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A young dancer from small-town Pennsylvania arrives in New York City with dreams of Broadway stardom. When the leading lady of a new musical suffers an injury, this fresh-faced performer unexpectedly finds herself thrust into the spotlight. Navigating the challenges and excitement of show business, she must prove her talent while also finding love and discovering the true meaning of perseverance and dedication in the dazzling world of the stage.

A young dancer from small-town Pennsylvania arrives in New York City with dreams of Broadway stardom. When the leading lady of a new musical suffers an injury, this fresh-faced performer unexpectedly finds herself thrust into the spotlight. Navigating the challenges and excitement of show business, she must prove her talent while also finding love and discovering the true meaning of perseverance and dedication in the dazzling world of the stage.

Does 42nd Street have end credit scenes?

No!

42nd Street does not have end credit scenes. You can leave when the credits roll.

Meet the Full Cast and Actors of 42nd Street

Explore the complete cast of 42nd Street, including both lead and supporting actors. Learn who plays each character, discover their past roles and achievements, and find out what makes this ensemble cast stand out in the world of film and television.


Ratings and Reviews for 42nd Street

See how 42nd Street is rated across major platforms like IMDb, Metacritic, and TMDb. Compare audience scores and critic reviews to understand where 42nd Street stands among top-rated movies in its genre.


Metacritic

83

Metascore

6.0

User Score

TMDB

69

%

User Score

Take the Ultimate 42nd Street Movie Quiz

Challenge your knowledge of 42nd Street with this fun and interactive movie quiz. Test yourself on key plot points, iconic characters, hidden details, and memorable moments to see how well you really know the film.


42nd Street Quiz: Test your knowledge of the classic 1933 musical about ambition and perseverance during the Great Depression.

Who is the stage director struggling with financial problems?

Awards & Nominations for 42nd Street

Explore awards

Discover all the awards and nominations received by 42nd Street, from Oscars to film festival honors. Learn how 42nd Street and its cast and crew have been recognized by critics and the industry alike.


6th Academy Awards 1934

Nomination

Outstanding Production

Nomination

Sound Recording

Full Plot Summary and Ending Explained for 42nd Street

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Read the complete plot summary of 42nd Street, including all major events, twists, and the full ending explained in detail. Explore key characters, themes, hidden meanings, and everything you need to understand the story from beginning to end.


In New York City, during the challenging times of the Great Depression, stage director Julian Marsh finds himself in dire straits as his theater suffers from low attendance, leaving him completely broke. He eagerly seizes the chance to direct the musical comedy Pretty Lady, written by Jones and Barry. With his health seemingly failing—most likely due to cancer—Marsh hopes that the success of this show will secure his financial future for the remaining days of his life.

The auditions yield two standout performers for the leading roles: Dorothy Brock, chosen by the show’s producer, Abner Dillon, and Billy Lawler, a talented juvenile actor. Billy quickly develops a soft spot for the inexperienced Peggy Sawyer, a newcomer to major Broadway productions. He kindly helps Peggy to calm her nerves during the tryouts, as many of their fellow chorus members remain unfriendly towards her. However, Peggy finds support from chorines Anytime Ann and Lorraine Fleming, the girlfriend of choreographer Andy Lee, and all three women eventually secure spots in the chorus.

As rehearsals progress, Marsh uncovers a troubling situation: Dorothy is playing both sides, being romantically involved with her former partner, Pat Denning, while still tied to Abner. To prevent Abner from discovering the truth and pulling his financial backing, Marsh resorts to intimidation tactics against Pat. However, Pat decides to end things with Dorothy to focus on building his own career in Philadelphia.

After weeks of rehearsals, the company heads to Philadelphia to premiere the show. Dorothy, upon seeing Pat with Peggy, feels a pang of jealousy despite their innocent friendship. At a pre-opening party, Dorothy drinks too much and has a confrontation with Abner, which leads to him threatening to withdraw his support. To remedy the situation, Marsh negotiates a truce that hinges on Dorothy’s apology.

When Dorothy invites Pat over to her hotel room to discuss their relationship, she becomes unruly under the influence of alcohol. Peggy Sawyer, upon overhearing a conversation about Marsh’s plans to sideline Pat, rushes to inform him. During the commotion, Dorothy injures her ankle, jeopardizing her role as the leading lady right before the performance.

On opening day, Abner reveals a new lead, Anytime Ann, but she insists that only Peggy can truly carry the show. Surprised by Peggy’s growth, Marsh decides to give her the chance and works intensively with her on her acting, singing, and dancing skills.

Just before Peggy’s debut, she receives warm encouragement from both Billy and a now-convalescing Dorothy, who has resolved to marry Pat. Marsh gives Peggy a powerful pep talk, stating: > “Sawyer, you’re going out a youngster, but you’ve got to come back a star!”

The grand spectacle features lavish musical numbers, culminating in Peggy’s unforgettable performance of ‘42nd Street’. As the curtain falls on the play, an exhausted Julian Marsh finds a moment of respite seated on the theater’s back steps, listening to patrons mention, “Marsh will probably say he discovered her. Some guys get all the breaks.”

Uncover the Details: Timeline, Characters, Themes, and Beyond!

Watch Trailers, Clips & Behind-the-Scenes for 42nd Street

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Watch official trailers, exclusive clips, cast interviews, and behind-the-scenes footage from 42nd Street. Dive deeper into the making of the film, its standout moments, and key production insights.


42nd Street Trailer (1933)

42nd Street - Original Promotional Film

John Landis on 42ND STREET

‘42nd Street’ Play by Play with Dave Karger | TCM Musical Matinee

Cars Featured in 42nd Street

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Explore all cars featured in 42nd Street, including their makes, models, scenes they appear in, and their significance to the plot. A must-read for car enthusiasts and movie buffs alike.


Rolls-Royce

1930

New Phantom

Movie Themes and Keywords

Discover the central themes, ideas, and keywords that define the movie’s story, tone, and message. Analyze the film’s deeper meanings, genre influences, and recurring concepts.


chorus girlgreat depressionnew york citynational film registrybroadway theatretheater directortheaterdancegala premiererehearsalmanhattan new york citybroken ankleopening nightblockbusterpre code filmsugar daddydancerpennsylvanianew yorkbroadway musicalactressactorlovecatfightunderstudyheart diseasefamous linetheatrical producerphiladelphia pennsylvaniachorus line42nd street manhattan new york citytheatrical backerjealousyshow must go oncasting couchhoodsong in titlesingersingingdeceptiondamsel in distressslangcheesecakecasting directorrusegriefcinderella storydefiancebackstage musicalworkplace romance

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