42nd Street
Seen it?1933 | 89 min | Comedy, Drama, Romance
Sunday Safe BetWhy it’s a Sunday Safe Bet
Critics loved it (96% on Rotten Tomatoes). A safe bet when you want something reliable.
Based on critics, audiences, awards, box office and buzz. Details below.Is it for you?
- Who'll love it
- Made for romantics and anyone who wants a laugh. If you loved Funny Girl, start here. Critics rate it higher than audiences do, so it rewards patience more than it chases thrills.
- The mood
- Funny with heart, romantic.
- The pace
- Takes its time with its characters, at 1 hr 29 min.
- What might put you off
- Made in 1933: an older pace and style.
- Audiences were cooler on it than critics.
Broadway director Julian Marsh needs just one more hit show so he can retire and recover his health. It looks like he just may pull it off until temperamental star Dorthy Brock breaks her ankle on the eve of the show's premiere and has to be replaced by her understudy Peggy.
How it earned its rating
- CriticsVery strong
96% on Rotten Tomatoes
- AudiencesSolid
7.0 out of 10
- AwardsSolid
Nominated for 2 Oscars.
- Box office & staying powerSolid
$2 million worldwide on a $439K budget; still draws a steady audience long after release
- Buzz & cultural impactSolid
About 67K people sought it out in the past year
Trailer
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Cast & crew
Directed by Lloyd Bacon
- Warner BaxterJulian Marsh
- Bebe DanielsDorothy Brock
- George BrentPat Denning
- Ruby KeelerPeggy
- Guy KibbeeAbner Dillon
- Una MerkelLorraine Fleming
- Ginger RogersAnn
- Ned SparksBarry
- Dick PowellBilly Lawler
- Allen JenkinsMac Elroy