I first found out about this movie because it was listed in the book 1001 Movies You Must See Before You Die, then I saw it featured as part of Disney's Hollywood Studios attraction The Great Movie Ride, I loomed forward to it, directed by Lloyd Bacon (42nd Street). Basically it is the time where Hollywood movies have developed sound, the "talkies" have audiences flooding into theatres, causing many stage productions to go out of business. Chester Kent (James Cagney) is a Broadway musical producer, he comes up with the idea to produce musical numbers called "prologues," short live stage productions presented in movie theatres before the main feature is shown. Kent faces pressure from his business partners to create large marketable numbers, and his job is made harder by a rival stealing his ideas, probably with assistance from someone inside his company. Kent is so overwhelmed with work that he doesn't realise Nan Prescott (Joan Blondell), his secretary, has fallen in love with him, and is doing her best to protect both him and his interests. Kent's business partner announces that a big deal and contract with the Apolinaris theatre circuit depends on him impressing Mr. Apolinaris (Paul Porcasi) with three spectacular prologues, presented on the same night, one after another at three different theatres. Kent locks himself, his staff and the performers in the theatre to continuously choreograph and rehearse the three production numbers, and to prevent espionage leaks. Kent then stages "Honeymoon Hotel", "By a Waterfall", featuring the famous 'Human Waterfall', and "Shanghai Lil", featuring Kent and Bea Thorn (Ruby Keeler) dancing together. In the end, after the last prologue, Apolinaris agrees to a deal, and Kent and Nan embrace with a kiss. Also starring Dick Powell as Scott "Scotty" Blair, Frank McHugh as Francis, Guy Kibbee as Silas "Si" Gould and Arthur Hohl as Al Frazer. Cagney is well cast as the gregarious producer using his theatrical experience to create something to wow audiences before the main movie feature, prologues may be a long forgotten tradition, but you can see from the story why they were very entertaining at the time. Choreographer Busby Berkeley was at his peak, this movie really showcases his talent for spectacular extravaganzas, the highlight is definitely the mesmerising "By the Waterfall" sequence, featuring the famous human waterfall and a water ballet of 100 chorus girls, this alone is the real treat, but all together it is classic musical. Very good!
Review of Footlight Parade
