Busby Berkeley

As they must have done in the 1930's depression a good blast of some Busby Berkeley have momentarily distracted from financial worries. I know these numbers so well and watch the mechanics with a forensic eye - what, for example, distracted Ruby Keeler just before the train opens in Shuffle off to Buffalo? Did she prematurely think it was a 'cut'. What happened to one of the water dancers in 'By a Waterfall' that she suddenly went the wrong way? So many details I love looking out for. Tonight I watched the title number of 42nd street, and love the moment the floor Ruby has been tapping on is suddenly, outrageously, the roof a taxi. Continuity and literal logic thrown out of the window for sheer fluid theatricality. but we all loved the staircase in the stage show - have a look at the moment when the dancers in the dotted dresses dance into the street - on the floor are two tracks that they are mindful of - these tracks allow the monumental staircase to slide forward that they all dance up, clutching the cutouts of the buildings. The staircase had been hidden by the painted cloth that rolls up allowing it to move forward. Shame the camera move is so jerky, but it's an impressive moment. So many dazzling numbers, and all of them apparently happening on stage. I'd love to write a book or make a film about the making of these numbers - and BB was certainly an interesting gent with many secrets. For all the frivolous moments, numbers like Remember My Forgotten Man still hit home. and no-one has quite been able to afford the overhead shots with the number of dancers he had. and the men under the dancing pianos, the Lullaby of Broadway leathers, Ginger Rogers dressed in nothing but coins and that brave close up, the silhouettes in Pettin' in the Park - all so sexual and crazy, but a good distraction, and amazing cinema.