Battle of Broadway (1938)

Two American Legionnaires on convention in New York share adventures and rivalries in an around show biz.

Director:

George Marshall

Writers:

Norman Houston (story), Lou Breslow (screenplay),

Stars:

Victor McLaglen, Brian Donlevy, Gypsy Rose Lee

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Victor McLaglen	...	Big Ben Wheeler
Brian Donlevy	...	Chesty Webb
Gypsy Rose Lee	...	Linda Lee (as Louise Hovick)
Raymond Walburn	...	Homer C. Bundy
Lynn Bari	...	Marjorie Clark
Jane Darwell	...	Mrs. Rogers
Robert Kellard	...	Jack Bundy
Sammy Cohen	...	Turkey
Esther Muir	...	Opal Updyke
Eddie Holden	...	Svenson
Hattie McDaniel	...	Agatha
Paul Irving	...	Professor Halligan
Frank Moran	...	Pinky McCann
Andrew Tombes	...	Judge Hutchins

Storyline

Two American Legionnaires on convention in New York share adventures and rivalries in an around show biz.

---

Plot Keywords:

american | legionnaire | rivalry | convention | slang | 

---

Taglines:

The two toughest guys in the outfit trade punches over Manhattan's niftiest cuties...and it's a riot of fighting, femme-chasing and fun!

---

Genres:

Action | Adventure | Comedy | Music | Romance

---

Certificate:

Approved

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

22 April 1938 (USA)

Also Known As:

Les deux bagarreurs

Company Credits

Production Co:

Twentieth Century Fox Film Corporation

Technical Specs

Runtime:

84 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

A nitrate print of this film survives in the UCLA Film and Television Archives, and is not listed for preservation.

---

Soundtracks

"Daughter of Mademoiselle"
Lyrics by Sidney Clare
Music by Harry Akst

User Reviews

One of the Best Films of the Year!

Dazzling! There are some killjoys who say they never watch any Wurtzel product, but this one is far superior to the "B" features produced by rival studios such as Columbia and Universal, and even Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer. In the first place, it features a top cast with some of the best farceurs in the business. Secondly, it has a script by Lou Breslow, John Patrick (!) and Norman Houston(!) that keeps the wit humming like a buzzsaw while ringing up delightfully devious plot changes faster than the cash register at a burlesque box office. Thirdly, it has a director who keeps things popping at a terrific bat. Fourthly, it features remarkably lavish production values. And fifth – but by no means least – it features a really outstanding cast of starring and featured players. Of course, McLaglen can always be relied upon for a rousing performance while Gypsy Rose Lee not unexpectedly sweeps into her scenes like the society queen at a fancy-dress ball. With great aplomb, she even handles a song that turns into an elaborate production number with a large chorus of skimpy-costumed cuties.

The real surprise of the movie, however, is Brian Donlevy – he of the normally expressionless features, stiff posture and idiot-board delivery. Here he actually gives a performance – and such a performance! He's genuinely funny, revealing an unexpected flair for farcical posturing and double takes.

Among the supporting faces, watch for Sammy Cohen (who can fall off a chair with comic ease), Eddie Holden as a one-man band, Hattie McDaniel weaving her plump figure into a series of hilarious postures, and gravel-voiced Frank Moran as the moronic masseur. Paul Irving is right in the comic stream too as a nutty professor. And there's Lynn Bari, looking youthful and most entrancing as our hero's real fiancée.