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The Busby Berkeley Collection (Footlight Parade / Gold Diggers of 1933 / Dames / Gold Diggers of 1935 / 42nd Street) | 
 enlarge | Directors: Roy Mack, Tex Avery, Lloyd French
Actors: Lita Grey, Sammy Davis Jr., Carleton Macy, George Haggerty (ii), The Sizzlers
Studio: Warner Home Video
Category: DVD
List Price: $59.98
Buy New: $34.34
You Save: $25.64 (43%)
New (45) Used (15) Collectible (1) from $33.93
Rating:  45 reviews
Sales Rank: 14052
Format: Box Set, Black & White, Closed-captioned, Color, Dvd-video, Ntsc
Languages: English (Original Language), English (Subtitled), Spanish (Subtitled), French (Subtitled)
Rating: Unrated
Number Of Items: 6
Aspect Ratio: 1.33:1
Shipping Weight (lbs): 1.3
Dimensions (in): 7.7 x 5.4 x 3.7
MPN: 67846
UPC: 012569678460
EAN: 0012569678460
ASIN: B000E0OE1M
Theatrical Release Date: November 23, 1935
Release Date: March 21, 2006
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
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| Editorial Reviews:
Amazon.com
The Busby Berkeley Collection celebrates the work of one of the most visually inventive director-choreographers in the history of film. The centerpiece is of course 42nd Street (1933). This is the quintessential backstage musical in which young Peggy Sawyer (Ruby Keeler) goes from wide-eyed chorus girl to leading lady, urged by Warner Baxter, "You're going out there a youngster, but you've got to come back a star!" A cast that also includes Dick Powell and Ginger Rogers (when she was an RKO contract player and before she teamed up with Fred Astaire) performs "Shuffle Off to Buffalo, " "You're Getting to Be a Habit with Me," and the title tune, in which Keeler tap-dances on a black surface that turns out to be the roof of a car. Berkeley's numbers are known for their kaleidoscopic patterns, their stark black-and-white contrast, and their sheer sense of spectacle. But more than anything, they're known for their celebration of women. By the dozens, they dance, play pianos, frolic in waterfalls, and, in some of the most overtly sexual numbers, stand spread-eagled in a line as the camera passes through their legs. In many ways, the title song from Dames sums it up best: "What do you go for / to see a show for? / Tell the truth, you go to see those beautiful dames." While Berkeley choreographed and directed the musical sequences in these films, the plot sections were generally directed by others such as Lloyd Bacon. Keeler and Powell were the most frequent headliners, supported by character players such as Joan Blondell, Guy Kibbee, and Ned Sparks, and most of the songs were contributed by Harry Warren and Al Dubin. The stories aren't much, usually revolving around the putting-together of a musical show as well as the lives and loves of chorus girls. The term "gold diggers," which is the source of the title of two of the films included in this set, refers unflatteringly to chorus girls in search of wealthy husbands. Gold Diggers of 1933 opens with a justly famous shot of Ginger Rogers wearing an outfit of coins and singing "We're in the Money" first in English then in pig Latin. Gold Diggers of 1935 is capped by "The Lullaby of Broadway," a 14-minute story-within-a-story that seems one of the inspirations for Singin' in the Rain's "Broadway Melody." Dames (1934) has the aforementioned title tune as well as "I Only Have Eyes for You" (with Powell singing to dozens of Keeler faces). Footlight Parade changes things up a bit by starring James Cagney as a producer desperately cranking out musical numbers. Keeler and Powell emerge from their bit-character roles to headline two of the big productions stacked together at the end, while Cagney replaces Powell in the third, showing off the vaudeville hoofing skills he would use later in 1942's Yankee Doodle Dandy. DVD supplements are generous. The sixth disc is the 163-minute Busby Berkely Disc, a former laserdisc program that collects just the musical numbers from nine films without the plot filler. Most of the numbers are already included in the films in this collection, but there are also one number each from Fashions of 1934, Wonder Bar, In Caliente, and Gold Diggers of 1937. Also on the discs are new and old featurettes (one tracks the development of 42nd Street from book to screen to stage), and vintage cartoons and shorts (one promotional short has Berkeley on-screen talking up Dames). Picture quality is about the same as on the Astaire and Rogers Collection, Vol. 1: good for the age of the material, but with noticeable fuzz and print damage. --David Horiuchi
Product Description
The Busby Berkeley Collection is a 6-disc compilation of five remastered Warner Bros. classics from one of the greatest motion picture choreographers of all time.Format: DVD MOVIE Genre: DRAMA UPC: 012569678460 Manufacturer No: 67846
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| Customer Reviews: Read 40 more reviews...
SPECTACULAR... September 4, 2008
This is one of my very favorite DVD sets... it is spectacular. The films are wonderful and Busby Berkeley's genius is completely deserving of this collection. The films are remastered to a gorgeous and sharp newness, and the sound is crisp! The artwork on the cases and box are eye-catching, but I wish the box was of thicker material because the edges are worn with just light shelf wear. If you love classic movies and love depression-era entertainment with its glamour, humor and creativity, then this is for you. One of my favorite purchases, I can hardly wait for volume 2... TOTALLY RECOMMENDED!
Busby Berkeley is great! September 1, 2008
An excellent collection of the most well-known Berkeley inspired films. The bonus disk with all the great choreography scenes in one package was a thrill. Everyone should know at least two of these films.
Mouth-watering musical menu August 18, 2008
This collection of the stunning WB musicals of the thirties is in the great tradition of Warner collections - super transfers of the main features and a fascinating collection of cartoons and shorts. Look at the Leon Errol short with "Dames" - brilliant technicolor and made in 1934, yet. A snapshot of the work of a studio at the start of its golden age, when artists and technicians worked together to produce quality entertainment.
WONDERFUL! August 7, 2008
WONDERFUL! HOW NICE TO ENJOY THESE FILMS AGAIN AND AGAIN AND AGAIN. THE COMPANIES OUGHT TO RELEASE DVDs WITH EARLY AMERICAN MOVIE MUSICALS, ESPECIALLY THOSE OF THE THIRTIES: THERE ARE WONDERS THEY OUGHT TO RESURRECT. KEEPING MY FINGERS CROSSED THAT THEY MAY READ MY PRAYER AND REALIZE IT.
Fantastic! July 20, 2008
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
This Berkeley box set is a must have for any fan of musicals, early talkies, or spectaculars. I have had all of the films on video, mostly recorded from the television over the years, but I am so glad I bought this box set, which shows the films off to the best advantage, in brilliant condition; so clear and 'new' looking that it's like seeing newly made versions of old favourites!
To top it all, the compilation DVD of Berkley's best numbers is just superb, and a great 'time filler' when there's nothing worth watching on the telly. It is worth the price on its own, especially as it contains 'Spin a Little Web of Dreams' and 'Don't say good night', which are not available in any other form. Pity they saw fit to exclude 'Going to Heaven on a mule' this time round though: that's really my only gripe.
It's great to have these DVD's, and so cheap too. One word of advice: if you live in UK then buy them through Amazon America rather than second-hand through Amazon UK: they will work out cheaper, and still only took a week and 1/2 to arrive.
Get a region 1 compatible DVD player and sit back and relax as these wonderful films take you on a fantasy trip of a lifetime!!
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