Broadway Melody of 1940 **** (1940, Fred Astaire, George Murphy, Eleanor Powell, Frank Morgan) – Classic Movie Review 3627

Director Norman Taurog’s 1940 musical brings the series of four Broadway Melody movies to an end in great style with Fred Astaire and George Murphy kicking up a storm as Johnny Brett and King Shaw, dancing partners who become rivals.

This sequel to Broadway Melody of 1938 has twin marvels in an exquisite Cole Porter score (including ‘Begin the Beguine’, ‘I’ve Got My Eyes on You’ and ‘I Concentrate on You’) and the quick-stepping Eleanor Powell. completing her sensational Broadway Melody hat-trick (she wasn’t in the 1929 first one, The Broadway Melody), as big Broadway star Clare Bennett.

The show’s fourth star, Frank Morgan, is excellent in an authoritative performance as the producer/ impresario, Bob Casey.

Shamefully, it was the only movie pairing of Astaire and Powell, probably the finest movie musical dancers of their time.

Also in the cast are Douglas McPhail, Florence Rice, Ian Hunter, Lynne Carver, Ann Morriss, Trixie Firschke, Barbara Jo Allen, Irving Bacon, Herman Bing, Gladys Blake, Mel Blanc, Don Brodie, Paul E Burns, George Chandler, Chick Collins, Joseph Crehan, John Daheim, Hal K Dawson, Edgar Dearing, Jean Del Val, Mary Field, James Flavin, Bess Flowers, Shep Houghton, Harry Lash, Hal Le Sueur, David Lloyd, Alphonse Martell, Bert Moorhouse, Jack Mulhall, John T Murray, Tom Quinn, Cyril Ring, Gertrude Simpson, Walter Soderling, William Tannen, Libby Taylor, Russell Wade, W Alyn Warren and Joe Yule.

The set for the Begin the Beguine number cost $120,000 to build and includes a 60-foot multi-panelled mirror mounted on a revolving track to change backgrounds.

It was Astaire’s first film for MGM since his small part in 1933’s Dancing Lady.

Dancer Murphy became a United States senator.

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© Derek Winnert 2016 Classic Movie Review 3627
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