Broadway Melody of 1940 (1940)

Director:

Norman Taurog

Writers:

Leon Gordon (screenplay) and
George Oppenheimer (screenplay) ...

Release Date:

9 February 1940 (USA)

Genre:

Musical

Tagline:

Eleanor Powell - Fred Astaire - In The Finest Broadway Melody Of Them All

Plot:

Johnny Brett and King Shaw are an unsuccessful dance team in New York. A producer discovers Brett as the new partner for Clare Bennett, but Brett, who thinks he is one of the people they lent money to gives him the name of his partner.

Plot Keywords:

Dance | Show Business | Love Triangle | Beautiful Woman | Tap Dance

Cast

Fred Astaire	...	Johnny Brett
Eleanor Powell	...	Clare Bennett
George Murphy	...	King Shaw
Frank Morgan	...	Bob Casey
Ian Hunter	...	Bert C. Matthews
Florence Rice	...	Amy Blake, Casey's Secretary
Lynne Carver	...	Emmy Lou Lee
Ann Morriss	...	Pearl Delonge
Trixie Firschke	...	Juggler

Runtime:

102 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono (Western Electric Sound System)

Certification:

UK:U | Australia:G | Finland:S | Sweden:Btl

Company:

Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM)

Trivia:

The vocals for Carmen D'Antonio were dubbed by Lois Hodnott.

Goofs:

Continuity: When Johnny substitutes for King at the last minute, the costume fits the much smaller Johnny perfectly.

Quotes:

Johnny Brett: [singing] So, move Grant's Tomb to Union Square / and put Brooklyn anywhere / but please, please / I'm down on my knees / don't monkey with Broadway!

Movie Connections:

Featured in "MGM: When the Lion Roars" (1992)

Soundtrack:

Anchors Aweigh

Memorable Dancing Scenes

The pairing of Eleanor Powell and Fred Astaire made for an interesting combination.

In most cases, when Fred danced with anyone, audiences' eyes tended to focus on him rather than his partner. Powell's natural charimsa shifted that norm. Not really taller than Astaire but more solid than his normal partners with very strong, full legs, Powell's presence demanded attention.

Actually, Eleanor didn't really need a dance partner. Like Ann Miller, Powell was a "single," a complete "deal" in one package. Eleanor could do tap, soft shoe, ballet, interpretive and classic with equal aplomb. Her energy and dexterity seemed limitless. Yet when she danced here with Fred, the restaurant and "challenge" dance sequences became classics.

Cole Porter's ravishing "I Concentrate on You" is presented in a beautiful rendition with rich baritone solo and Powell executing endless turns on pointe, all while moving in circles.

George Murphy is seen here at his tap dancing best. Yet while doing all the steps perfectly with Astaire, George's more beefy frame makes him seem more heavy, while Fred appears more facile.

This fun-filled film continues to be shown and enjoyed as a memento of a happy period--at least in terms of Hollywood musicals.