DAMES/ΓΥΜΝΕΣ ΓΥΝΑΙΚΕΣ

Dames
Warner Bros. / Vitaphone, 1934, B/W, 90 minutes
Released August, 1934

It's call Dames for many gorgeous young reasons, but reviewers past and present label this blissful musical romp Gold Diggers of 1934 because of its stars from the prior year's Gold Diggers movie, its showbiz story and its glorious Busby Berkeley razzmatazz.

Dick Powell and Ruby Keeler again have eyes only for each other in this tale of stage hopefuls versus a disapproving decency group. And all audience eyes are on the screen as Berkeley reinvents filmmaking via a subway dream ("I Only Have Eyes for You"), a staggeringly kaleidoscopic arrangement of showgirls in black tights (Dames) and other bravura imaginings. It's geometry in motion. You won't believe your eyes!

Producer: Robert Lord
Directed by: Ray Enright
Numbers Created and Directed by: Busby Berkeley
Screen Play by: Delmer Daves
Story by: Robert Lord & Delmer Daves
Music and Lyrics by: Warren & Dubin, Fain & Kahal, Dixon & Wrubel
Vitaphone Orchestra Conducted by: Leo F. Forbstein
Art Directors: Robert M. Haas, Willy Pogany
Gowns by: Orry-Kelly
Photography by: Sid Hickox, George Barnes, Sol Polito
Edited by: Harold McLernon

Cast: Joan Blondell [Mabel Anderson], Dick Powell [Jimmy Higgens], Ruby Keeler [Barbara Hemingway], ZaSu Pitts [Mathilda Hemingway], Guy Kibbee [Horace], Hugh Herbert [Ezra Ounce], Arthur Vinton [Bulger], Phil Regan [Johnny Harris], Arthur Aylesworth [Conductor], Johnny Arthur [Billings, Secretary], Leila Bennett [Laura the Maid], Berton Churchill [H. Ellsworthy Todd], Additional Cast: Sammy Fain [Buttercup Baumer], Pat Harper, Ruth Eddings, De Don Blunier, Gloria Faythe, Diana Douglas [Chorus Girls], Lester Dorr [Elevator Starter], Eddy Chandler [Guard], Harry Holman [Spanish War Veteran], Fred "Snowflake" Toones [Porter], Frank Darien [Druggist], Eddie Kane [Harry, Stage Manager], Charles Williams [Dance Director], Phil Tead [Reporter]

Musical Program: [0:09] When You Were a Smile on Your Mother's Lips (sung by Dick Powell to Ruby Keeler); [0:24] I Only Have Eyes for You (sung by Dick Powell); [0:33] Try to See It My Way (sung by Dick Powell); [0:46] rehearsal (danced by Ruby Keeler); [0:46] rehearsal (danced by Ruby Keeler and Chorus Girls); [0:57] The Girl at the Ironing Board (sung by Joan Blondell and Girls Chorus); [1:05] I Only Have Eyes for You (big production number sung by Dick Powell and Chorus, sung and danced by Chorus Girls -- lots of special effects); [1:16] Dames (big production number sung by Dick Powell with Busby Berkeley Girls -- lots of special effects); [1:27] Try to See It My Way (sung by Joan Blondell and Chorus)