The Barkleys of Broadway (1949)
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60% of critics liked it
(10 reviews) -
74% of users liked it
(2,419 ratings)
The Barkleys of Broadway became Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers' "reunion" picture purely by accident. Originally conceived as a follow-up to the successful Astaire-Judy Garland vehicle Easter Parade, Barkleys was to have starred Fred and Judy as a successful musical comedy team that… More The Barkleys of Broadway became Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers' "reunion" picture purely by accident. Originally conceived as a follow-up to the successful Astaire-Judy Garland vehicle Easter Parade, Barkleys was to have starred Fred and Judy as a successful musical comedy team that breaks up when the female half decides to become a "serious" artist. Just before shooting started, Garland fell ill, Rogers replaced her, and the rest, as they say, is history. The script is as thin as a spider's web, a mere coat-rack upon which to hang several topnotch musical numbers. Fred and Ginger aren't quite as footloose and fancy-free as they were in their RKO heyday, but they still work together seamlessly. The film's highlights include "My One and Only Highland Fling," "You'd Be Hard to Replace," a reprise of "They Can't Take That Away From Me" (originally performed by Astaire and Rogers in Shall We Dance?), and Oscar Levant's keyboard rendition of "The Sabre Dance." The film's least memorable moment is the play-within-a-play wherein Rogers, cast as the young Sarah Bernhardt, passionately recites "The Marseillaise" as an audition piece! ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- Directed By
- Charles Walters
- Written By
- Betty Comden, Adolph Green
- Genres
- Romance, Musical & Performing Arts, Classics, Comedy
- In Theaters
- Jan 1, 1949 Wide
- Studio
- MGM Home Entertainment
Critic Reviews
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Don Druker, Chicago Reader
It isn't very witty - although it's supposed to be - and it isn't really satire, in the sense of Singin' in the Rain or The Band Wagon.
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Emanuel Levy, EmanuelLevy.Com
Though one of their weakest teaming, it's worth seeing this late (and last) Astaire-Rogers musical for historical reasons; Rogers replaced the ailing Judy Garland.
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Steve Crum, Video-Reviewmaster.com
Astaire and Rogers last teaming, and full of wit, music, dance, and comedy.
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Dennis Schwartz, Ozus' World Movie Reviews
It doesn't help that the music by Harry Warren and Ira Gershwin is slight.
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Rory L. Aronsky, Film Threat
This is a weak reteaming, unfortunately, and it's the screenplay by Betty Comden and Adolph Green which does that.
See more critic ratings and reviews on Rotten Tomatoes
Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)
Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)
Featured Audience Ratings
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Cast
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Fred Astaire
as John Barkley
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Ginger Rogers
as Dinah Barkley
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Oscar Levant
as Ezra Miller
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Billie Burke
as Mrs. Livingston Belney
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Gale Robbins
as Shirlene May
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Jacques François
as Jacques Barredout
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George Zucco
as The Judge
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Clinton Sundberg
as Bert Felsher
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Inez Cooper
as Pamela Driscoll
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Carol Brewster
as Gloria Amboy
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Wilson Wood
as Larry
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Jean Andren
as First Woman
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Louis Austin
as Guest in Theater Lobby
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Margaret Bert
as Mary the Maid
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Betty Blythe
as Guest in Theater Lobby
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George Boyce
as Photographer
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Claire Carleton
as Marie
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Hans Conried
as Ladislaus Ladi
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Mimi Doyle
as Actress
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Helen Eby-Rock
as Sarah's Aunt
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Mary Jo Ellis
as Clementine
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Frank Ferguson
as Mr. Perkins
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Bess Flowers
as Guest in Theater Lobby
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Sherry Hall
as Chauffeur
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Mahlon Hamilton
as Apartment Doorman
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Nolan Leary
as Stage Doorman
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Wilbur Mack
as Guest
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Joyce Mathews
as Genevieve
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Forbes Murray
as Guest in Theater Lobby
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Jack Rice
as Ticket Man
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Reginald Simpson
as Husband
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Esther Somers
as Sarah's Mother
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Larry Steers
as Guest
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Laura Treadwell
as Second Woman
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Dee Turnell
as Blonde
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Lillian West
as Guest
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Melinda Wood Allen
as Taxi Driver
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William Tannen
as Doorman at Theater
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John Albright
as Photographer
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Roger Moore
as First Man
