Roman Scandals

Never in my life would I have thought I'd like to watch this. For no reason I'd assumed he'd be some irritating 1920s comic whom I'd hate. How wrong was I?

Roman Scandals is a fabulous, fun Busby Berkeley movie. It's got the same look as the more well-known Busby Berkeley Warner Brothers musicals such as 42nd Street. It's even got the same songwriters, Al Dubin and Harry Warren so it even sounds the same.

Because this is from Sam Goldwyn, it's actually visually superior to its WB contemporaries: bigger budget, better quality film, Gregg Tolland on camera, top class writers ....and time. Unlike over at Warners, at Goldwyn's studio they didn't have the infamous time restraints so could take as long as needed to get things just right. The result is spectacular but above all, great fun.

Spectacular is also the best way to describe the Busby Berkeley numbers. They're not quite Gold diggers of 1933 standard yet - but pretty close. The showstopper is the mind-blowing slave market number featuring dozens of gorgeous naked girls with nothing more than long blonde wigs just about covering their modesty. Although this is obviously one of Mr Berkeley's sexual fantasies it's actually quite tasteful. What really makes this so impressive isn't just the naked ladies, like his Broadway Melody, this has depth, it has an insidious darkness to it which, when it strikes you is both genuinely shocking and disturbing. The infectious optimism, the feel-good mood is however immediately and seamlessly restored after that scene thanks to excellent writing and direction. Even though you might not notice because it's so utterly silly, this film has quite a lot depth that makes you think.

Finally to Eddie Cantor. I can't believe it's taken all these years to discover him. He is genuinely funny and instantly likeable. More Marx Brothers than Laurel and Hardy but with a kind and gentle touch. You will instantly warm to him and if you like those early thirties Warner musicals, you should like this - plus there's no Ruby Keeler!