Dames (1934)
- General info
- Available formats
- Synopsis:
- Multi-millionaire Ezra Ounce (Hugh Herbert) wants to start a campaign against 'filthy' forms of entertainment, like Broadway Shows. He comes to his relatives' families and makes them members of his morale-boosting campaign. But Jimmy (Dick Powell), another relative, is producing a show starring Ezra's niece Barbara (Ruby Keeler). But he had bad luck with his backer, this person has given him an invalid check. Another of his victims, show-girl Mabel (Joan Blondell) has the idea of blackmailing Barbara's father Horace (Guy Kibbee), whom she met before in a slightly compromising situation to get the money.
- Actors:
- Joan Blondell, Dick Powell, Ruby Keeler, Zasu Pitts, Guy Kibbee, Hugh Herbert, Arthur Vinton, Phil Regan, Arthur Aylesworth, Johnny Arthur, Leila Bennett, Berton Churchill, Bess Flowers, Richard Quine, Avis Adair, Marvelle Andre, Loretta Andrews, Cecil Arden, Gail Arnold, Mary Ashcraft
- Directors:
- Ray Enright, Busby Berkeley
- Producers:
- Hal B. Wallis
- Writers:
- Delmer Daves, Robert Lord
- Genres:
- Classics, Comedy, Music & Musicals, Romance
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Reviews (1) of Dames
Warners Musical. - Dames review by Steve
Typical ’30s Warner Brothers musical, with Busby Berkley’s extravagant choreography, music from Dubin and Warren and a familiar setup as Dick Powell snubs his puritanical rich relations to put on a Broadway revue starring his showgirl squeeze (Ruby Keeler). Though it feels like the formula has peaked and the studio sliced the budget.
So there's a lesser director. Powell, Keeler and Joan Blondell are the stars rather than support. The plot is recycled from Gold Diggers of 1933 but without the snappy wisecracks. And the arrival of censorship has compromised the visual innuendo which was a staple of the best Berkeley numbers. Though fittingly, this is actually about such regulation.
The musical spectaculars are inconsistent. Girl at the Ironing Board is mundane. Still, it's Busby's contributions that are the best part of the picture… I Only Have Eyes for You plays as a jaw dropping (and unsettling) tribute to Ruby Keeler, with the screen filled with dancers in huge Keeler masks! The star appears out of an eye in one of the giant faces!
It's such a classic song, maybe the excessive repetition of the chorus can be indulged. The title number is also a winner. There are likeable performances. And some of the editing effects are extraordinary. But this represents the end of peak period Warner Brothers musicals. Another victim of the Production Code. There's not even enough dames!