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Broadway Melody of 1940

Play trailer Poster for Broadway Melody of 1940 1940 1h 42m Musical Play Trailer Watchlist
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80% Tomatometer 5 Reviews 80% Popcornmeter 1,000+ Ratings
In New York City, the dance team of Johnny Brett (Fred Astaire) and King Shaw (George Murphy) are at the bottom of the heap, and barely scraping by in dance halls. When a producer, Bob Casey (Frank Morgan), catches sight of Brett's moves, he wants to cast him as the dance partner of the Broadway star Clare Bennett (Eleanor Powell). However, after some misdirection and confusion, Shaw becomes Bennett's partner instead, but Brett still has some dancing to do when Shaw fails to perform.
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Broadway Melody of 1940

Critics Reviews

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Ellie Lucas From the Front Row May 4, 2021
2.5/4
(The) final number "Begin the Beguine" is perhaps one (Astaire's) most graceful set pieces, but the film itself feels rather tired, and the formula for these large scale showbiz musicals that dazzled in the 1930s was beginning to wear thin. Go to Full Review Matt Brunson Film Frenzy Apr 23, 2021
3/4
Cole Porter contributes a handful of tunes, with the showstopper being the climactic presentation of "Begin the Beguine" - sung and staged not once but twice. Go to Full Review Sean Axmaker Seanax.com Apr 6, 2008
... another ridiculous story that justifies itself in the historic one-time-only pairing of MGM's Queen of Tap Powell and the cinematic grace incarnate Fred Astaire. Go to Full Review Susan Granger www.susangranger.com Oct 5, 2006
4/5
Emanuel Levy EmanuelLevy.Com Jun 13, 2005
2/5
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Audience Reviews

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Eli K @Eli22 Jun 19, 2024 Can't put under List tag. See more Leaburn O @RT35452347 Oct 4, 2022 Better than the original Oscar winning film the story was simple but decent enough and the actors and actresses have charm I don't like dancing so skipped all those scenes. See more william d @acsdoug Apr 14, 2022 Astaire and Powell! Together! Who needs a plot? See more steve d @RT35616104 Jul 22, 2020 If you want a story with your dancing look elsewhere. See more Thomas M @TMProofreader Jan 27, 2019 The best musical movie ever made! With the best movie song ever sung: Begin the Beguine! See more Simon T @MovieTart Mar 15, 2016 Wonderful showcase for Fred Astaire's astonishing tap-dancing. Here he's partnered with the equally fleet Eleanor Powell and George Murphy in a typical backstage melodrama. Very attractively performed by the entire cast, and sprinkled with bonkers comedy spots. Great stuff. See more Read all reviews
Broadway Melody of 1940

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Cast & Crew

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Norman Taurog

Director

Fred Astaire

Johnny Brett

Eleanor Powell

Clare Bennett

George Murphy

King Shaw

Frank Morgan

Bob Casey

Ian Hunter

Bert C. Matthews
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Broadway Melody of 1940

Broadway Melody of 1940 (1940) Broadway Melody of 1940 (1940) Broadway Melody of 1940 (1940) View more photos

Movie Info

Synopsis In New York City, the dance team of Johnny Brett (Fred Astaire) and King Shaw (George Murphy) are at the bottom of the heap, and barely scraping by in dance halls. When a producer, Bob Casey (Frank Morgan), catches sight of Brett's moves, he wants to cast him as the dance partner of the Broadway star Clare Bennett (Eleanor Powell). However, after some misdirection and confusion, Shaw becomes Bennett's partner instead, but Brett still has some dancing to do when Shaw fails to perform.
Director
Norman Taurog
Producer
Jack Cummings
Screenwriter
Leon Gordon, George Oppenheimer
Production Co
Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, Loew's Inc.
Genre
Musical
Original Language
English
Release Date (Streaming)
Jan 1, 2008
Runtime
1h 42m
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