The fourth and final entry in MGM’s “Broadway Melody” series, Broadway Melody of 1940 is notable for being the only on-screen pairing of Fred Astaire and Eleanor Powell, the finest musical dancers of their time.
It was directed by Norman Taurog and features music by Cole Porter, including “Begin the Beguine” The set for that number cost $120,000 to construct, utilizing sixty-foot multi-paneled mirror mounted on revolving track to change backgrounds.
The Premise:
Johnny Brett and King Shaw, dance team down on their luck, are working in dance hall for no money, while Clare Bennett is a big Broadway star. Owing to mistaken identity, Shaw is offered to be Clare’s dancing partner, when Johnny’s dancing was really what producer Bob Casey wanted.
The partnership breaks up, but Johnny helps out King. Clare realizes that Johnny, not King, is the better dancer, and she falls in love with him. When Shaw gets drunk on opening night, Johnny steps in and saves the show, though he lets King think he did it himself. Just before the next show, Clare discovers King drunk again, and Johnny becomes the permanent replacement. After the show, they find out that King was pretending to be drunk so that Johnny would get the job.
Broadway Melody of 1940 was based on a story by Jack McGowan and Dore Schary, who would be head of production (1948) and then president (1951) of MGM until 1956.
The film was originally planned to be shot in Technicolor, but because of World War II, MGM decided to stick to black and white.
The film was the fourth and final entry in MGM’s loosely connected series, which began with the The Broadway Melody released in 1929, and was followed by Broadway Melody of 1936 and Broadway Melody of 1938.
The films were unconnected except for the use of the song “Broadway Melody” (the 1940 entry features a bit of it, over the opening credits).
Eleanor Powell starred in the 1936, 1938 and 1940 entries, playing different roles in each picture.
The 1940 entry is considered Powell’s last major successful film–she would later appear in moderate hits before retiring from the screen.
Astaire and Powell
Astaire had just left RKO, and Broadway Melody of 1940 was his first film for MGM since his small part in 1933’s Dancing Lady. Astaire was intimidated by Powell because she was capable of out-performing Astaire. According to Powell in the book, The MGM Story, the feeling was somewhat mutual. Powell recalled finally saying to Astaire, “Look, we can’t go on like this. I’m Ellie; you’re Fred. We’re just two hoofers,” after which, they got along well.
Cast
Fred Astaire as Johnny Brett
Eleanor Powell as Clare Bennett
George Murphy as King Shaw
Frank Morgan as Bob Casey
Ian Hunter as Bert C. Matthews
Florence Rice as Amy Blake, Casey’s Secretary
Lynne Carver as Emmy Lou Lee
Ann Morriss as Pearl Delonge
Trixie Firschke as Juggler
Musical numbers
“Please Don’t Monkey with Broadway” – words/music by Cole Porter, sung and danced by Astaire and Murphy
“All Ashore” – words/music by Roger Edens, sung by Powell, one of few times she sang with her own voice rather than overdubbed.
“Between You and Me” – words/music by Cole Porter, sung by Murphy, danced by Murphy and Powell
“I’ve Got My Eyes on You” – words/music by Cole Porter, sung/danced Astaire
“Jukebox Dance” – words/music by Walter Ruick, danced by Powell and Astaire, was Powell’s all-time favorite filmed dances.
“I Concentrate on You” – words/music by Cole Porter, sung by Douglas McPhail, danced by Powell and Astaire
“Begin the Beguine” – words/music by Cole Porter, sung in two styles as part of the film’s final musical piece. The song is first sung in dramatic style by mezzo-soprano Lois Hodnon on a “tropical” set, with Powell, joined by Astaire dancing in side-by-side, their choreography drawing on flamenco dance. Later, after it is sung in contemporary jazz style by The Music Maids, Astaire and Powell tap dance to a big band accompaniment; the sequence includes a passage in which they tap dance with no musical accompaniment.
The big-band/jazz segment was featured in the 1974 That’s Entertainment!, the last of MGM’s big black-and-white production numbers.
“I’ve Got My Eyes on You” (instrumental and choral reprise) – danced by Astaire, Powell and Murphy
