In old Chicago 1937 - Hollywood's version of the 1871 Chicago fire

IMDB link: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0029047/?ref_=fn_al_tt_1
IMDB rating: 6,9

Director: Henry King
Main Cast: Tyrone Power, Alice Faye, Don Ameche, Alice Brady, Andy Devine, Brian Donlevy, Phyllis Brooks

"In Old Chicago was 20th Century-Fox's spin on MGM's San Francisco - a personal saga played out against the backdrop of a famous 19th Century disaster. We have Tyrone Power and Brian Donlevy here as the primary antagonists who, in this case, battle to the near-death of their city. The movie benefits considerably from opulent production values and a solid supporting performance from Alice Faye as a woman who is convincingly vivacious enough to turn the heads of several key male characters; and Alice Brady adding a memorable turn as the well-intended but ill-fated Mrs. O'Leary, mother of two of the protagonists. Don Ameche also gives a rich, rounded performance as Power's straightarrow brother, and Andy Devine adds some comic grace notes while Rondo Hatton - with some lines of dialogue, no less - is hanging about in the background adding menace to the proceedings. And even several decades later, it seems as though no expense was spared on the climactic fire (a masterwork of special effects courtesy of 20th Century-Fox's Fred Sersen) or the depiction of its aftermath, which is as impressive a screen spectacle as anything seen before Gone With the Wind's burning of Atlanta." - http://www.allmovie.com/movie/in-old-chicago-v96405/

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Three smart girls 1936 - Deanna's debut feature

Barbara Read, Deanna Durbin and Nan Grey

IMDB link: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0028373/?ref_=fn_al_tt_1
IMDB rating: 6,9

Director: Henry Koster
Main Cast: Barbara Read, Deanna Durbin, Nan Grey, Binnie Barnes, Charles Winninger, Alice Brady, Ray Milland

"A mere footnote to most modern day viewers, in her day Deanna Durbin was a tremendously popular star, whose appeal is often credited with pulling Universal out of a sea of red ink. Her debut feature, Three Smart Girls, established her as a cute, wholesome teen-ager who also happens to have a truly impressive operatic voice. Durbin was never an especially imposing actress, but rarely was she asked to be. Girls certainly doesn't tax her, but it does showcase her very engaging personality and presents a lightweight story that makes up in charm what it lacks in significance (or believability). Henry Koster directs in a fluid, easygoing style that makes the material seem simple rather than simplistic, and there's a genial air to the whole enterprise which is hard to resist. Durbin is in very good voice, with a marvelous 'My Heart is Singing' and a stunning 'Il Bacio'. She is well supported by Nan Grey and Barbara Read - they have a rapport makes them credible as sisters - and Charles Winninger, Alice Brady and Binnie Barnes are all in good form. A delightful film, Girls has aged much better than many other family-themed films from the same era." - http://www.allmovie.com/movie/three-smart-girls-v113605/

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Gold diggers of 1935 - A visual masterpiece

IMDB link: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0026421/?ref_=nv_sr_3
IMDB rating: 7,7

Director: Busby Berkeley
Main Cast: Dick Powell, Adolphe Menjou, Gloria Stuart, Alice Brady, Hugh Herbert, Glenda Farrell

"Gold Diggers of 1935 features outstanding musical numbers and dazzling choreography from director Busby Berkeley, not to mention some amusing moments with future Titanic star Gloria Stuart. The plot, such as it is, takes place at a rich resort hotel where a lowly desk clerk (Dick Powell) falls in love with Stuart's character, the daughter of a rich snob (Alice Brady). As was common in Depression-era escapist movies, the wealthy elite are depicted as elegant but insensitive, and true love wins out for the happy ending. Winifred Shaw's rendition of 'Lullaby of Broadway' gives the film its highlight, though all of the production numbers are strong. Gold Diggers is a primary example of Berkeley's work, both as a choreographer and as a director. Of particular note in the tech credits are Anton Grot's production design and George Barnes's crisp cinematography." - http://www.allmovie.com/movie/gold-diggers-of-1935-v20141/

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