Broadway Melody Of 1940 [DVD] [1940]

As with many similar films `Broadway Melody of 1940' has a wafer thin plot with a storyline hardly worth mentioning other than to say that there had to be something upon which to thread the movie. And on this occasion it was, I suppose, basically a couple of job seekers , Fred Astaire and George Murphy, on the lookout for a dancing job! That said the movie itself is pure enjoyment of not only the dancing skills of the principals and the rest of the cast, but of the production team too. I am always amazed by films of this period - and earlier - that were shot with very limited equipment and other facilities compared to later times, and yet many over time have turned out to be classic productions, employing innovative and imaginative techniques and are now widely regarded as gems of the cinema. In this particular movie, if for no other reason, it's a must buy just to watch the films final scenes of Powell, Astaire and the dancing chorus strutting their stuff to Cole Porter's `Begin the Beguine'. This fifteen minutes or so sequence which takes place on a stage with a glossy, black surface, emphasising the white attire of the dancers, is in three elements, and is simply beyond criticism. In particular the final part when Astaire appears in a white tuxedo and smoothly glides into rhythm with Powell for a magnificent `pas de deux'. Their duet, with the orchestra of Artie Shaw playing in the background, is arguably the greatest piece of dancing ever committed to celluloid. It's a scene that having held you transfixed for fifteen minutes or so, then makes you feel liking leaping from your chair and applauding with passion!It is difficult to judge, but the whole performance of Astaire and Powell seems to be executed in one take using a single eye level camera. If so, I would not be surprised as Astaire was a very strict rehearsals man who would practice for hours in order to get a few minutes of dancing performance perfect. He could also be ruthless with his co-stars who, occasionally I guess, might have been less well rehearsed and disappointed Astaire's high expectations. Eleanor Powell, was an excellent dancer and only appeared with Fred in this single film. Good dancer that she was, and although maybe in the same league, Ginger Rogers and Cyd Charisse usually get a bigger mention whenever the name of Astaire comes up. In this movie she was never better. Fred of course was, well.....! A super film! Great entertainment! What pleasure these - now elderly - movies continue to give! I wonder what it would have looked like in colour!

Very good picture and sound on DVD (in monochrome), so clear and with a simple little storyline allowing you to enjoy their dancing. Begin the Beguine vocals and dance routine brill. Especially loved the little tap dance by Eleanor Powell and Fred Astaire (which is also available to watch on line with opening commentary by Frank Sinatra, but much clearer to view on the DVD) all done in one take! Eleanor Powell was easily able to match dear Ginger Rogers' elegance and perfection.Another excellent musical to add to the collection, albeit a little dated in design... Just want to mention that a little comedy snippet was included in one of the scenes which I think was really rather pointless. I suppose the lady on the stage was a favourite in America at that time and it was not that bad so as to ruin the movie (I just skip over it and lap up the rest).

Buying the three Broadway Melody movies is worth your money. The best movie remains Broadway Melody of 1936 with that grand dance finale. The 1938 edition also hits the spot. Both movies feature the enchanting dance wonder Eleanor Powell. How lovely she looked! She also stars in the 1940 movie, completing the trilogy. And in this final Broadway Melody feature you get Fred Astaire as a bonus. Enjoy!

What can you say? Fred magically dances his way through the film with a beautiful girl on his arm. The plot is irrelevant, the sheer poetry of the performance is all that is required to take you back to an era where the general uniform of people was not a dirty T shirt and a pair of ripped jeans with 2 days of dirty dubble on their faces--and that is just the women! People converse with never a "sort of", "well it's like", "you know", but manage to talk in complete sentences. So get out your dancing shoes and sit down and let yourself be transported back to an age where there were certainties in the world, and the PC world had yet to intrude. Pete M

This has to be one of the best dance films ever made. Eleanor Powell may not have had the looks of Ginger but judged on this film her footwork was better. Maybe it owes something to the dazzling choreography throughout. I doubt that Fred ever danced better. His male co-star George Murphy is also excellent in a good, though typically uncomplicated storyline. It seems harsh to knock this film but it does have a flaw in that with one notable exception, the songs are not especially memorable. The exception of course is 'Begin the Beguine'. Even so, I still give it 5 stars, its a classic!

Absolutely wonderful film with many magical moments. Eleanor Powell is yet again magnificent in this classic gem. Fred ain't too shabby either.

I RATE THIS MOVIE 5 STARS, IT IS VERY GOO0D AND FREDDY IS EXCELLENT WITH HIS DANCING AS ALWAYS , GOOD CAST WITH HIM DVD PRINT VERY GOOD SOUND GOOD WOULD HAVE BEEN BETTER IF IT WAS DONE IN COLOR, AND ELEANOR POWELL IS ALSO GOOD WITH HER DANCING . I DO RECOMMEND THIS MOVIE IF YOU LIKE MUSICALS, SO BUY IT AND PUT IT WITH ALL YOUR COLECTIONS,WELL WORTH WATCHING AND MANY MORE VIEWINGS AFTER .

Great to see real professional dancing after the disaster of La a Land. This is how it was - and should be still - done!