Broadway Melody (1929)

It opened 80 years ago today! Broadway Melody, the first all talking musical.
In the opening scene Charles King sings the title song with the composer Nacio Herb Brown at the piano. Lyricist Arthur Freed can also be seen at the end of the clip. Music publisher James Gleason plays himself.

Category:

Entertainment

Tags:

• 1929
• talkie
• broadway
• musical

[Bobolink03]

"Hot Dog!" is right.. wonderful. What energy! Imagine what it was like to see this in a movie palace, during the original run! Shivers and goosebumps, anyone?

[stjn00]

And how! :)

[bill3murr]

where is eddie lang? he's not the guy playing the guitar on king's left....james gleason played character parts on many movies...good actor.

[stjn00]

You're correct! That's not Eddie Lang, my mistake :)

[23brookside]

Oh, Arthur is standing by the piano at 2:50, good eye! Later a great musical producer. Check the fairly recent Ava Gardner bio for a not so nice story about him.

This film is available on DVD.

The lovely Anita was in it. What a doll she was! She left Hollywood suddenly, a few years after this picture was made. Male pressure by a studio suit, she said. 1929. A great time for music, not so great for the rights of women. The picture itself references that situation

[louisa1832]

I get such a kick out of the way the girl with the long string of pearls gets into the song.

[louisa1832]

@Bobolink03 Maybe in Heaven we'll get to attend that opening night. I'm hoping!

[Txboy85A]

Those two girls singing at 0:40 are the cutest things! My my my.

[brandon91616]

Does anyone know any possible way to view the full film?

[TVWriterGuy]

I should have lived in the era of this film. I am certain i was born several decades too late.

[177coc]

I love it !!!!!!

[HarborGuy]

Another great long forgotten by Hollywood of today.........

[FoPo4]

Don't let this one delightful and polished scene fool you. Broadway Melody of 1929 deserves its rep as the worst Best Picture ever. Anita Page can't act. Bessie Love over acts. During the final scenes players seem to make

up dialog as they go along. Some of it couldn't have been rehearsed. Actors move about awkwardly, often leaving the camera field.

Musical fans will appreciate seeing legends Nacio Herb Brown and Arthur Freed.

[hebneh]

I really enjoy seeing how the fairly-new technology of sound is so well used here. At the start, the disorganized jumble of various musical styles gets across the hectic atmosphere of this office where all sorts of competitors are vying for attention. Then, when "Broadway Melody" begins, the various instruments join in as the curious onlookers gradually pay attention and get enthusiastic.

[nostalgiajunkie70]

Do you hear Nacio Herb Brown ask Charles King: Is this a good song Eddie?

Charles King says: Is this a good song Herb? It's just as good as the Doll Dance number! LOL..Also notice "Is Zat So?" which I have not seen.