Footlight Parade - 1933

John Garfield is often credited as being an extra in this film, five years before signing a Hollywood contract with Warner Brothers, but researchers are in dispute over whether it is actually Garfield in the shot, which lasts 5/6 of one second onscreen.

In a documentary, The John Garfield Story (2003) (TV), actress Julie Garfield denied that her father, John Garfield, is the sailor-extra he is often credited with being in the "Shanghai Lil" production number. Whoever the extra is, he's a dead ringer for Mr. Garfield.

The film that Guy Kibbee and Arthur Hohl takes James Cagney to see is The Telegraph Trail (1933).

This film was selected to the National Film Registry, Library of Congress, in 1992.

The actress who successfully auditions in the "Ah the Moon is Here" number is Gracie Barrie. She is not credited but a 1933 press release identifies her.

Dorothy Lamour's first film.

Cast of Footlight Parade

James Cagney as Chester Kent, creator of musical prologues
Joan Blondell as Nan Prescott, his secretary
Ruby Keeler as Bea Thorn, dancer turned secretary turned dancer
Dick Powell as Scott 'Scotty' Blair, juvenile lead, former protege of Mrs. Gould
Frank McHugh as Francis, dance director
Ruth Donnelly as Harriet Bowers Gould, the producer's nepotistic wife
Guy Kibbee as Silas 'Si' Gould, producer
Hugh Herbert as Charlie Bowers, Mrs. Gould's brother, the censor
Claire Dodd as Vivian Rich, Nan's friend, a gold digger
Gordon Westcott as Harry Thompson, Kent's assistant
Arthur Hohl as Al Frazer, the other producer
Renee Whitney as Cynthia Kent, Kent's ex-wife
Barbara Rogers as Gracie, a dancer
Paul Porcasi as George Apolinaris, owner of a chain of movie theaters
Philip Faversham as Joe Barrington, juvenile lead, protege of Mrs. Gould
Herman Bing as Fralick, the music director
Billy Barty as Mouse and Little Boy
Hobart Cavanaugh as Title-Thinkerupper