This is one of the best of best! If I had to choose between Shanghai Lil & The I Only have Eyes for You, from Dames, it would be very hard. Buzz Berkely just outdid himself time and again. How wonderful to catch his work on U-Tube, thanks for putting this up & getting the discussion going. While Ruby Keeler was not Eleanor Powell, that dance she did w/those shoes was not a done using a "stunt"!
Brilliant number for all kinds of reasons. Shanghai Lil is a classic. EVERY person (and there are a lot of them) onscreen is in top form. Probably the most charming dancing duet Keeler ever did--you can tell she really was tickled dancing with Cagney on the bar. All this and hooray for FDR too! Fantastic.
Footlight Parade is my favorite of the Busby Berkely films, and this dance sequence in particular is my the one I like best. Jimmy Cagney was so light on his feet - what a dancer. He moved like a cat. I love watching him dance with Ruby Keeler here.
In another year or so, this entire sequence would never have been made, let alone put out in a film. The Hayes Code would never have approved it - glamourous ladies in an opium den, "ladies of the evening" at the bar, etc - it all would have been censored. I'm grateful for the Pre Code films we have, but I really wish The Hayes Code had neve existed. This is one of my fave of all the many wonderful Berkeley films, and Cagney is wonderful. Happy Birthday today to Ruby Keeler - such loveliness.
Who could have guessed that James Cagney had such a rich, deep singing voice? Quite different to his speaking voice! I'd heard him sing in 'Yankee Doodle Dandy', but it was much more in anticipation of Rex Harrison's Prof. Higgins half-talk/half-singing than here. What a revelation! Yes, Ruby Keeler is a bit of a hoot as 'Shanghai Lil' (especially given the context of Marlene Dietrich's femme fatale in the von Sternberg film 2 years prior), but it is quite daring! Thanks so much for posting it!
Jim was a wonderful singer. This is one of my favorite movies. I recorded it on my DVR and I haven't deleted it because this movie is so rare to find. :)
thank you for sharing this. the is some mixed kettle of fish. from shaghai lil who I don't think was chinese to an opium den and on to FDR and the NRA all in one movie.
It was a bit of an intentional joke when, after the song sets up an image of some exotic Asian temptress, all-American Ruby Keeler pops out of the trunk -- in very obvious oriental makeup and doing a Chinese-pidgin accent.
Just in case there's any confusion among younger viewers, the NRA referred to here is the National Recovery Administration established by President Roosevelt -- not the National Rifle Association!
probably had something underneath, so that they could. and it was hidden by the sailors making it look as though ruby and jim were dancing on them. the things they can do in films. haha.
James Cagney. One of the reatest actors ever. The original Shanghai Lil was Marlene Dietrich in Shanghai Express a movie made in 1932 and I'm sure this was the inspiration for his number. Also in that movie was Anna May Wong. The greatest tapdancer was Eleanor Powell. Check Her out in YouTube.
Is it me, or is this a particularly sleazy little number? You have the whole line, then he goes into a frickin' OPIUM DEN with hot blonde's doing hash and lazin' around waiting for Johns...I mean jeez! I almost can't believe this made it past the censors of the time. I mean, this one has it all- drugs, debauchery, prostitution, drunkenness, stamp collecting...
"Footlight Parade" is from 1933, and the Hays Code effective only from 1934. The period 1930-34 is known to have been an especially provocative one, with a violence (etc.) you'll never see again in Hollywood movies before the late 60's.
But you're right, this is a very strong number, which shows a lot of what was real life during the Great Depression.
has anyone noticed that at the end when he finds her in the barrel that he winks at someone off set real quick? it totally steals the scene. be quick or you'll miss it. check the costumes they are so revealing.
Katie, I always felt it was an "in character" gesture rather than meant as an off set gesture(for one thing Busby would EVER allow that)--that the sailor(Cagney)is winking at his buddies while Lil is going through her weak excuses as to where she's been--a sort of "aw, isn't she cute-the little dickens!?" from Bill. What it DOES do is frankly steal the scene filmicly from Ruby! But wth-it's entertaining.
This is such an incredible tour de force - a great song, amazing military formations, a brawl, tap-dancing and even a flip-movie! It's also a remarkable historical document of the Pacific about to explode in world war...
The MPAA's Production Code was actually written in 1930, but enforcement was lax until about midway through 1934. So-called "pre-Code" films could get away with all sorts of sexual innuendos, racy plotlines, and mature subject matter that wouldn't be permitted just a couple of years later.
This is one of the best of best! If I had to choose between Shanghai Lil & The I Only have Eyes for You, from Dames, it would be very hard. Buzz Berkely just outdid himself time and again. How wonderful to catch his work on U-Tube, thanks for putting this up & getting the discussion going. While Ruby Keeler was not Eleanor Powell, that dance she did w/those shoes was not a done using a "stunt"!
frosty7530 3 years ago
Isn't John Garfield supposed to be in this scene somewhere?
MrMidwest 3 years ago
Did anyone notice that at 3:36, the kids from "Angels With Dirty Faces" (Leo Gorcey, Huntz Hall, etc.) make super-brief appearances?
a07002 3 years ago
That's not Huntz Hall or Leo Gorcey. They were only 14 years old when this movie was made, the sailors in the clip are much older.
aldiboronti 3 years ago
this is a very ... the story.
morganitey 3 years ago
Brilliant number for all kinds of reasons. Shanghai Lil is a classic. EVERY person (and there are a lot of them) onscreen is in top form. Probably the most charming dancing duet Keeler ever did--you can tell she really was tickled dancing with Cagney on the bar. All this and hooray for FDR too! Fantastic.
blackwingy 3 years ago
This is THE Busby Berkley number (for me)!
multiph 3 years ago 5
Footlight Parade is my favorite of the Busby Berkely films, and this dance sequence in particular is my the one I like best. Jimmy Cagney was so light on his feet - what a dancer. He moved like a cat. I love watching him dance with Ruby Keeler here.
jazz0685 3 years ago 2
In another year or so, this entire sequence would never have been made, let alone put out in a film. The Hayes Code would never have approved it - glamourous ladies in an opium den, "ladies of the evening" at the bar, etc - it all would have been censored. I'm grateful for the Pre Code films we have, but I really wish The Hayes Code had neve existed. This is one of my fave of all the many wonderful Berkeley films, and Cagney is wonderful. Happy Birthday today to Ruby Keeler - such loveliness.
mothgirlwings 3 years ago 5
amazing
starlochka 3 years ago
Who could have guessed that James Cagney had such a rich, deep singing voice? Quite different to his speaking voice! I'd heard him sing in 'Yankee Doodle Dandy', but it was much more in anticipation of Rex Harrison's Prof. Higgins half-talk/half-singing than here. What a revelation! Yes, Ruby Keeler is a bit of a hoot as 'Shanghai Lil' (especially given the context of Marlene Dietrich's femme fatale in the von Sternberg film 2 years prior), but it is quite daring! Thanks so much for posting it!
sverigregrabb 3 years ago
He was like a triple threat: sing, dance, act
ziegfeldgrl 3 years ago
anyone spot a young john garfield.Classic stuff.Don`t make em like this anymore.
gazonenine 3 years ago
john garfield's not in this, his daughter made it quite clear on that.
starrbeatlesqueen 3 years ago
THAT'S entertainment!
jonahbegone 3 years ago
I love this movie. Such a classic. Jim Cagney was such a great dancer.
starrbeatlesqueen 3 years ago
Magnifique. Shangai Lil ne fit pas un mariage blanc. C'est une pièce rare. Sacré Berkeley.
dessinsjlr 3 years ago
They don't make them like this anymore!
OpiumMuseum 3 years ago
Jim was a wonderful singer. This is one of my favorite movies. I recorded it on my DVR and I haven't deleted it because this movie is so rare to find. :)
starrbeatlesqueen 3 years ago
Ruby Keeler was a great tap dancer !
leeinvegas 3 years ago
A true classic!
Tenderness6 3 years ago 2
I guess that Shanghai Little is played here by Joan Blondell. Great stuff. Thanks Busby Berkely
Tenderness6 3 years ago
umm no..."Shanghai Lil" is played by Ruby Keebler who portrays Bea Thorn in Footlight Parade.
starrbeatlesqueen 3 years ago
It's Ruby Keeler -- and it's "Shanghai Lil," short for Lily, not "li'l," a contraction of "little," as in Li'l Abner.
scotpens 3 years ago
o mi god
I love Footlight Parade
this is one of the best scenes of the movie
this is one of my fav movies
James Cagney is a great actor
galethio 3 years ago
a great classic..
joewilli1961 3 years ago
Have you noticed that some of the soldiers drop their rifles?
KatiePickering 3 years ago
The pre-code movies were amazing. Fantastic scene. Thanks!!
Lavender1251 3 years ago
Cagney (energetic, like someone's pet terrier) had that wonderful marionette style! A true hoofer, artist, and genuine human being.
saxondog2001 4 years ago
thank you for sharing this. the is some mixed kettle of fish. from shaghai lil who I don't think was chinese to an opium den and on to FDR and the NRA all in one movie.
rdittmer1717 4 years ago
It was a bit of an intentional joke when, after the song sets up an image of some exotic Asian temptress, all-American Ruby Keeler pops out of the trunk -- in very obvious oriental makeup and doing a Chinese-pidgin accent.
Just in case there's any confusion among younger viewers, the NRA referred to here is the National Recovery Administration established by President Roosevelt -- not the National Rifle Association!
scotpens 3 years ago 2
wait how did they get to that table from the bar.....
that shanghai lil is magical
SYDancer 4 years ago
probably had something underneath, so that they could. and it was hidden by the sailors making it look as though ruby and jim were dancing on them. the things they can do in films. haha.
starrbeatlesqueen 3 years ago
James Cagney. One of the reatest actors ever. The original Shanghai Lil was Marlene Dietrich in Shanghai Express a movie made in 1932 and I'm sure this was the inspiration for his number. Also in that movie was Anna May Wong. The greatest tapdancer was Eleanor Powell. Check Her out in YouTube.
Georgewos 4 years ago
Is it me, or is this a particularly sleazy little number? You have the whole line, then he goes into a frickin' OPIUM DEN with hot blonde's doing hash and lazin' around waiting for Johns...I mean jeez! I almost can't believe this made it past the censors of the time. I mean, this one has it all- drugs, debauchery, prostitution, drunkenness, stamp collecting...
mencken 4 years ago
"Footlight Parade" is from 1933, and the Hays Code effective only from 1934. The period 1930-34 is known to have been an especially provocative one, with a violence (etc.) you'll never see again in Hollywood movies before the late 60's.
But you're right, this is a very strong number, which shows a lot of what was real life during the Great Depression.
Simply wonderful !
lenin2jardin 4 years ago
Surprisingly grown-up. You're absolutely right. The images were perfectly set-up.
saxondog2001 3 years ago
thank you so much
peterbyrd51 4 years ago
Oh Jimmy boy! What a fantastic sequence! I wish so badly I could have been Ruby! ♥ &eharts; ♥ ♥
LadyTwenties 4 years ago
has anyone noticed that at the end when he finds her in the barrel that he winks at someone off set real quick? it totally steals the scene. be quick or you'll miss it. check the costumes they are so revealing.
KatiePickering 4 years ago
Katie, I always felt it was an "in character" gesture rather than meant as an off set gesture(for one thing Busby would EVER allow that)--that the sailor(Cagney)is winking at his buddies while Lil is going through her weak excuses as to where she's been--a sort of "aw, isn't she cute-the little dickens!?" from Bill. What it DOES do is frankly steal the scene filmicly from Ruby! But wth-it's entertaining.
blackwingy 3 years ago
People tend to forget what a great dancer James Cagney was as simply see him as a gangster actor. Ruby Keeler was also fantastic.
diomanUK 4 years ago 4
oh, how i wish it was the old days again. tap dancing, great stars, what could be better?
starrbeatlesqueen 4 years ago 2
many thanks for posting
arctic300 4 years ago
Many thanks for posting!
arctic300 4 years ago
Awesome number. Thanks for posting it. Unfortunately this is in the same movie as "Honeymoon Hotel", which is endless torture! :-D
shyboynyc 4 years ago
PS: I said earlier that this number was cut from the movie for awhile, but it may have just been partially edited down.
shyboynyc 4 years ago
the movie is "Footlight Parade" with lots of busbee berkley dance extravaganzas.
d
aawalsh 4 years ago
What is the name of this movie, or is it really shangai lil, as the song?
Great movie!
Patrick
patriximard 4 years ago
Check out the very well done parody version from UK TV with Michael Ball and Lily Savage -- it's in the related videos
sah10406 4 years ago
This is such an incredible tour de force - a great song, amazing military formations, a brawl, tap-dancing and even a flip-movie! It's also a remarkable historical document of the Pacific about to explode in world war...
larrimom 4 years ago 2
Thank you thank you thank you! I've been waiting for someone to upload this one!
SalaireDeLaPeur 4 years ago
How did this one make it past the censors? Race mixing, drug use, prostitution.
Boy, are we lucky the "Legion Of Decency" was off sick that day!
chas63 4 years ago 2
Simple: There were no censors at this time. The Hayes Code wasn't in effect yet!
unrelatedwaffle 4 years ago
The MPAA's Production Code was actually written in 1930, but enforcement was lax until about midway through 1934. So-called "pre-Code" films could get away with all sorts of sexual innuendos, racy plotlines, and mature subject matter that wouldn't be permitted just a couple of years later.
scotpens 3 years ago
Actually, this number was cut from the movie and was unavailable for years. The opium den was just too much!
shyboynyc 4 years ago
This is my favourite number from Footlight Parade :) does anyone happen to have the song or any of the others from that film as an mp3? Please?
natmermaid 4 years ago
I am in LOVEEEE with this song and movie!!! :)
13cristin13 4 years ago
i've been after this for donkeys! thanks!!!
LeePrice86 4 years ago