footlight parade be fascinate on so many level . there be no way the supposedly staged theater prologue could have be produce in any theater on earth and of course . think of the huge pool and three story tall fountain for by a waterfall and for instance . ( berkeley direct john garfield in they make me a criminal six year later and have the dead end kid sing by a waterfall a they take their shower . ) shanghai lil be the best production number in the picture . it a catalog of 30 warner bros. sensibility . note the african guy mix into the scene with white and asian prostitute . you would never see black integrate into a social scene in other film of the period unless they be porter on a train or maid in a big house . here the black guy be sit at the bar and sing with the others . i also get a thrill when the military dancer do a card section presentation of roosevelt image . there also the nra eagle the logo of the controversial national recovery administration of the new deal . fdr be the new president and hope be so high that he would pull the nation out of the depression . you would never see something so working class orient come out of mgm and of course . warner bros. wholeheartedly support the uplift dictate by the f. d. r. administration . dear little miss ruby keeler be never good than she be play the chinese hooker and lil . she hardly even watch her foot a she dance and which be one of her signature flaw . the pre code stuff be fun . the by a waterfall number be wonderful in that regard . the girl change into their bathing suit on the crowd bus speed through time square with all it light on . the spread eagle girl swim over the camera provide the kind of crotch shot that would not be see for 35 year . in a few month the production code would eliminate such naughty pleasure .