The Broadway Melody (1929)

the prototype for the MGM musical

Sure, it's dated and schlocky and a real relic... but it's also the prototype for the MGM musical, in that it was a "story musical", with the numbers arising from situations in the narrative. Of course, it helps that the narrative is a backstage musical, where two sisters (Anita Page and Bessie Love), fresh from the country, come to New York City to make it on Broadway. Along the way, they encounter heartache and betrayal and tests on their sisterhood, but that way happens to be paved with numbers like "The Wedding of the Painted Doll", "You Were Meant for Me" and "The Broadway Melody". This was the big one for MGM: the all-singing, all-dancing, all-talkie musical which wowed 'em at the box office, and wound up with the Academy Award as Best Picture. To think this is a good movie by any stretch of the imagination takes more imagination than most people would care to give, but it is entertaining, and paved the way for "The Broadway Melody of 1936", "The Broadway Melody of 1938", "The Broadway Melody of 1940" and, finally, "Two Girls on Broadway" (1940), the remake that cast Lana Turner and Joan Blondell as stand-ins for Anita Page and Bessie Love. Though klunkier than any of the others, "The Broadway Melody" has an authentic show biz atmosphere which is certainly nostalgic. And the klunkiness of the numbers must be seen to be believed: the parodies in "Singin' in the Rain" are far more polished than anything in the original. May 9, 2008

2006 DVD print different from 1989 VHS print

I give this DVD edition 5 stars, not for the extras, but because any surviving 1929-30 musical film to make it to DVD deserves 5 stars--and any company responsible should be encouraged. I found the Metro Movietones selected for inclusion to be extremely odd and below average compared to others that exist. This includes "Dogway Melody." If Warner Home Video had only chosen SONGWRITERS' REVUE (1929) to the exclusion of all else, viewers would be treated to a 35-year old Jack Benny introducing songwriting teams of the day playing and singing their own material--this includes Nacio Herb Brown and Arthur Freed themselves, with Freed singing "Wedding of the Painted Doll." This would have been the perfect extra for this DVD edition. Warner also might have considered lifting song numbers from HOLLYWOOD REVUE OF 1929 for inclusion, particularly the first film production number of "Singin' in the Rain." However, I personally will never settle for anything less than a complete edition of the latter on DVD. HOLLYWOOD REVUE OF 1929 remains the only one of the star-studded studio revues in which all reels survive. It is also the only one in which all reels survive in beautiful condition--in this case 13 reels. Other studio revues boasted color sequences. MGM's HOLLYWOOD REVUE is the only one in which all it's color sequences survive with their color intact---not black and white copies. Anyone wishing details on these all-star revues may contact me. I have gathered quite a lot of information.

Back to BROADWAY MELODY. I wonder how many have noticed that the print used for the DVD is different from the one used for the VHS edition, and possibly edited. This is really quite clear. I had noted another Amazon.com reviewer's comment on the graininess of the DVD release before I purchased and viewed mine only two days ago. This is true. The only other major difference that I noticed was in the very beginning, during the opening credits. In the VHS edition, the strains of "The Broadway Melody" are heard over the entire opening credits. The credits dissolve as George M. Cohan's "Give My Regards to Broadway" begins, and that accompanies the shots of the city. In the DVD edition, only the latter part of the "The Broadway Melody" music is used, and is replaced by the Cohan song before the credits are half over. During the overhead shots of the city the sound of an automobile horn has been dubbed in. This is nowhere to be heard in the VHS version. Between the DVD and VHS editions, I suppose the jury is still out on which is the better print. August 8, 2007

VERY OLD BUT VERY GOOD

CONSIDERING WHEN THIS MUSICAL WAS MADE, IT IS A GREAT FORERUNNER TO THE LATER BROADWAY MELODY FILMS. IT IS FAR SUPERIOR TO THE REMAKE WITH LANA TURNER AND JOAN BLONDELL. IN MY OPINION BROADWAY MELODY OF 1936 WAS THE BEST BROADWAY MELODY MADE. YOU CAN'T REALLY TAKE ANYTHING AWAY FROM BROADWAY MELODY OF 1929, IN AS MUCH AS IT PRESENTED ITSELF WITH A LOT OF VIGOR, GOOD CAST AND MUSIC WHICH FOR ITS DAY SURELY HAD MOVIE GOERS WONDERING WHEN OTHER MUSICALS WERE COMING. IF YOU ARE A MOVIE MUSICAL BUFF BE SURE TO INCLUDE BROADWAY MELODY OF 1929 IN YOUR COLLECTION. March 30, 2007

Those men aren't going to pay ten bucks to look at your face; this is Broadway!

The Broadway Melody Of 1929 scored a coup at the box office; it was also the first "talkie" to receive the Oscar for Best Picture. This incredible film was very modern for its time even though the story today would never suffice as a movie plot. The acting is convincing; Bessie Love and Anita Page shine as the sister act Hank and Queenie Mahoney. Just one look at Charles King as Eddie Kearns tells you he's the good guy who can't help being human; and Kenneth Thomson turns in an excellent performance as the rich playboy Jacques Warriner. Arthur Freed himself gets a small role as a bystander in the rehearsal room for Francis Zanfield's latest Broadway production. Clearly the character of Francis Zanfield refers to the great Flo Ziegfeld--excellent!

The movie opens with sisters Hank and Queenie arriving in New York to seek fortune and fame as a Broadway act. They talk it over with Eddie, who loves Hank until he gets a glimpse of Queenie now that she's "all grown up." Eddie tries to get the sisters into the latest Broadway revue production staged by Francis Zanfield. Things begin to happen both for the better and for the worse as Eddie realizes that he loves Queenie and not Hank anymore. Queenie tries to escape Eddie by dating a rich playboy named Jacques so that Hank, her sister, could be happy with Eddie. However, Jacques' money may not be enough to win Queenie's true love. Queenie must then decide between Eddie and Jacques; and her decision effects Hank's life, too.

The shades of black and white complement the fine acting perfectly; and the superb musical numbers strike you as infectious even today. The movie score boasts the infectiously happy "The Broadway Melody;" "You Were Meant For Me" and "Truthful Parson Brown." These numbers are sung with the great sensitivity you expect from a MGM musical and the musical arrangements reflect forethought, too.

The cinematography is quite good for it's time. The opening moments feature beautiful aerial views of Manhattan; the lighting is good and the subjects are well framed within the screen. You get excellent sound and the strength of the choreography shows in the dancer numbers as well as the brief fight scene between Eddie and Jacques.

The DVD offers wonderful extras, too. MGM spoofs its own movie with "The Dogway Melody." The trained dogs act out a story that is remarkably similar to The Broadway Melody of 1929--excellent! There are five "Metro Movietone Revues," too, which showcase other talented acts in the form of short movies. Van & Schenck get to display their talents in their own musical revue as well.

As for Broadway Melody itself, sure, the plot might be corny, contrived and predictable--but, then again, who cares? These characters show their human sides well through fine acting and the musical numbers exceed your expectations. The movie holds your attention throughout and the themes of love, humanity and wanting success will remain forever relevant to us both today and in the future. Kudos to MGM and these superb actors for producing such a treat as The Broadway Melody of 1929! Great job, everyone!
February 7, 2007

A film honored for combining music and drama rather than its overall quality

Even though it was advertised as "All Talking! All Singing! All Dancing!", this movie, named the Best Picture of 1929, contains certain elements that point out that sound was still unfamiliar territory to most filmmakers. For example, this movie is still using title cards to announce the chapters. Also, the actors are still using exaggerated gestures to indicate what is going on as if nobody can hear what they are saying. For example, in one scene, characters indicate their drunkenness by hiccuping and wildly staggering about. They appear more like they are dying from some horrible poison than just suffering the aftermath of too much alcohol. This unpolished musical was undoubtedly recognized more for combining drama with the musical revue than for its overall production value. The inclusion of a major production number, "The Wedding of the Painted Doll," in Technicolor may also have impressed the Academy.

The story is basically just a backdrop for the real attraction - the singing and dancing. The vaudeville act of Harriet and Queenie Mahoney come to Broadway where their friend, Eddie Kerns, needs them for his number in a show. Eddie was in love with Harriet, but when he meets Queenie, he falls in love with her. However, she is courted by Jock Warriner, a member of New York high society. It takes a while until Queenie realizes that she doesn't mean anything to Jock. It also takes a while until Harriet recognizes that Eddie is in love with Queenie. End of a very unremarkable story. This film's style is noteable because it is one of the first of many films where the players burst into song with music magically accompanying them and supposedly unrehearsed and complicated choreography appear from nowhere. Also note the brief appearance of two character actors early in their careers - William Demarest and James Gleason.

The extras are Warner Brothers shorts that pertain to the talkies and musicals of the late 20s and early 30s. "The Dogway Melody" is a 16 minute-long spoof of the original The Broadway Melody with a cast entirely of dogs. You have to see this to believe it. It is funny in an "Our Gang" kind of way. There are also Metro Movietone Reviews consisting of five shorts less than 20 minutes each of some singing and dancing and comedy bits taken directly from the stage. "Van & Schenk" is a 5 minute short with Gus Van and Joe Schenk singing "Chinese Firecracker" and "Way Down South" with piano accompaniment sounding like they are singing through a megaphone. "Broadway Trailer Gallery" contains trailers for the four sequels to Broadway Melody. These films were Broadway Melody of 1936, 1938, 1940, and 1944. Overall, I'd say the extras were more enjoyable than the movie itself. December 22, 2006

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