Romantic singing lead of Warner Bros. musicals of the 1930s who brought his ringing tenor and his cherubic, boyish looks to such Busby Berkeley-choreographed extravaganzas as "42nd Street", "Footlight Parade" (both 1933) and "Dames" (1934), forming a popular romantic team opposite Ruby Keeler. Powell later moved into straight comedies such as Preston Sturges' witty and charming "Christmas in July" (1940) and had a few lean career years before becoming a key interpreter of tough-guy film noir roles in the mid-40s. Powell's definitive "hard-boiled" role was as Raymond Chandler's private eye
Established as star with his appearance in the Busby Berkeley musicals, "42nd Street", "Golddiggers of 1933" and "Footlight Parade" at Warner Brothers, all of which teamed him with Ruby Keeler
1933
First film Powell made which also featured future wife Joan Blondell, "Golddiggers of 1933", in which their characters were not romantically teamed; was first of ten films the two would act in together
1935
Made exhibitors annual poll of top ten boxoffice stars two years in a row, placing 7th and 6th, respectively
1936
Last of seven films made opposite Ruby Keeler, "Colleen"
