The story is silly and is thin to the extent that you're searching for whether there is one, and for this viewer Gold Diggers of 1933 was the better film. Nonetheless, Gold Diggers of 1935 is still great, even when set in a Depression setting it's still a lot of fun. It is visually wonderful, cleverly photographed and with sumptuous costumes and sets. The songs are melodious and catchy as well as beautiful, The Words Are In My Heart and particularly Lullaby of Broadway were the two standouts. The dialogue is snappy and genuinely funny, the film is warm-hearted and charming all the way through and Berkeley in one of his earliest directing efforts does a fine job directing. The performances serve the film nicely, Dick Powell- in excellent voice- and the astonishingly beautiful Gloria Stuart are good leads(and no Ruby Keeler is not missed), but Gold Diggers of 1935 was one case where the supporting cast were more colourful. Alice Brady is an absolute riot, while Glenda Farrell and Hugh Herbert bring to the table some great wisecracks. But you cannot not mention Bekeley's choreography, it's always a pleasure to watch but here in Gold Diggers of 1935 it's amazing. Lullaby of Broadway contains some of his absolute best choreography(on par with the finale of Footlight Parade and perhaps even better) and is also a number that tells a story, a depressing but very moving one. All in all, a great film and one where Busby Berkeley will not be disappointed, if anything it'd be hard not to be enthralled. 9/10 Bethany Cox
Review of Gold Diggers of 1935
