Broadway Melody

[dhermann1]

Hey, did anyone catch "Broadway Melody" on TCM last night? What a wonderful film! It was the very first movie musical. I finally gave up at 1 AM and went to bed, so I missed the last 45 minutes, but what a flick! The musical numbers are crude, to say the least, but they give you an idea of what a real Broadway show of the 1920's would have looked like. However the story and acting were surprisingly good. Anita Page, one of the stars, is still alive at the age of almost 97. She lives in Hollywood like a real life Norma Desmond.
Here is a story from The Guardian from 2000 about her.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/friday_review/story/0,3605,391621,00.html
Amazing! I just hope I get a chance to see the whole thing again some time.
There's a website called musicals101.com, and this film could also really be considered required viewing for anyone who wants to know the history of American musical theater.

 

[scotrace]

Ha! We were doing the same thing! I also gave it up at 1 AM.

A great flick. The two female leads were very beautiful and their performances weren't as mannered as most from 1930 or so.

I was thrilled to FINALLY see the song "Broadway Melody" performed in the actual film it lives in - all I had ever seen was the clip from "That's Entertainment."

 

[LizzieMaine]

I love this film -- Bessie Love's breakdown scene at the makeup table after she finds out about Eddie and Queenie may be the first really first-class acting performance of the talkie era.

 

[goldwyn girl]

I believe it's available on DVD.

 

[Zig2k143]

I'll have to see if its playing again and DVR it.

 

[Rafter]

I'll have to see if its playing again and DVR it.

Zig, Is that all you can say about this landmark MGM Classic?

This film is most notable for Judy Garland's performance of ""You Made Me Love You" (AKA "Dear Mr. Gable"), a tribute to Clark Gable.

As for the title song "Broadway Melody", I remember seeing it performed in an "Our Gang" short. I believe they were performing at a radio station. Alfalfa always the bad singer fortunately didn't sing this song. It was done by someone else and there was a first-rate top hat and cane routine that went along with it. Alfalfa later in the episode did an off-key version of Bing Crosby's "Learn To Croon"! It was so bad that I remember it to this day.

 

[Amy Jeanne]

This film is most notable for Judy Garland's performance of ""You Made Me Love You" (AKA "Dear Mr. Gable"), a tribute to Clark Gable.

That was The Broadway Melody of 1938 -- which is the weakest one of the whole series, in my opinion. The original 1929 Broadway Melody is WONDERFUL!! One of my all-time favourite movies. I stayed up to watch it, even though I've seen it 3738 times and have it on DVD

 

[Flivver]

I paid around $30 for the original VHS tape of the 1929 Broadway Melody over 15 years ago. It was the first late 20s talkie I ever ever saw on TV when I was a kid, so I just *had* to have it!

I've watched it so many times it has proven to be a good investment. Anita Page is wonderful in this movie. I'm glad to hear that she's still alive.

 

[Daisy Buchanan]

I love all of the "Broadway Melodies"
I think they are all fantastic, and yes Judy Garlands performance of "You Made Me Love You" was wonderful!!
I have all of them on my Amazon wishlist. You just reminded me that I have to order them, thanks

 

[HadleyH]

Broadway Melody of 1929, the first and the best.

 

[Fletch]

Despite the fact that the camera operator was Leonardo da Vinci and the orchestra consisted of a bunch of guys banging on rocks. lol

 

[HadleyH]

Despite the fact that the camera operator was Leonardo da Vinci and the orchestra consisted of a bunch of guys banging on rocks. lol

Who told you Leonardo da Vinci was the camera operator Fletch?
I thought da Vinci was the one singing 'Puttin' On The Ritz' ? [huh]