Footlight Parade (1933) review

With "talking pictures" becoming the rage in Hollywood, musical theatre director Chester Kent (James Cagney) realizes he has to adapt to the times, so he concocts a plan to stage live "prologues" (featuring dozens of dancers) but runs into problems: a competitor is stealing his ideas, his new romantic interest Vivian (Claire Dodd) wants his money, his wife Cynthia (Renee Whitney) is blackmailing him, his secretary Nan (Joan Blondell) is not-so-secretly in love with him and the producers are ripping him off.  Cagney, one of the greatest actors who ever lived, is expertly cast as the indefatigable Kent, and his presence is what single-handedly drives this somewhat frivolous Tinseltown-meets-Broadway foray: no matter what issue he faces, it's clear he'll find a way to keep going.  It all leads up to three elaborate Berkeley pieces - which includes lovely ladies forming snowflake-like patterns in a pool of water - and while they're a treat to watch, it's perplexing as to how any of them could be performed in front of an audience.  But that's show business, baby - it sometimes has a touch of the Surreal.