Dames (film)

Introduction

1934 film by Busby Berkeley, Ray Enright

Cast notes

Songwriter Sammy Fain, who contributed to the music used in the film, has a small role as Buttercup Balmer, a songwriter.Songwriter Sammy Fain, who contributed to the music used in the film, has a small role as Buttercup Balmer, a songwriter.

This character's name, along with Johnny Harris, came from two men who owned movie theatres in Pennsylvania this was done at the behest of producer Hal Wallis.This character's name, along with Johnny Harris, came from two men who owned movie theatres in Pennsylvania this was done at the behest of producer Hal Wallis.

By this time, after the success of 42nd Street, Footlight Parade and Gold Diggers of 1933, Berkeley had his own unit at Warners under his total control as supervised by producer Hal Wallis.By this time, after the success of 42nd Street, Footlight Parade and Gold Diggers of 1933, Berkeley had his own unit at Warners under his total control as supervised by producer Hal Wallis.

"The Girl at the Ironing Board" by Harry Warren (music) and Al Dubin (lyrics).

Joan Blondell was seven months pregnant at the time this number was filmed, and care had to be taken by her husband, cinematographer George Barnes, not to show her condition.Joan Blondell was seven months pregnant at the time this number was filmed, and care had to be taken by her husband, cinematographer George Barnes, not to show her condition.

Also, at one point in the number, a property man can be seen in the background, hanging up clotheslines.Also, at one point in the number, a property man can be seen in the background, hanging up clotheslines.

One of the effects of the Production Code on this film is a musical number that never made it to the screen.One of the effects of the Production Code on this film is a musical number that never made it to the screen.

Berkeley had planned one featuring Joan Blondell about a fight between a cat and a mouse that ended with Blondell inviting everyone to "come up and see my pussy sometime".Berkeley had planned one featuring Joan Blondell about a fight between a cat and a mouse that ended with Blondell inviting everyone to "come up and see my pussy sometime".

Producer Hal Wallis removed this number from the script before it even got to the censors of the Hays Office.Producer Hal Wallis removed this number from the script before it even got to the censors of the Hays Office.

Some early casting considerations had Ruth Donnelly playing Mathilda instead of ZaSu Pitts, and Hobart Cavanaugh as Ellsworthy Todd.Some early casting considerations had Ruth Donnelly playing Mathilda instead of ZaSu Pitts, and Hobart Cavanaugh as Ellsworthy Todd.

Dames began production at the Warner Bros. studios in Burbank, California on March 28, 1934.Dames began production at the Warner Bros. studios in Burbank, California on March 28, 1934.

Ray Enright completed the dramatic scenes in mid April of that year, and Busby Berkeley continued working on the musical numbers until July 3.Ray Enright completed the dramatic scenes in mid April of that year, and Busby Berkeley continued working on the musical numbers until July 3.

The film had its premiere on August 16, 1934 and went into general release on September 1 of that year.The film had its premiere on August 16, 1934 and went into general release on September 1 of that year.

Box office

According to Warner Bros., the film earned $1,057,000 in the U. S. and $456,000 in other markets.According to Warner Bros., the film earned $1,057,000 in the U. S. and $456,000 in other markets.