Busby Berkeley Biopic and Play in the Works; DiCaprio or Jackman to Star?

(Original story by Patricia Gay for The Weston Forum.)

A biopic and stage play about the great American film director and choreographer Busby Berkeley is underway.

The rights to The Busby Berkeley Book, written by Tony Thomas and Jim Terry, have been secured by LionHawk productions, and Pamala Hall, its principal, is writing both a screenplay and stage play about Berkeley's life.

Speaking from her home in Weston, Connecticut, Hall, a fan of the old studio days of Hollywood, said she was very excited about the project. "I felt, as did Busby's friends and my friends, that it was time to remember Busby and all that he brought to us," she said.

Among the actors under consideration for the role of Berkeley are Leonardo DiCaprio and Hugh Jackman. "We're looking for someone special, who can sing, dance and act," Hall said.

Berkeley's works were uplifting to audiences during a time marked by war and financial depression. "I hope seeing Busby and the kind of magic he created will again uplift some hearts, and audiences will enjoy getting lost in the magic of those times again," Hall said.

Berkeley (born Nov. 29, 1895, died March 14, 1976), was a fan of showgirls and elaborate props. A highly influential Hollywood movie director and musical choreographer, his dance numbers were noted for their complex and visually stunning geometric patterns.

Berkeley's career spanned several decades. During the Great Depression, his films 42nd Street, Footlight Parade and Gold Diggers of 1933 were box office hits. In 1943, he choreographed the famous "Lady in the Tutti-Frutti Hat" number" featuring Carmen Miranda in The Gang's All Here.

His Broadway musicals include A Connecticut Yankee and The Wild Rose. In 1970, he supervised a successful revival of No, No Nanette, starring Ruby Keeler.

Berkeley had several well-publicized run-ins with film stars such as Judy Garland. In 1943, he was removed as director of Girl Crazy because of disagreements with Garland, although the lavish musical number "I Got Rhythm," which he directed, remained in the picture.

Berkeley had a turbulent private life. He was married six times and in 1938 was involved in an alienation of affections lawsuit. In 1935, he was the driver responsible for a car accident on the Pacific Coast Highway in Los Angeles in which two people were killed and five were seriously injured. But after two trials ended with hung juries, he was acquitted in a third trial. Periods of depression hauntEd Berkeley, including a failed suicide attempt.

For more about the Busby Berkeley film and stage projects, visit lionhawkproductions.com/film/busby-berkley.

Photo contributed by Jim Terry, co-author of The Busby Berkeley Book.