Broadway Danny Rose (1984)

In his attempts to reconcile a lounge singer with his mistress, a hapless talent agent is mistaken as her lover by a jealous gangster.

Director:

Woody Allen

Writer:

Woody Allen

Stars:

Woody Allen, Mia Farrow, Nick Apollo Forte

Nominated for 2 Oscars. Another 3 wins & 2 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Woody Allen	...	Danny Rose
Mia Farrow	...	Tina Vitale
Nick Apollo Forte	...	Lou Canova
Sandy Baron	...	Sandy Baron
Corbett Monica	...	Corbett Monica
Jackie Gayle	...	Jackie Gayle
Morty Gunty	...	Morty Gunty
Will Jordan	...	Will Jordan
Howard Storm	...	Howard Storm
Jack Rollins	...	Jack Rollins
Milton Berle	...	Milton Berle
Craig Vandenburgh	...	Ray Webb
Herb Reynolds	...	Barney Dunn
Paul Greco	...	Vito Rispoli
Frank Renzulli	...	Joe Rispoli

Storyline

Danny Rose is a manager of artists, and although he's not very successful, he nevertheless goes out of his way to help his acts. So when Lou Canova, a singer who has a chance of making a come-back, asks Danny to help him with a problem, Danny helps him. This problem is Lou's mistress Tina. Lou wants Tina to be at his concerts, otherwise he can't perform, but he's married, so Danny has to take her along as if she was his girlfriend. Danny however gets more than he has bargained for when two mobsters come looking for the guy who has hurt their brother by stealing the heart of Tina, the girl he loves.

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Plot Keywords:

character name as title | nickname as title | reference to murder incorporated | miniature golf | reference to tony bennett | 

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Genres:

Comedy

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Certificate:

PG

Did You Know?

Trivia

The only film that year to be Oscar nominated for Best Director, but not Best Picture.

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Goofs

When Danny arrives to pick up Tina, he tells her he is double-parked. When she then storms across the street with Danny following her, we see the car, and it is not double-parked; but shortly thereafter, when Danny makes a pay-phone call, the car can be seen double-parked in the background.

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Quotes

Danny Rose: The days before you'll go onstage you gotta look in the mirror and you gotta say your three S's: star, smile, strong!

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Crazy Credits

The guys in the Carnegie Deli continue to banter over part of the end credits.

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Connections

References Murder, Inc. (1960)

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Soundtracks

Torna a Surriento (Return to Sorrento)
(1902) (uncredited)
Music by Ernesto De Curtis
Played often in the score

User Reviews

Woody "Light"? Think Again...!

Upon my initial viewing of "Broadway Danny Rose" ("BDR," as I will refer to it henceforth) when it opened in theaters back in 1984, I recall being somewhat disappointed at this seemingly frothy, light-weight film. Sometimes it takes additional viewings to truly appreciate the fine line between "light-weight" and "subtle." Coming off of the brilliant, sorely underappreciated "Zelig" -- and my first disappointing Allen film, "A Midsummer Night's Sex Comedy" -- I approached BDR with high-hopes. I left the theater feeling let-down at it's slapstick approach, esp. after Allen's "new" direction towards "serious" cinema. (I'm a devotee of his "Annie Hall"/post-"Annie Hall" films, as opposed to his "earlier, funny films.") How wrong was I in thinking I had seen something frivolous and trivial!

The absolute beauty of BDR not only comes from (once again) Gordon Willis' inspired chiaroscuro use of black & white photography and framing, Allen's hand-picked jazz score, succinct editing and crafty art direction, but mostly from its marvelous cast of actors -- most esp. Mia Farrow's astounding, beautifully wrought and precise performance. Upon subsequent viewings, her character's soul literally exudes through the epidermis! On top of that, the so-called "slapstick," which initially I viewed askance, turned-out to be far subtler than its initial impact. The right-on performances by BDR's numerous sub-characters also proved to be far more meaningful and poignant then initially viewed.

And, that ending.... What an ending! It has got to be one of the most heartbreaking and romantic finale's in screen history! (I say this with no hyperbole.) I have seen BDR more than two-dozen times, and it has never failed to bring me to tears (as did "Annie Hall," "Manhattan" and, his subsequent, "Hannah and Her Sisters"). The start of the scene (with Farrow's character confronting a heartbroken Allen) is pure beauty and poetry. The finale of Allen running after Farrow through the wet and rough-n-tumble streets of New York, and his (inaudible) "forgiveness" in front of the delicatessen, is nothing less than magical!

In sum, sometimes it takes a different "perspective" in looking at a piece of art to realize that there's much more there than meets the eye. Sort of like Diane Keaton's character in "Manhattan," as she pontificated with much zeal over the "textural" qualities of the "steel cube." Only this time, no pontification is needed: "Broadway Danny Rose" is pure, unadulterated romance through and through! This is a "must-see." Enjoy!

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English Italian Yiddish

Release Date:

27 January 1984 (USA)

Also Known As:

Broadway Danny Rose

Filming Locations:

Brill Building - 1619 Broadway, Manhattan, New York City, New York, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$8,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$953,794, 29 January 1984

Gross USA:

$10,600,497

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$10,600,497

Company Credits

Production Co:

Orion Pictures, Jack Rollins & Charles H. Joffe Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

84 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1