Comet Over Broadway (1938)

Director:

Busby Berkeley

Writers:

Faith Baldwin (story)
Mark Hellinger (screenplay) ...

Release Date:

3 December 1938 (USA)

Genre:

Drama | Romance

Plot:

Story of a rising stage star and the trouble she causes by her ambition.

Plot Keywords:

Prison | Fight | Self Sacrifice | Loyalty | Working Wife

Cast

  (Cast overview, first billed only)

Kay Francis	...	Eve Appleton / Eve Wilson
Ian Hunter	...	Bert Ballin
John Litel	...	William 'Bill' Appleton
Donald Crisp	...	Joe Grant
Minna Gombell	...	Tim Adams
Sybil Jason	...	Jacqueline 'Jackie' Appleton
Melville Cooper	...	Mr. Emerson
Ian Keith	...	Wilton 'John' Banks
Leona Maricle	...	Janet Eaton
Ray Mayer	...	Pianist Tommy Brogan
Vera Lewis	...	Mrs. Appleton, Bill's Mother
Nat Carr	...	Haines, Burlesque Manager
Chester Clute	...	Willis
Edward McWade	...	Mr. Harvey
Clem Bevans	...	Lem Benson

Also Known As:

Curtain Call (USA) (working title)

Runtime:

70 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono

Certification:

Finland:K-16 | USA:Approved (PCA #4500)

Company:

Warner Bros. Pictures

Trivia:

This was the first script that Broadway columnist-turned-film writer/producer Mark Hellinger worked on at Warner Brothers. When Bette Davis read the script, she snorted "Weak tea!" and refused to play the lead. She then accepted a role in The Sisters (1938).

Movie Connections:

Features I Found Stella Parish (1935)

Soundtrack:

Dames

Kay, Strong and Brave

Soap Opera about a small town married woman (Kay Francis) who works at the local newsstand, performs as leading lady in her local playhouse, but dreams of becoming a star on Broadway. When a famous actor who is a ham, a windbag, and a womanizer to boot, arrives in town she visits him in his room with dreams of him giving her tips to stardom - he pretends his valet is his "manager" tricking her into believing she has all it takes but "experience" to become a big star. Her husband finds out and punches the guy resulting in the actor's unexpected death - which leads to a murder trial and even more unexpected: a life prison sentence for hubby. Next thing you know she's joined a traveling Burlesque show in hopes of one day making it to Broadway and making enough money to get her man's freedom - all the while her baby is sleeping in a trunk!

This film has a pretty interesting plot, well, a bit far-fetched perhaps, but very melodramatic (with tons of melodramatic music to make sure you get it) - all *greatly* enhanced by the strong, emotional performance given by Kay Francis - she just makes this film. Also helping here is the well-done acting by Minna Gombell in her role as a "getting close to forty" older lady who works the burlesque and befriends Kay. Worth seeing, especially for Kay Francis fans.