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Broadway Melody Of 1940

1940, Movie, NR, 102 mins

Broadway Melody Of 1940: Review

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Aspiring dance team of Astaire and Murphy is separated professionally when, through a case of mistaken names, Murphy is offered the starring role in a big Broadway show. Astaire begins to coach the less-talented Murphy and watches his former partner make a fool out of himself as he becomes a hard-drinking egomaniac. When, on opening night, Murphy becomes too drunk to perform, a masked Astaire takes his place, impressing the audience and the show's leading lady, Powell. Murphy revels in his false success and Astaire remains in the shadows. At one point during the show's run, Murphy realizes the dishonesty in his "triumph" and feigns drunkenness, forcing Astaire to once again take his place, this time unmasked. As Astaire dances his way into the audience's and Powell's heart, Murphy joins the pair on stage. This once-in-a-lifetime pairing of Astaire and Powell should have been a musical classic, but sadly, it is not. The film lacks the spontaneous sense of fun and grace that marked Powell's solo work and Astaire's partnership with Ginger Rogers. Powell may have been the better dancer, but when Rogers decided to pursue a dramatic career, she left Astaire needing not only a dance partner, but someone who could recapture the sparkling communion the two had had in the nonmusical portions of their films. Powell wasn't that someone. Songs: "Begin the Beguine," "I've Got My Eyes On You," "I Am The Captain," "Please Don't Monkey With Broadway," "Between You And Me," "I Concentrate On You" (Cole Porter); "Il Bacio" (Luigi Arditi, sung by Charlotte Arren). leave a comment
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