Broadway Melody of 1936

MGM, 1935
Starring Eleanor Powell, Jack Benny, Robert Taylor, and Una Merkel
Directed by Roy Del Ruth
Music by Nacio Herb Brown; Lyrics by Arthur Freed

When musicals made a comeback in Hollywood during the mid-30's, the studios also revived their earliest hits in series of semi-revues. We're already seen two entries in this trend, Gold Diggers of 1933 from Warners and The Big Broadcast of 1938 from Paramount. How does MGM's second entry in this series fare? Let's head to New York, where gossip columnist Bert Keeler (Benny), "The Eyes and Ears of Broadway," is breathlessly describing another "blessed event," and find out...

The Story: Bert's boss (Paul Harvey) wants him to drop all the baby news and start picking up really juicy scoops. He and his assistant Snoop Blue (Sid Silvers) run into one when they overhear wealthy widow Lillian Brett (June Knight) and stage producer Bob Gordon (Taylor) talking about her financing his next musical. Keeler latches onto this tidbit and splashes it all over his column, to Gordon's disgust.

Meanwhile, Irene Foster, who had been Bob's girlfriend in high school, has come to New York hoping he'll give her a chance in his latest show. He first doesn't recognize her, then turns her down to protect her from the big city. She and Bob's secretary Kitty (Merkel) finally take advantage of the fictional French actress Keeler created in his column to turn Irene into a haughty French beauty and get her on the stage. It works, to the frustration of Lillian, who had hoped to star. Keeler, however, has just gotten news from France that changes everything. Now he has to figure out how to reveal his deception without doing further damage to anyone's reputation, including his.

The Song and Dance: MGM was known as "the Tiffany studio," where every movie came out with a glamorous, gem-like sheen. They threw everything they had into this one, and from the glittering costumes and sets to the frothy script that finds room for a man who specializes in snoring. Powell shines in her first major role; check out her incredible high kicks in "Sing Before Breakfast." Nice score, too, probably Brown and Freed's best together.

Favorite Number: Taylor and Knight duet on "I Got a Feelin' You're Foolin'" in the nightclub, which somehow leads into a massive chorus number that includes Knight dancing with Nick Long Jr. and lots of extras showing off fluffy gowns. "Sing Before Breakfast" is a showcase for Powell and Buddy Ebsen and his sister Wilma as they meet Powell and explain why they're dancing on the roof.  "You are My Lucky Star" is heard several times, notably as a dream ballet for Powell when she imagines what it'll like to dance in a Broadway show. The charming "On a Sunday Afternoon" is one of two two good songs from the show itself, performed by the Ebsens and the chorus in early 20th century dress. "Broadway Rhythm," the big finale, starts off with Frances Langford, but eventually includes one last duet from Knight and Long and the Ebsens and Powell kicking and leaping with chorus boys in tuxedoes.

Trivia: This was Powell's first leading role and Buddy Ebsen's first film.

It was nominated for Best Picture in 1936.

What I Don't Like: This is cute, but...Best Picture material, it is not. The nomination likely came on the strength of those big numbers. The story is pedestrian and silly, Taylor is clearly bored, and Benny is miscast as a Walter Winchell-type gossip hound. Knight's a great dancer, but she was normally a stage star and was stiff in front of the cameras.

The Big Finale: Mainly worth checking out for the numbers if you love Powell or the splashier shows of the 1930's.

Home Media: Currently avalible on DVD via the Warner Archives; Amazon Prime has it for streaming.

DVD
Amazon Prime