IMDb >
The Broadway Melody (1929)
Watch It
Buy it at Amazon
Rent it at Blockbuster.com
Discuss in Boards More at IMDb Pro Add to My Movies Update Data
BETA
Discuss in Boards More at IMDb Pro Add to My Movies Update Data
Quicklinks
Top Links
trailers and videosfull cast and crewtriviaofficial sitesmemorable quotesOverview
main detailscombined detailsfull cast and crewcompany creditstv scheduleAwards & Reviews
user commentsexternal reviewsnewsgroup reviewsawardsuser ratingsparents guiderecommendationsmessage boardPlot & Quotes
plot summarysynopsisplot keywordsAmazon.com summarymemorable quotesFun Stuff
triviagoofssoundtrack listingcrazy creditsalternate versionsmovie connectionsFAQOther Info
merchandising linksbox office/businessrelease datesfilming locationstechnical specslaserdisc detailsDVD detailsliterature listingsNewsDeskPromotional
taglines trailers and videos posters photo galleryExternal Links
showtimesofficial sitesmiscellaneousphotographssound clipsvideo clipsThe Broadway Melody (1929) More at IMDbPro »
Overview
User Rating:
Release Date:
1929 (Turkey) moreTagline:
The pulsating drama of Broadway's bared heart speaks and sings with a voice to stir your soul! morePlot:
Harriet and Queenie Mahoney, a vaudeville act, come to Broadway, where their friend Eddie Kerns needs... more | add synopsisPlot Keywords:
moreAwards:
Won Oscar. Another 2 nominations moreNewsDesk:
(2 articles)
Silent Screen Star Anita Page Dead At 98 (From Studio Briefing - Film News. 8 September 2008, 10:35 AM, PDT)
Silent Screen Siren Anita Page Dies
(From WENN. 7 September 2008, 4:02 PM, PDT)
User Comments:
Great Acting, Good Music more (48 total)Cast
(Complete credited cast)| Charles King | ... | Eddie Kearns | |
| Anita Page | ... | Queenie Mahoney | |
| Bessie Love | ... | Hank Mahoney | |
| Jed Prouty | ... | Uncle Jed | |
| Kenneth Thomson | ... | Jock Warriner | |
| Edward Dillon | ... | Stage Manager | |
| Mary Doran | ... | Flo | |
| Eddie Kane | ... | Francis Zanfield | |
| J. Emmett Beck | ... | Babe Hatrick | |
| Marshall Ruth | ... | Stew, Mr. Zanfield's assistant | |
| Drew Demorest | ... | Turpe, Costumer (as Drew Demarest) |
Additional Details
Parents Guide:
Add content advisory for parentsRuntime:
110 min | 101 min (TCM print)Country:
USALanguage:
EnglishAspect Ratio:
1.20 : 1 moreFun Stuff
Trivia:
This movie was MGM's first all-talking picture, and it was the first sound film to win Oscar Best Picture. moreQuotes:
[the Stage Manager is yelling at the electricians in the theater rafters]Stage Manager: [pointing to the stage] I told you, I want a spotlight *right here*!
[a miffed electrician drops a spotlight off the rafters. It lands on the stage with a crash]
Stage Manager: [cowed] Thank you.
more
Soundtrack:
The Broadway Melody moreFAQ
This FAQ is empty. Add the first question.more (48 total)
Message Boards
Discuss this movie with other users on IMDb message board for The Broadway Melody (1929) moreRecommendations
If you enjoyed this title, our database also recommends:
Show more recommendations
|
|
|
|
|
| Funny Girl | Stage Door | Dizzy Dames | On the Town | Two Girls on Broadway |
|
IMDb User Rating:
|
IMDb User Rating:
|
IMDb User Rating:
|
IMDb User Rating:
|
IMDb User Rating:
|
Related Links
| Full cast and crew | Company credits | External reviews |
| News articles | IMDb Musical section | IMDb USA section |
| Add this title to MyMovies |

This is NOT a bad film. It's a 1929 musical that won an Oscar for best film as well as nominations for direction (Harry Beaumont) and lead actress, Bessie Love. It was the number ONE hit of 1929. Central to this film is Love's great performance as Hank Mahoney, the older sister in a musical act trying to make it on Broadway. The plot is pretty sophisticated for 1929. Bessie Love is in love with a singer (Charles King) who falls for younger sister, gorgeous Anita Page. Rather than hurt her sister, Page starts running around with a scummy playboy. The truth comes out and Love backs off in a heart-breaking scene, giving up King and the act, and clears the way for Page and King. Two great songs: The Broadway Melody and You Were Meant for Me, both nicely done by Charles King. Love and Page are also fun in The Boy Friend song, in which Bessie Love gets to cut loose and dance in a full-fledged number. Another song, The Wedding of the Painted Dolls, is truly bizarre, and possibly the most over produced musical number you'll EVER see! But I like the music.
Yes, yes, you've seen all this before, but remember this is a 1929 talkie. The opening number is wonderful, with Charles King introducing The Broadway Melody. That's James Gleason as the music publisher. And keep your eyes on Rosie (no idea who played her) with her swinging beads. I think that's Hope Emerson playing "the big woman" in charge of the dressing room, who has a terrific scene with the gay designer (no idea who he is either). Moray Doran, Kenneth Thomson, Eddie Kane have roles and that's composer Nacio Herb Brown at the piano. I love this film! I love the music. Bessie Love is SO GOOD in this film, you wonder why her talkie career didn't go better. Anita Page is also good and has a couple of terrific dramatic scenes. Charles King is a good singer but his acting was hammy. The three stars also appeared in Hollywood Revue of 1929. And yes, Bessie Love had been in films since the teens and was already a veteran of 15 years when she made this film. Catch her in Intolerance and The Lost World.