IMDb > The Broadway Melody (1929)
The Broadway Melody
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The Broadway Melody (1929) More at IMDbPro »


Overview

User Rating:
6.8/10   1,819 votes
MOVIEmeter: ?
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Director:
Writers:
Edmund Goulding (story)
Norman Houston (writer) ...
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Contact:
View company contact information for The Broadway Melody on IMDbPro.
Release Date:
1929 (Turkey) more
Genre:
Tagline:
The pulsating drama of Broadway's bared heart speaks and sings with a voice to stir your soul! more
Plot:
Harriet and Queenie Mahoney, a vaudeville act, come to Broadway, where their friend Eddie Kerns needs... more | add synopsis
Awards:
Won Oscar. Another 2 nominations more
NewsDesk:
(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:
A "Talkie" In Transition 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)
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Additional Details

Also Known As:
The Broadway Melody of 1929 (USA) (alternative title)
more
Runtime:
110 min | 101 min (TCM print)
Country:
Language:
Color:
Black and White | Color (Technicolor)
Aspect Ratio:
1.20 : 1 more
Sound Mix:
Mono (Western Electric Sound System) | Silent
Certification:
Australia:G | Brazil:Livre | USA:Passed (National Board of Review)

Fun Stuff

Trivia:
Eddie Kane starred as a big shot Broadway producer named Francis Zanfield, which is an obvious take on Broadway legend Florenz Ziegfeld Jr.. While the character name Jock Warriner (played by Kenneth Thomson) was meant to sound like Jack L. Warner who was the head of Warner Bros. Studio, the main rival of MGM studio at that time. more
Quotes:
Eddie Kearns: Those men aren't going to pay ten bucks to look at your face; this is Broadway!
Hank Mahoney: Yeah, "Broad's way!"
more
Movie Connections:
Soundtrack:
The Wedding of the Painted Doll more

FAQ

This FAQ is empty. Add the first question.
16 out of 17 people found the following comment useful.
A "Talkie" In Transition, 17 May 2005
6/10
Author: robmeister from Riverside, California

To say the least, watching this movie was an interesting experience. For one thing, "The Broadway Melody" predates the Hayes Code, which placed strong restrictions on what could and could not be seen (or heard) in movies. For example, we see numerous shots of Hank and Queenie in various states of undress, including shots of them in their undergarments as they change clothes, and even one of Queenie in the bathtub(!). No, nothing is revealed, but in 1929, it must have been scandalous to see this.

Another interesting aspect of this film is that, despite the fact that it is a "talkie," title cards like those seen in silent films appear throughout. Apparently, MGM wasn't quite sure how to progress the story of the movie as it switched to different sets.

Another thing I noticed was the similarities between some of the characters' names to those of real people. Specifically, "Jock Warriner" sounds like "Jack Warner" (who was head of Warner Bros. Studios) and "Francis Zanfield" is similar to "Florenz Ziegfeld" (of Ziegfeld Follies fame). It would seem the writers didn't have far to go to create some of these characters.

As for the acting, Bessie Love is the best performer in the film. Her character, Hank (yes, a man's name!), is intelligent, strong-willed, determined, and tough-minded, and she deservedly received an Oscar nomination for her performance in this film.

"The Broadway Melody" is a somewhat dated movie (to echo the sentiment of TV Guide), but it is still worthwhile to watch. The script is a little hokey, but the performances (especially from the women) shine through.

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Message Boards

Discuss this movie with other users on IMDb message board for The Broadway Melody (1929)
Recent Posts (updated daily)User
Explanation for Hank's name? Banquo13
Jock Warriner rdott
The toe dancer... heyteegs
The Warner Bros restored DVD of 1929 'The Broadway Melody' kekouri
Rosie - Awesome Flapper! Alix1929
R.I.P. Anita Squashpants
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