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Broadway Melody of 1940 (1940)

Broadway Melody of 1940 (1940)
Member Rating:  
MGM's third follow-up to its landmark Broadway Melody is short on story, but that's okay, since the plot is merely a clothesline upon which to hang sleek and opulent musical production numbers by Fred Astaire and Eleanor Powell -- particularly a breathless and eye-popping gloriously black-and-white six-minute tap dance finale between Astaire and Powell to Cole Porter's "Begin the Beguine." The tale itself is a typical backstage contrivance: Johnny Brett (Fred Astaire) and King Shaw (George Murphy) are a couple of hoofers working in a dance hall for peanuts. Due to mistaken identity, King gets tapped for the lead in a Broadway show opposite big star Clare Bennett (Eleanor Powell) rather than Johnny. But when King drowns his trouble in booze on opening night, Johnny covers for him, taking his place in the show. ~ Paul Brenner, Rovi

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Starring:
Fred Astaire, Eleanor Powell, (more)
Director(s):
Norman Taurog
Format(s):
DVD
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Synopsis of Broadway Melody of 1940

MGM's third follow-up to its landmark Broadway Melody is short on story, but that's okay, since the plot is merely a clothesline upon which to hang sleek and opulent musical production numbers by Fred Astaire and Eleanor Powell -- particularly a breathless and eye-popping gloriously black-and-white six-minute tap dance finale between Astaire and Powell to Cole Porter's "Begin the Beguine." The tale itself is a typical backstage contrivance: Johnny Brett (Fred Astaire) and King Shaw (George Murphy) are a couple of hoofers working in a dance hall for peanuts. Due to mistaken identity, King gets tapped for the lead in a Broadway show opposite big star Clare Bennett (Eleanor Powell) rather than Johnny. But when King drowns his trouble in booze on opening night, Johnny covers for him, taking his place in the show. ~ Paul Brenner, Rovi

Theatrical Feature Running Time:
102 mins

Complete Cast of Broadway Melody of 1940


Director(s):
Norman Taurog
Writer(s):
Leon Gordon, Sid Silvers, Walter de Leon
Producer(s):
Jack Cummings
Categories:
Music & Performing Arts
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    Grace and Howard G.

    Legend has it that in the early 1930s, a talent scout for MGM wrote of Astaire: "Can't sing, can't act, dances a little." By the time this movie was produced, that agent had probably moved on to a more fitting profession...like mortuary service. This movie should be seen by everybody who ever enjoyed a classic musical. The grand finale with Astaire and Powell, the two top tap dancers of their time bar none, is easy to watch again and again. The story is funny and entertaining, too, sprinkled with hilarious novelty acts.

    Yes   |   No

     
    Benjamin S.

    If anyone ever doubted that Fred Astaire was a dance genius then the last six minutes of this movie will dispel all doubts. It's simply breathaking. I was on the edge of my seat watching how he made complex patterns and rhythms look so easy. I replayed it again and again fascinated with his flawless execution of each step and routine.He had a unique and glorious talent that just can not be duplicated except perhaps in animation these days. We will never see the likes of this again. Eleanor Powell was no slouch either, but Astaire was demonstrably lighter on his toes than Eleanor and seemed as if he was elevated ever so slightly above the dance floor. It was magical.

    Yes   |   No

     
    Tamara S.

    Superb dancing from both stars. The storyline is weak but the dancing overcomes that. Great entertainment

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