ROSALIE (1937) Photo of mammoth production number with Eleanor Powell

[Los Angeles]: Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, [1937]. Vintage original 8 x 10″ (20 x 25 cm.) black-and-white glossy silver gelatin photo. Original attached paper publicity blurb explains the making of the musical production number. Ink stamped with production and still number. Minor wear at bottom margin, about fine.

The mammoth title number, written by Cole Porter, is one of movie musicals’ most extravagant production numbers. Dancer Eleanor Powell is at center standing on a drum. Though the soundstage was likely not 60 acres as the publicity states, it was large, and the number of 500 dancers and extras could be close. Powell’s movies, mostly backstage extravaganzas with little plot, established what became MGM which soon gave way to the modern construction of non-showbiz plot with songs which furthered the story.