Great Depression Themes in 42nd Street :: essays research papers

Great Depression Themes in 42nd StreetSeen through a particular light and given specific occasions in the film, we stool see how 42nd Street echoes the general attitudes of the Great Depression. Particular characters in the film exemplify the blotto citizens of the time, the common laborer, and Julian Marsh (Warner Baxter) portrays a life-force, Franklin Roosevelt, bringing hope along with his New Deal.Throughout the film, there is a dichotomy exhibited through the members of the production and the financiers, namely Abner Dillon. He represents the side of free-enterprise(a) capitalism, while the actors stand for a community. The actors identify with each other because they argon all in the aforesaid(prenominal) pip and each need the joke to survive. Abner, on the other hand, has the money to throw around whimsically, for the difficulties facing the landed estate do not have the devastating effect on the wealthy that they have on other classes. Hard times have move on the nat ion and they realize that it will take a classify effort to pull themselves out of the Depression. While the competition is cut-throat and individualized score of the set, as we see with Dorothy Brachs arrangement with Abner Dillon, the sense of collectivity is emphasized on stage.Leading the march against the depression and maintaining the collective voice, is Julian Marsh. He throw out be equated with Franklin Roosevelt his flow ethic can be seen as a reflection of the New Deal. As Roosevelt gave hope, optimism, and unity to the nation Marsh gives the same to the cast members of 42nd Street. Marsh fights for the actors because he is in the same situation as them, not exclusive of it like Abner. He is in execrable health, and yet, he takes responsibility on seemingly, he cannot afford to pass up the job. He realizes that it is going to take a lot of hard work to make the display a success (end the depression) so he plant the actors night, day, and in-between. Marsh may seem like a slave driver, further this is because he knows that it is going to take an immense amount of work for the show to go on. A key scene in the film is when Abner is going to pull out of the production, but Julian pleads for him not to. Obviously, we see that Julian is looking out for the interests of the hundreds of workers who need the show, while Abner is merely concerned with his induce selfish desires.