Babes on Broadway (1941)

Tommy Williams desperately wants to get to Broadway, but as he is only singing in a spaghetti house for tips he is a long way off. He meets Penny Morris, herself no mean singer, and through... See full summary »

Director:

Busby Berkeley

Writers:

Fred F. Finklehoffe (story), Fred F. Finklehoffe (screenplay),

Stars:

Mickey Rooney, Judy Garland, Fay Bainter

Nominated for 1 Oscar.

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Mickey Rooney	...	Tommy Williams
Judy Garland	...	Penny Morris
Fay Bainter	...	Miss Jones
Virginia Weidler	...	Barbara Jo
Ray McDonald	...	Ray Lambert
Richard Quine	...	Morton Hammond
Donald Meek	...	Mr. Stone
Alexander Woollcott	...	Himself
Luis Alberni	...	Nick
James Gleason	...	Thornton Reed
Emma Dunn	...	Mrs. Williams
Frederick Burton	...	Mr. Morris
Cliff Clark	...	Inspector Moriarity
William Post Jr.	...	Announcer
Rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Carl Stockdale	...	Man (scenes deleted)

Storyline

Tommy Williams desperately wants to get to Broadway, but as he is only singing in a spaghetti house for tips he is a long way off. He meets Penny Morris, herself no mean singer, and through her gets the idea to promote a show to send orphaned children on a country holiday. But he is only using the kids to get on himself, which Penny soon realises. With his romance off, an engagement in Philadelphia he can't get to, and, indeed, war in Europe, life can be difficult.

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Plot Keywords:

orphan | singer | audition | new york city | mother son relationship | 

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Taglines:

The fastest musical show on Earth, biggest song and dance spectacle of all time!

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Genres:

Comedy | Musical | Romance

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Certificate:

Approved

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

January 1942 (USA)

Also Known As:

Vi på Broadway

Filming Locations:

Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios - 10202 W. Washington Blvd., Culver City, California, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$940,068 (estimated)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM)

Technical Specs

Runtime:

118 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (Western Electric Sound System)

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

One of the first Hollywood musicals to acknowledge that World War II was taking place.

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Goofs

In the "Hoe Down" number, during Ray McDonald's tap dance, his foot movement does not match the sound of the taps.

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Quotes

Miss 'Jonesy' Jones: Every actor in New York will love you!
Thornton Reed, Theatrical Producer: I don't want every actor in New York to love me! I want my wife to love me!

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Connections

Featured in Memories of Oz (2001)

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Soundtracks

"Hoe Down"
(uncredited)
Music by Roger Edens
Lyrics by Ralph Freed
Played at rehearsal and sung by Judy Garland
Danced to by the principal cast

User Reviews

Sometimes a Good Notion

Mickey Rooney (as Tommy) wants to make it on Broadway. With Judy Garland (as Penny), Ray McDonald (as Ray), Richard Quine (as Hammy), and Virginia Weidler (as Barbara Jo), he can't miss!

Some speed induced-like performances break the stride, though it's always nice to see those in the cast at work. The longest stretch of enjoyment begins with Mr. Rooney and Ms. Garland singing and dancing "Yankee Doodle Boy" as part if an imaginary sequence, then director Berkley takes over for a the frantic set-up the show sequence, and Rooney closes in Carmen Miranda drag. Rooney in drag works, as does Mr. McDonald's "black-face" solo dance (if taken in in isolation) - but there are elements in the closing "Babes on Broadway" that are racially insensitive. In fact, some of the dialog and gestures are repulsive. Be prepared.

*** Babes on Broadway (1941) Busby Berkeley ~ Mickey Rooney, Judy Garland, Ray McDonald