Broadway Melody of 1940 (1940)
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- Passed
- 1h 42min
- Musical
- 09 Feb 1940 (USA)
- Movie
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:
Writers:
Awards:
- 4 wins.
- See more »
Photos and Videos
Cast verified as complete
| Fred Astaire | ... |
Johnny Brett
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| Eleanor Powell | ... |
Clare Bennett
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| George Murphy | ... |
King Shaw
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| Frank Morgan | ... |
Bob Casey
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| Ian Hunter | ... |
Bert C. Matthews
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| Florence Rice | ... |
Amy Blake
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| Lynne Carver | ... |
Emmy Lou Lee
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| Ann Morriss | ... |
Pearl
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| Trixie Firschke | ... |
Juggler
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| Rest of cast listed alphabetically: | |||
| Carol Adams | ... |
Dancer (uncredited)
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| Barbara Jo Allen | ... |
Ms. Konk (uncredited)
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Charlotte Arren | ... |
Auditioning soprano (uncredited)
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| Irving Bacon | ... |
Soda Jerk (uncredited)
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| Bobby Barber | ... |
Wedding Guest (uncredited)
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| Herman Bing | ... |
Silhouettist (uncredited)
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| Gladys Blake | ... |
Ms. Martin (uncredited)
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| Mel Blanc | ... |
Panhandler (uncredited)
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Johnny Broderick | ... |
Hanks (uncredited)
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| Don Brodie | ... |
Barker (uncredited)
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| Paul E. Burns | ... |
Waiter (uncredited)
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Bobbie Canvin | ... |
Music Maids Member (uncredited)
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| George Chandler | ... |
Mr. Jones (uncredited)
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Chick Collins | ... |
Sailor (uncredited)
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James Conaty | ... |
Seated Nightclub Patron (uncredited)
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| Joseph Crehan | ... |
Ballroom Manager (uncredited)
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| Carmen D'Antonio | ... |
Begin the Beguine singer (uncredited)
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| John Daheim | ... |
Barker (uncredited)
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Jeanne Darrell | ... |
Music Maids Member (uncredited)
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Hal K. Dawson | ... |
O'Grady (uncredited)
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| Edgar Dearing | ... |
Policeman (uncredited)
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| Sayre Dearing | ... |
Wedding Guest (uncredited)
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| Jean Del Val | ... |
Italian Waiter (uncredited)
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| Mary Field | ... |
2nd Bride (uncredited)
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| James Flavin | ... |
Bouncer (uncredited)
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| Bess Flowers | ... |
Nightclub Dancer (uncredited)
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| George Ford | ... |
Theatregoer (uncredited)
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George Golden | ... |
Nightclub Patron (uncredited)
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| Eddie Hall | ... |
Guest at 1st Wedding (uncredited)
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| Henry Hebert | ... |
Theatregoer (uncredited)
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Shep Houghton | ... |
Specialty Dancer (uncredited)
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| Arthur Stuart Hull | ... |
Actor in Top Hat (uncredited)
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Patt Hyatt | ... |
Music Maids Member (uncredited)
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Harry Lash | ... |
Barker (uncredited)
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| Hal Le Sueur | ... |
Casey's Chauffeur (uncredited)
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David Lloyd | ... |
Callboy (uncredited)
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King Lockwood | ... |
Wedding Guest (uncredited)
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Alice Ludes | ... |
Music Maids Member (uncredited)
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| Alphonse Martell | ... |
French Dancer (uncredited)
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| Frank McLure | ... |
Wedding Guest (uncredited)
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Douglas McPhail | ... |
Masked Singer (uncredited)
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| Bert Moorhouse | ... |
Wedding Guest (uncredited)
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| Jack Mulhall | ... |
George (uncredited)
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| John T. Murray | ... |
Ham Actor (uncredited)
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The Music Maids | ... |
Singers - 'Begin the Beguine' (uncredited)
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| Wanda Perry | ... |
Bridesmaid (uncredited)
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Tom Quinn | ... |
Wedding Guest (uncredited)
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| Suzanne Ridgway | ... |
Nightclub Dancer / Chorine at Rehearsal (uncredited)
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| Cyril Ring | ... |
Show Backer at Rehearsal / Nightclub Headwaiter (uncredited)
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Mel Ruick | ... |
Orchestra Leader (uncredited)
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Gertrude Simpson | ... |
Stage Mother (uncredited)
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| Walter Soderling | ... |
Justice (uncredited)
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| Larry Steers | ... |
Theatregoer (uncredited)
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| William Tannen | ... |
Harmon (uncredited)
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| Libby Taylor | ... |
Angel (uncredited)
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| Russell Wade | ... |
Nightclub Dancer (uncredited)
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| E. Alyn Warren | ... |
Pop (uncredited)
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Denny Wilson | ... |
Music Maids Member (uncredited)
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Blair Woolstencroft | ... |
Unicyclist (uncredited)
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Katherine Yorke | ... |
Chorus Girl (uncredited)
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| Joe Yule | ... |
Dan (uncredited)
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Directed by
| Norman Taurog | ... | (directed by) |
Written by
| Leon Gordon | ... | (screen play by) and |
| George Oppenheimer | ... | (screen play by) |
| Jack McGowan | ... | (original story by) and |
| Dore Schary | ... | (original story by) |
| Preston Sturges | ... | () (uncredited) |
| Walter DeLeon | ... | () (uncredited) |
| Vincent Lawrence | ... | () (uncredited) |
| Albert Mannheimer | ... | () (uncredited) |
| Eddie Moran | ... | () (uncredited) |
| Thomas Phipps | ... | () (uncredited) |
| Sid Silvers | ... | () (uncredited) |
Produced by
| Jack Cummings | ... | producer (produced by) |
Music by
| George Bassman | ... | (uncredited) |
| George Stoll | ... | (uncredited) |
Cinematography by
| Oliver T. Marsh | ... | director of photography |
| Joseph Ruttenberg | ... | director of photography |
Editing by
| Blanche Sewell | ... | film editor |
Art Direction by
| Cedric Gibbons | ||
Set Decoration by
| Edwin B. Willis | ... | (set decorations) |
Costume Design by
| Adrian | ... | (gowns) |
| Valles | ... | (costumes: men's) |
Production Management
| Art Smith | ... | production manager (uncredited) |
Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
| Gilbert Kurland | ... | second unit director (uncredited) |
| Bill Ryan | ... | assistant director (uncredited) |
Art Department
| John S. Detlie | ... | associate art director |
Sound Department
| Douglas Shearer | ... | recording director |
Camera and Electrical Department
| J. Harper | ... | photographer (uncredited) |
Costume and Wardrobe Department
| Eugene Joseff | ... | costume jeweller (uncredited) |
Music Department
| Leo Arnaud | ... | vocal and orchestration |
| Roger Edens | ... | musical arrangements |
| Charles Henderson | ... | vocal and orchestration |
| Alfred Newman | ... | musical director |
| Cole Porter | ... | lyrics and music |
| Edward B. Powell | ... | vocal and orchestration (as Edward Powell) |
| Merrill Pye | ... | musical presentation |
| George Bassman | ... | orchestrator (uncredited) |
| Murray Cutter | ... | orchestrator (uncredited) |
| Wally Heglin | ... | orchestrator (uncredited) |
| Fletcher Henderson | ... | music arranger (uncredited) |
| William Saracino | ... | music editor (uncredited) |
Additional Crew
| Bobby Connolly | ... | dances |
| Albertina Rasch | ... | additional choreographer (uncredited) |
Production Companies
- Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM) (controlled by Loew's Incorporated) (presents)
Distributors
- Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM) (1940) (United States) (theatrical)
- Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM) (1940) (United Kingdom) (theatrical)
- Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM) (1940) (Sweden) (theatrical)
- Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM) (1946) (Sweden) (theatrical)
- Warner Home Video (2003) (United States) (DVD) (special edition)
- Warner Home Video (2006) (United States) (DVD)
- Warner Archive Collection (2020) (United States) (Blu-ray)
Special Effects
Other Companies
Storyline
| Plot Summary |
Hoofers Johnny Brett and King Shaw have been trying to make it in New York. Befuddled producer Bob Casey wants a new partner for star Clare Bennett, but Brett thinks the caller is a bill collector and in a panic says that he is King Shaw. Because of this casting mixup, the wrong man gets a major role in a Broadway show. It looks as if Johnny, who deserves the part and who is falling for Clare while she is also falling for him, has lost his shot at stardom. Then King, the new leading man, gets drunk on opening night and someone else has to take his place... Includes numerous dance routines and Cole Porter songs, with the classic "Begin the Beguine."
Written by Fiona Kelleghan |
| Plot Keywords | |
| Taglines | Eleanor Powell - Fred Astaire - In The Finest Broadway Melody Of Them All See more » |
| Genres | |
| Parents Guide | Add content advisory for parents » |
| Certification |
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Additional Details
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Did You Know?
| Trivia | The fur coat running gag was based on the real-life ploy of talent agent Doc Shurr. See more » |
| Goofs | When Johnny substitutes for King at the last minute, the costume fits the much smaller Johnny perfectly. See more » |
| Movie Connections | Edited into Grand Central Murder (1942). See more » |
| Soundtracks | Please Don't Monkey with Broadway See more » |
| Crazy Credits | The opening credits/shot takes place at Times Square, New York City on October 14, 1939 at around 7:38-7:39pm. See more » |
| Quotes |
King Shaw:
The more you know about women, the less you know about women. Johnny Brett: Maybe it's time you find out they're not all alike. See more » |