The title tune remains memorable (as does the parting shot), but this pioneering product-of-its-time no longer possesses much filmic power.

| Original Score: 3/10 | Mar 17, 2025

A masterpiece, not merely for its racy dialogue and lavish costumes, or for its now-classic "newcomer goes on instead of indisposed star" plot, but also for affording kaleidoscope choreographer Busby Berkeley a chance to show off in such superb numbers.

| Original Score: 5/5 | Jul 9, 2024

Modern musicals start here, and Busby Berkeley's genius bursts into full flower.

| Apr 14, 2020

Oddly enough, in 42nd Street, Warner Baxter is a rather convincing stage director, Bebe Daniels has a surprisingly good voice and a fair sense of comedy, and the dancing and song routines are introduced with some imagination.

| Jun 5, 2019

Film benefits from great musical numbers and its portrait of the show's director, one of the few well-developed gay characters in a 1930's Hollywood film.

| Nov 30, 2015

The careful building of the eye-level proscenium that's exploded by swooping cinematic music

| Sep 2, 2012

A deliciously funny musical; racy and light years ahead of its time.

| Original Score: 4/5 | Jun 17, 2009

This 1933 film is the best known of the Warner Brothers Depression-era musicals, though it doesn't compare in dash and extravagance to later entries in the cycle.

| Oct 16, 2007

The liveliest and one of the most tuneful screen musical comedies that has come out of Hollywood.

| Original Score: 4.5/5 | Aug 8, 2006

Of Golden Age musicals, 42nd Street is about as close to the archetype as they come.

Full Review | Original Score: 4/5 | Apr 8, 2006

...the film that practically invented every backstage musical clich we know today...remains a remarkable achievement for a film over seven decades old.

| Original Score: 7/10 | Mar 22, 2006

Berkeley choreographs chorines and camera with mischievous dexterity.

| Jan 26, 2006

42nd Street may not be the best backstage musical ever made, but it's certainly the most enjoyable and durable in appeal--find out why.

| Original Score: A | Aug 26, 2005

Full Review | Original Score: 3/5 | Feb 24, 2005

The strength of a musical is its songs, and this film had a mixed bag.

| Original Score: 3.5/5 | Feb 15, 2004

One can't say enough good things about what Busby Berkeley did for the musical.

| Original Score: B | Jan 11, 2004

Full Review | Original Score: 4/5 | Aug 22, 2003

Full Review | Original Score: 4/5 | May 30, 2003

The result is an absolute spectacular. Not to be missed.

| Original Score: 5/5 | Apr 21, 2003

Busby Berkeley's astonishing choreography is singularly cinematic and still astonishing.

Full Review | Original Score: 5/5 | Apr 11, 2003