Busby Berkeley (born Berkeley William Enos, 29th November 1895 – 14th March 1976)
CAMP: "A cornucopia of frivolity, incongruity, theatricality, and humour." "A deadly, winking, sniggering, snuggling, chromium-plated, scent-impregnated, luminous, quivering, giggling, fruit-flavored, mincing, ice-covered heap of mother love." "The lie that tells the truth." "Ostentatious, exaggerated, affected, theatrical; effeminate or homosexual; pertaining to or characteristic of homosexuals."
Oh, I love these complex, fantastical routines! They fascinated me as a child when watching these old films on rainy afternoons. The synchronised swimming ones were my favourites (possibly because that was something I could do - I was never very good at dancing).
ReplyDeleteThat final gif from 42nd Street's "I'm Young and Healthy" number reminds me of a platter of prawns and prawn vol-au-vents!
I wouldn't personally eat a prawn vol-au-vent that was nodding at me.
DeleteI adored these routines as a youngster, too - who wouldn't? Jx
I now crave the seafood buffet that I can no longer visit thanks to COVID.
DeleteHopefully it won't be too long before you can fiddle with your prawn again, Mistress. Jx
DeleteNow that is Camp !
ReplyDeleteAnd Art Deco Camp, too! It really couldn't be more perfect. Jx
DeleteFABU POST! HOW did he EVER pull these off, considering the technology of the day was not as advanced as now? PURE GENIUS!
ReplyDeletePerseverance and a hell of a lot of hard work - concepts largely lost on modern gimmick-strewn movies these days. Jx
DeleteAnd to think, Berkeley did it without computers.
ReplyDeleteIt's all the more magical when computers are not involved, methinks. Jx
DeleteWow, thanks for gathering these, Jon, they’re endlessly endlessly watchable! xoN
ReplyDeleteHypnotic, indeed. Jx
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