Broadway Melody of 1940 (1940)

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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… More 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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Rating, Runtime: Unrated, 1 hr. 52 min.
Directed By: Norman Taurog
Written By: Leon Gordon, George Oppenheimer
Genres: Musical & Performing Arts, Classics

In Theaters: Feb 9, 1940 Wide
On DVD: Apr 22, 2003
Studio: MGM Home Entertainment

Critic Reviews

Sean Axmaker, Seanax.com
... another ridiculous story that justifies itself in the historic one-time-only pairing of MGM's Queen of Tap Powell and the cinematic grace incarnate Fred Astaire.

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Randy T

This just in: A crack team of research scientists have determined that it is physiologically impossible to have the blues and watch a Fred Astaire dance routine at the same time. :)

Cast

            Fred Astaire as Johnny Brett

            Eleanor Powell as Clara Bennett

            George Murphy as King Shaw

            Frank Morgan as Bob Casey

            Ian Hunter as Bert C. Matthews

            Florence Rice as Amy Blake

            Lynne Carver as Emmy Lou Lee

            Ann Morriss as Pearl

            Trixie Firschke as Juggler

            Douglas McPhail as Masked Singer

            Irving Bacon as Soda Jerk

            Herman Bing as Silhouettist

            Gladys Blake as Miss Martin

            George Chandler as Mr. Jones

            Chick Collins as Sailor

            Joseph Crehan as Ballroom Manager

            Carmen D'Antonio as Soprano

            Hal K. Dawson as O'Grady

            James Flavin as Ballroom Worker

            Jack Mulhall as George

            Libby Taylor as Angel

            E. Alyn Warren as Pop

            Joe Yule as Dan

            Barbara Jo Allen as Receptionist [uncredited]

            Mary Field as Bride

            William Tannen as Emmy Lou's Friend
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