Watch Broadway Melody of 1940 For Free

The Age of Commercialism

Best movie of this year hands down!

It’s sentimental, ridiculously long and only occasionally funny

All of these films share one commonality, that being a kind of emotional center that humanizes a cast of monsters.

Copyright 9 February 1940 by Loew's Inc. A Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer picture. New York opening at the Capitol: 28 March 1940. U.S. release: 9 February 1940. Australian release: 4 July 1940. 11 reels. 9,144 feet. 101 minutes.SYNOPSIS: Astaire and Murphy play a couple of struggling song-and- dance men in New York. Their act is seen by a big theatrical agent who picks out Astaire to be the dancing partner in his big new show opposite the big star, Powell. Through an accident of mistaken identity Murphy gets the job instead, but by the end this is straightened out and Astaire gets not only the part but, apparently, the girl as well.COMMENT: Fine dancing, good songs, silly story. True, Frank Morgan conjures up a mildly amusing portrait, but the romantic triangle with the principals is not only dull but does them all — particularly Astaire — a distinct disservice. Judicious cutting would certainly help. We're surprised that editor Sewell left in so much rubbishy padding between the musical numbers. Taurog's middle-of-the-road direction lacks any sparkle and finesse that might have lifted the boringly straight script into the realm of passable entertainment. Fortunately, once they put on their dancing shoes, Astaire, Powell and Murphy kick up some suitable storms!This was the last of The Broadway Melody series. It would seem to promise much in the union of Astaire and Powell (with George Murphy thrown in as a bonus) — plus a Cole Porter score — but alas in dancing terms it delivers somewhat less than expected. Too much attention is paid to the trite surrounding story.

This is the fourth and last film in MGM's "Broadway Melody" series, which began back in 1929. I've watched them all (for the first time) recently, and it's interesting to see how they evolved...and without question, this is the most sophisticated...although the two previous films were very entertaining.This is also the only time that Fred Astaire and Eleanor Powell ever appeared in film together. She the top female dancer, he the top male dancer, and they are great together.Here, a friendly...and then not so friendly competition between two friends, both dancers develops. Fred Astaire plays the somewhat more talented dancer, while George Murphy plays the slightly less talented dancer. In a mix-up involving the great Frank Morgan, Murphy gets selected to appear with Eleanor Powell in a big Broadway production over the more talented Astaire. The two partners (Astaire and Murphy) breakup, but can't quite separate. Meanwhile Murphy turns up drunk and unable to perform, and Powell finally realizes that her partner (in both dancing and love) was supposed to be Astaire.Astaire was great. Murphy was very good. What was the difference? Try watching each of them when tap dancing...look at just their feet. Murphy occasionally makes tiny missteps that are hardly noticeable. Astaire is always perfect.Supporting cast members include Ian Hunter as the producer.Two of Cole Porter's best compositions are found here. "I Concentrate on You" is an exceptional song, and is wonderfully sung here by Douglas McPhail and danced by Eleanor Powell and Fred Astaire. And perhaps the best song of all time -- "Begin the Beguine" -- is featured here, with Astaire and Powell dancing to 2 different interpretations in a wonderful routine (although I was not impressed with the vocal by mezzo-soprano Lois Hodnott.It's tough to criticize this film, although MGM made a big mistake here. They considered filming it in Technicolor, which probably would have resulted in it being one of the most remembered of the MGM musicals. But due to the war, they settled for black and white. A shame. For that reason alone, I'm giving it only a very strong "7".

A film from Hollywood when it was indeed the world's dream factory. Seventy years old... Black and white... mono sound... and it's probably the best film I've seen in six months. I've seen most of the Astaire- Rogers films but somehow this one escaped me. It is stunningly great. Cole Porter's ageless music... Fred Astair's classy persona and wonderful dancing... Eleanor Powell who indeed outshines Ginger Rogers... The production numbers are all the more remarkable when you realize the technology of the day was primitive by comparison with now. (One amazing scene where Astaire and Powell are dancing while their rear image is seen in a mirror at the back of the stage. Yet there is no reflection of the lights or cameras.) The world was pretty bleak in 1940. The depression was still being felt. Hitler had conquered most of Europe. France and Britain were about to collapse (France did. Britain almost did.) Here in Canada we were already at war. Yet for twenty-five or fifty cents you could buy 90 minutes of joy, glamour, beauty and fantasy. (Plus a cartoon, a short and a newsreel.)

Alas, "Broadway Melody of 1940" is the only film that Fred Astaire and Eleanor Powell made together. Their dancing ignites "Begin the Beguine," and one only wishes there had been another teaming of the lady with the dimpled smile and fast feet and that master of grace.You can see the entire story coming a mile away, but it doesn't matter. Besides the cast, which includes the always charming George Murphy, Frank Morgan, and Ian Hunter, the film is full of Cole Porter music, including the beautiful "I Concentrate on You." Powell's and Astaire's finale makes the entire film worth seeing. They make such a relaxed couple - though they lack the intensity of the Astaire-Rogers teaming, they have a chemistry and a natural symmetry that makes up for it.Highly recommended.