This movie as a famous one line description - the tale of a plucky understudy who has to go on when the star twists her ankle and is a fabulous success. Actually that doesn't happen towards the end, right before the climax. The actual driving force is the Depression, which has forced now-broke director Warner Baxter to come out of retirement and try to make a comeback. During the course of this he has to deal with investors (Guy Kibee) who insist their paramours be starred (Bebe Daniels), squabbling chorus people, his dodgy ticker, stage managers (George E. Stone) who ensure their girlfriend Una Merkel) is cast, the discovery his star Daniels is still seeing her past-it lover (George Brent) who then falls for a chorus girl (Ruby Keeler), even though she's desired by one of his juveniles (Dick Powell).
That's a lot of story, and it's consistently interesting, helped by the fact this was a Pre-Code work so all the sex can be emphasised. (The novel had a romance between Baxter and Powell's characters as well; I can understand why that couldn't fly at the time but it's a shame they didn't give Baxter a love interest). It's full of corruption, greed, wisecracks and self interest - with some unexpected sweetness in the love between Daniels and Brent, the relationship between Brent and Keeler (I forgot how much screen time this took up), the camaraderie between chorus girls (Ginger Rogers gets a chance for stardom but turns it down in order to help Keeler).
There are bizarrely no musical numbers until the last act - when we see the show and get three big ones in succession. (To be fair they are pretty terrific with lots of Busby Berkeley choreography.)
Despite the strong book and score, and zingy dialogue, some of the casting is weak - Keeler is a damp squib and never convincing for a moment as someone who could carry off a big musical. Brent and Daniels are bland too; I didn't mind Baxter. The supporting parts (Rogers, etc) are first rate. I'd love it if they made a film adaptation of the stage musical version.
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