Broadway Melody of 1940

 

 

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I love these old movies. My dad had told me about them when I was a small child, and looking at them today I can see why he & myself enjoy these musicals so much.
Fred Astaire & Eleanor Powell are tops in my book. To bad they didn't didn't make more movies at that time.

The last of the Broadway Melody's to be filmed,this 1940 edition ended the franchise in grand style.On hand to propel the proceedings along were George Murphy MGM's talented contract singer/actor/dancer,the top female tap dancer of her time Eleanor Powell and of course the legend himself Mr.Fred Astaire.Assisting most ably also were the talents of Lynne Carver,Ian Hunter,Florence Rice and especially Astaire's old friend and superb talent from the stage and screen Frank Morgan.Frank appeared with Fred and his sister Adele in Adele's last stage show back in 1931 in "The Band Wagon".Modern audiences of course will know Frank better as the Wizard of Oz(1939).
The story involves a couple of song and dance men Brett and Shaw(Astaire and Murphy) eking out a living doing escort service for new brides and a dancing act for the floor show,hoping for their big break.One day a rich businessman Mr.Casey(Morgan)happens to catch the act and offers Brett a job in a show he's backing.But unbeknownst to Casey,Brett pretends he is Shaw thinking Casey is another bill collector.This mix up causes Brett to lose out on a chance to get a leading role with the lady who is starring in a big production(and whom he adores)Clare Bennett(Powell).Shaw reluctantly takes the solo job but Brett backs his pal all the way.Shaw is at first over excited about his new position;the night life and publicity and he gets feelings for Clare.However the feelings aren't reciprocated and Shaw gets a little disillusioned and starts missing rehearsals and slacking off.Mr Casey eventually finds Brett and both have a heart to heart about the mix up that has occurred and what can be done to rectify it.Brett is adamant that things remain status quo and Casey reluctantly agrees but promises to get him working at the next available opportunity.He doesn't have to wait long as the big premiere arrives and Shaw is drunk.Brett fills in for him in the first act which allows time for Shaw to get sober and go on to finish the show.By this time Clare has figured out what Brett has been doing all along for Shaw and confronts Shaw about it.Shaw finally gets it too and deliberately acts drunk so his pal can finally get the job,the job he should have had to begin with.The film fades out with the three of them on stage for the finale.
This film has so many great moments in it it is hard to know where to begin or if I can do justice to them.For one,the three main stars all get time together and solo to shine and they take full advantage of it.Murphy was one talented individual and no slouch when it came to hoofing.He may not have quite been in the same league with Astaire or Powell but he was way beyond competent when it came to keeping up to these great costars.MGM couldn't have picked a better man for the job.Then there is Eleanor.What can one say about this fantastic talent? Hoofer extraordinaire,she was the most technically proficient dancer that Astaire ever had the pleasure of working beside and it shows in spades.The two of them are just a double dynamo of energy flying out in every direction.Usually Astaire or Powell in previous efforts exhibited this energy by themselves but putting them together produced a moment like no other,before or since.Powell was not only a tap dancing whirlwind,she could also go onto ballet points and was so supple she could do a back bend to the floor like it was the easiest thing in the world.Besides all that Powell had that girl next door quality with a very pleasing and disarming smile which of course made for great box office.Of course Astaire was a stickler for rehearsing,rehearsing and more rehearsing and this film was no different,but the results achieved on screen cannot be disputed.They both made it look so easy because their hard work paid off.The secret to any success in any profession.And speaking of Fred Astaire,what can one say about the master himself?Watching the two together you see that neither Powell nor Fred is attempting to outdo or blend with one another but instead they retain their own personas while complimenting each other.Astaire I think still has that little something over Powell,whether it is his flowing hand gestures,body flow or his gentle smile.And watch Fred dance solo in the "I've got my Eyes on You" number.Typically Fred would throw in something,more often than not,that would add a little "wow" factor to his routines;as if just his dancing alone wouldn't be sufficient.Here as he dances on an "empty" stage(Powell is off watching in the wings)he comes near an awning.He throws a small round powder puff of Clare's onto the awning mid song,it rolls up and comes back down and lands into Fred's hand as he twirls into position to catch it;and right on the beat.It is absolutely stunning but typical of the master.
Technically this film has been transferred well.The snap case cover of the DVD says it is a new digital transfer.Well,it may be new for 2003 but the film could do with a little more work as it does exhibit its age quite a bit at times;with dirt and scratching.The film though is quite crisp and the contrast is more than adequate.Extras on this disc include a featurette,the trailer,some production notes and the Our Gang one reeler short "The Big Premiere".
All in all this film is a definite must have for all fans of Powell and Astaire or any lover of good musicals.The film has it all,great dancing and singing from its three mains(Eleanor actually sings herself),a wonderful supporting cast,great musical numbers by Cole Porter and a decent and flowing plot to hang everything onto.It is a another of the "They don't make them like this anymore" films;and believe me they don't come along like this very often.Oh yes I should mention,there are also a couple of eccentric acts thrown into the mix like the previous Broadway Melodies such as an over the top singer and pianist and an acrobatic lady who juggles a ball,with Astaire as her reluctant helper.
Think Powell-Astaire....nothing could be finer!

Anyone curious about Eleanor Powell must see this incredible film. Eleanor is truly a forgotten gem - she receives too little recognition today in pop culture - for anyone so talented deserves eternal praise.
Fred Astaire is great in the film, as everyone knows, however it is obvious he has met his match with Powell - Astaire is a wonderful dancer, but Eleanor is a better tap dancer, pure and simple. The numbers together display Astaire working his hardest, while it proves absolutely effortless to the equally independent Powell.
A fantastic film! We will never see such talent again.

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5.0 out of 5 stars The only teaming of the King and Queen of Tap!
One of the last, big B&W musical extravaganzas, BROADWAY MELODY OF 1940 is a joy from start to finish. Read more

Published on May 1 2004

4.0 out of 5 stars Underappreciated
The art direction in this movie is incredible. It is one of the ultimate "New York as nightlife fantasyland" films (like the 1936 Melody, and Astaire's own "Swing... Read more

Published on Dec 22 2003 by Usonian33

5.0 out of 5 stars if you have a tapper at home; don't miss this movie
Right after watching this, my wife and I called our (now) 14 yo dancer in to see it. She in turn had her dance buddies watch it the next time they were over. Read more

Published on Sep 25 2003 by Richard I. Caplan

4.0 out of 5 stars "Begin the Beguine" again and again and again....
This film is tons of fun!

It's not a masterpiece along the lines of "The Wizard of Oz" or "Meet Me in St. Louis. Read more

Published on July 21 2003 by R. L. Pulliam

4.0 out of 5 stars Great dance numbers, one after another
Sure, the story is light, but it provides some chuckles and bridges the musical numbers together with minimal fuss. Read more

Published on May 13 2003 by Joseph P. Menta, Jr.

5.0 out of 5 stars Thank god for film!
Because it can capture brilliance like this and hold it there forever. If I had to be shipwrecked on a deserted island with a DVD player and only one Fred Astaire musical number,... Read more

Published on May 2 2003 by Miss Mazeppa

3.0 out of 5 stars INCONSISTANT IMAGE QUALITY - A REAL LET DOWN!
"Broadway Melody of 1940" was MGM's final film in a series that began with the original Oscar-winning movie from 1929/30. Read more

Published on April 22 2003 by Nix Pix

5.0 out of 5 stars Ellie and Fred finally together on DVD!!
If you love the movie "Chicago", you will love "The Broadway Melody of 1940". It's got the best tap dance sequences in movie history and a Cole Porter music score. Read more

Published on Mar 16 2003 by S. Copeland

5.0 out of 5 stars A Delightful Movie
This may not be the greatest Fred Astaire movie, but it's very near the top. It features a collection of terrific Cole Porter songs, some great tap-dancing by Astaire and Eleanor... Read more

Published on Mar 13 2003

5.0 out of 5 stars You will never see anything like this again!
Over the years this movie has usually been panned. Today, with availability on VHS, then on laser disc, and now on DVD this film is getting the acclaim it deserves. Read more

Published on Feb 21 2003 by Richard A Schauer

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