Broadway Melody of 1940 (1940)

Johnny Brett and King Shaw are an unsuccessful dance team in New York. A producer discovers Brett as the new partner for Clare Bennett, but Brett, who thinks he is one of the people they lent money to gives him the name of his partner.

Director:

Norman Taurog

Writers:

Leon Gordon (screen play), George Oppenheimer (screen play)

Stars:

Fred Astaire, Eleanor Powell, George Murphy

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Fred Astaire	...	Johnny Brett
Eleanor Powell	...	Clare Bennett
George Murphy	...	King Shaw
Frank Morgan	...	Bob Casey
Ian Hunter	...	Bert C. Matthews
Florence Rice	...	Amy Blake
Lynne Carver	...	Emmy Lou Lee
Ann Morriss	...	Pearl
Trixie Firschke	...	Juggler

Storyline

Johnny Brett and King Shaw are an unsuccessful dance team in New York. A producer discovers Brent as the new partner for Clare Bennett, but Brett, who thinks he is one of the people they lent money to gives him the name of his partner.

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Plot Keywords:

dancing | tap dancing | new york city | manhattan new york city | show business | 

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Taglines:

Eleanor Powell - Fred Astaire - In The Finest Broadway Melody Of Them All

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Genres:

Musical

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Certificate:

Passed

Did You Know?

Trivia

Planned to be shot in Technicolor, but made in black and white.

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Goofs

When Johnny substitutes for King at the last minute, the costume fits the much smaller Johnny perfectly.

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Quotes

Johnny Brett: Nice black coffee for that nice black hangover.

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Connections

Referenced in Fade to Black (1980)

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Soundtracks

I've Got My Eye on You
(1939) (uncredited)
(instrumental and choral reprise)
Written by Cole Porter
Sung by offscreen chorus
Danced by Fred Astaire, Eleanor Powell, and George Murphy

User Reviews

Fantastic

I wish that Fred and Eleanor had made more movies together. Fred had many good partners over his career, but Eleanor was the best tap dancing partner. Ginger Rogers was probably the most popular but I feel that was because she was more photogenic and not because she was the best dancer. I myself prefer the tap dancing to the ballroom dancing. Eleanor had no competition in the arena of tap dancing. The story in this movie is no better than any of Fred's other movies. I am only commenting on the dancing. The Broadway Melody of 1940 will never be excelled in what it had to offer. Even Murphy added no small contribution to this movie. I never realized he could tap dance.

Jerry Berry Salida, Co 81201

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

9 February 1940 (USA)

Also Known As:

Broadway Melody of 1940

Filming Locations:

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

Company Credits

Production Co:

Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM)

Technical Specs

Runtime:

102 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (Western Electric Sound System)

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1