Footlight Parade is a classic 1933 pre-Code musical that stars James Cagney as a Broadway producer of live stage prologues who must overcome industry espionage and tight deadlines to save his career. The film is celebrated for its spectacular, kaleidoscopic Busby Berkeley-choreographed production numbers, including "By a Waterfall" and "Shanghai Lil." It remains a landmark of the early 1930s musical genre, famous for its grand scale, fast pace, and energetic performances from Cagney, Joan Blonde

James Cagney Footlight Parade 1933 Shanghai Lil Full Scene Motion pictures may have put Broadway director Chester Kent (James Cagney) out of a job, but he quickly finds a second career producing musical sequences for the movies. Unfortunately, a cutthroat competitor keeps stealing his ideas. That cannot happen on his next commission, a rush job for a big-time theater chain. If his work impresses, it'll lead to an exclusive contract. Chester has only three days, but with the help of his smitten s