Broadway Melody of 1936 (1935)

Bob Gordon is staging a new Broadway Show, but he is short of money. He gets an offer of money by the young widow Lilian, if she can dance in his new show. Bert Keeler, a paper man, gets ... See full summary »

Director:

Roy Del Ruth

Writers:

Jack McGowan (screen play), Sid Silvers (screen play),

Stars:

Jack Benny, Eleanor Powell, Robert Taylor

Won 1 Oscar. Another 2 nominations.

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Jack Benny	...	Bert Keeler
Eleanor Powell	...	Irene Foster
Robert Taylor	...	Bob Gordon
Una Merkel	...	Kitty Corbett
Sid Silvers	...	Snoop
Buddy Ebsen	...	Ted
June Knight	...	Lillian Brent
Vilma Ebsen	...	Sally
Nick Long Jr.	...	Basil
Robert Wildhack	...	The Snorer
Paul Harvey	...	Managing Editor
Frances Langford	...	Herself
Harry Stockwell	...	Himself

Storyline

Bob Gordon is staging a new Broadway Show, but he is short of money. He gets an offer of money by the young widow Lilian, if she can dance in his new show. Bert Keeler, a paper man, gets this information and is writing about this in his column in an slight unfriendly way. Gordon's old class mate Irene Forster, a tap dancer from Albany also tries to get the leading role in this show, but Lilian insists in getting this part herself. So Irene Forster, Bert Keeler and Gordon's secretary Kitty start a little game to get Irene the leading role.

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Plot Keywords:

dancer | gossip columnist | childhood sweetheart | fisticuffs | impersonation | 

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Taglines:

You have waited seven years for this!

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Genres:

Musical | Romance

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Certificate:

Approved

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

20 September 1935 (USA)

Also Known As:

Broadway Melody of 1935

Company Credits

Production Co:

Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM)

Technical Specs

Runtime:

101 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (Western Electric Sound System)

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

The singing voice of Eleanor Powell was dubbed by Marjorie Lane.

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Quotes

Sally Burke: Why don't you go back and see Gordon?
Irene Foster: I will not!
Sally Burke: You *came* here to see him, didn't you?
Irene Foster: Yes, but I still have a little pride left.
Ted Burke: So's Gandhi, but he's getting awful thin.

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Connections

Featured in We Must Have Music (1942)

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Soundtracks

"I've Got a Feelin' You're Foolin'"
(1935) (uncredited)
Music by Nacio Herb Brown
Lyrics by Arthur Freed
Sung by June Knight, Robert Taylor and chorus
Danced to by June Knight, Nick Long Jr. and chorus
Reprised by Frances Langford
Played as dance music and during end credits

User Reviews

One of the glitziest musicals ever produced.

The songs in this film are classics. "Dream of You", "Lucky Star" are just two of the best every written. The choreography is what you learn to expect from the likes of Eleanor Powell, Buddy Ebsen and Nick Lang. And you get a rare chance to glimpse the talents of Vilma Ebsen, Buddy's sister. (One of the few negatives of the film is Vilma's lack of acting ability. But this is a very small distraction.)

Robert Taylor is his silky smooth self. Normally easy to dislike in other films, his character (the producer) comes off as likable and honest.

If you are an Una Merkel fan, as I am, she would be reason enough to spend the time watching this picture. She is her adorable self, as Taylor's secretary.

Powell shows up as an ex girl friend from Albany, with stars in her eyes, looking for a break in show business, only to be turned away by Taylor, who honestly believes Broadway is no place for this innocent. Eleanor has a tough time emoting with the veteran actors here, and her shallow acting talent can be a little grating at times. But her dancing and off beat beauty far over ride any real distractions.

Jack Benny has a chance to display an edgier side; one which we are not used to seeing from him, and it both surprising and gratifying to see how well he carried it off.

This is one of those films you can dust off and watch any time you're feeling the need for a shot of simpler, easier times.