when he refuses to appear on stage. On opening night, Brad is forced to replace the juvenile. The musical is a success, but Brad is recognized as Robert Treat Bradford, the heir to a prominent Boston family's fortune. When the news breaks, Brad's brother Lawrence and the family banker, Faneuil H. Peabody, come to New York to stop Brad's career and plans to marry Polly. Matters are further complicated when Carol poses as Polly, pretending to be the gold digger whom Lawrence expects. Trixie also plays along and seduces Peabody. As Polly, Carol accepts Lawrence's pay-off not to marry Brad, but because she has fallen in love with him, admits her true identity. Lawrence realizes he is in love with Carol as well and changes his attitude about showgirls. Finally, Brad marries Polly, and Trixie weds ...

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Carol King, Trixie Lorraine and Polly Parker, three out-of-work showgirls living together in a cheap New York City apartment, are down to their last pair of stockings when rival Fay Fortune informs them that Broadway producer Barney Hopkins is putting on a show. Carol brings Barney to the apartment, where the girls have gathered their friends, including Polly's boyfriend, Brad Roberts, an aspiring songwriter, to audition. After Barney hears the songs, he admits that he has no backers, but Brad offers to put up the money on the condition that Polly is featured in the show. Trixie and Carol are sure that Brad is broke and fear that he has stolen the money when he refuses to appear on stage. On opening night, Brad is forced to replace the juvenile. The musical is a success, but Brad is recognized as Robert Treat Bradford, the heir to a prominent Boston family's fortune. When the news breaks, Brad's brother Lawrence and the family banker, Faneuil H. Peabody, come to New York to stop Brad's career and plans to marry Polly. Matters are further complicated when Carol poses as Polly, pretending to be the gold digger whom Lawrence expects. Trixie also plays along and seduces Peabody. As Polly, Carol accepts Lawrence's pay-off not to marry Brad, but because she has fallen in love with him, admits her true identity. Lawrence realizes he is in love with Carol as well and changes his attitude about showgirls. Finally, Brad marries Polly, and Trixie weds Peabody.

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KEEP EXPLORING
Romance, Theatrical backers, Upper classes, Impersonation and imposture, Bankers, Show business, The Depression, 1929, New York City--Broadway, Snobs and snobbishness, Gold diggers
The American Film Institute is grateful to Sir Paul Getty KBE and the Sir Paul Getty KBE Estate for their dedication to the art of the moving image and their support for the AFI Catalog of Feature Films and without whose support AFI would not have been able to achieve this historical landmark in this epic scholarly endeavor.