Broadway Melody of 1936

A musical that does just what you expect, really. Decent songs, a sarcastic comedy foil (Jack Benny), a romantic couple (Robert Taylor and Eleanor Powell), a couple of talented friends (Buddy and Vilma Ebsen), and a wafer-thin plot which includes female impersonation, silly accents, and a daydream musical sequence.

The 'Broadway Melody' series didn't really tax its viewers with complicated plot lines, but certainly delivered in big spectacle numbers, decent casting of both singers and dancers, and mushy happy endings. Just what America needed during the Depression, and something which has stayed as standard, with slight variation, ever since.

The plot of Broadway MELODY OF 1936 is a classic of its kind. Bob Gordon (popular matinée idol Robert Taylor) is producing a Broadway musical--but he runs afoul of actress and financial backer Lilly Brent (June Knight), who sees herself not only as the star of the show but Bob's ladylove as well. When their "romance" is played up by gossip columnist Bert Keeler (Jack Benny) fireworks ensue, and matters are further complicated by the arrival of Bob's old flame Irene Foster (Eleanor Powell) who has come to make her fortune as a dancer on the Great White Way.

The twists and turns of the story are fairly obvious and the outcome is a foregone conclusion--like many Hollywood musicals of the mid-1930s the story really exists as an excuse for comic turns and musical numbers--but the film has a great deal of charm and catches a host of performers moving up to stardom. The big news here is Eleanor Powell and Jack Benny, both fairly new to film and both somewhat stiff in front of the camera... but whatever their faults in this film there's no denying that Powell clearly poised to become a great musical star or that Benny is a comic genius in the making.

Powell, Taylor, and Benny are backed by a truly solid host of character actors and cameo performers, most notably Sid Silvers, Una Merkle, Frances Langford, and Harry Stockwell. But most film buffs will be particularly interested in the brother-sister team of Buddy and Vilma Ebsen, a popular vaudeville act; Vilma would soon retire, but Buddy's scruffy look, dunderheaded comedy, and hilariously eccentric dance style would propel him to a series of popular musicals and a very long career indeed. The musical numbers--which include such perennials as "Broadway Melody," "You are My Lucky Star," and "Gotta Feeling You're Fooling"--are all lots of fun to hear and see as well.

When all is said and done, Broadway MELODY OF 1936 is hardly a "classic musical;" it is too disjointed, too cliché in plot and character to measure up to the truly great musicals of the era. But it is quite a bit of fun, and hardcore 1930s musical fans should enjoy it quite a bit.

Gary F. Taylor, aka GFT, Amazon Reviewer

The songs in this film are classics. "Dream of You", "Lucky Star" are just two of the best every written. The choreography is what you learn to expect from the likes of Eleanor Powell, Buddy Ebsen and Nick Lang. And you get a rare chance to glimpse the talents of Vilma Ebsen, Buddy's sister. (One of the few negatives of the film is Vilma's lack of acting ability. But this is a very small distraction.)

Robert Taylor is his silky smooth self. Normally easy to dislike in other films, his character (the producer) comes off as likable and honest.

If you are an Una Merkel fan, as I am, she would be reason enough to spend the time watching this picture. She is her adorable self, as Taylor's secretary.

Powell shows up as an ex girl friend from Albany, with stars in her eyes, looking for a break in show business, only to be turned away by Taylor, who honestly believes Broadway is no place for this innocent. Eleanor has a tough time emoting with the veteran actors here, and her shallow acting talent can be a little grating at times. But her dancing and off beat beauty far over ride any real distractions.

Jack Benny has a chance to display an edgier side; one which we are not used to seeing from him, and it both surprising and gratifying to see how well he carried it off.

This is one of those films you can dust off and watch any time you're feeling the need for a shot of simpler, easier times.

The movie musical of the 1930s studio system period arguably offered the only 100% use of the film medium. ‘All singing, all dancing, all talking' was not then simply a catch phrase; it was what the audience demanded, entertainment pure and simple, 70 minutes or more, during which time they could escape the lingering effects of the Depression. Although Warner Brothers and Busby Berkeley were responsible for the rise and rise of the 1930s musical, MGM came out with ‘Broadway Melody of 1936' which subtly lifted the genre a step higher through the talents of the greatest dancer ever to appear on the screen, Eleanor Powell. Fred had grace (and Ginger) and Gene had strength but Eleanor had both grace AND strength. She needed no partner, either!

Three numbers stand out in ‘Broadway Melody of 1936'. The first, ‘Broadway Rhythm', is a hypnotic combination of music and dance which stands the test of time well no matter how you approach it. For example, the lighting and photography is simply stunning, not unusual from the best musical crew available at any Hollywood studio at the time - possibly any time. The musical backing is likewise; this is a number I've watched and listened to hundreds of times without loss of enjoyment. Francis Langford's wonderful (dubbed for Eleanor) voice grips you and before too much longer, once Eleanor moves onto the dance floor, you are swept up in the feeling of the times. It's difficult to believe this was her first starring role; as Eleanor dances into the camera, her eyes sparkling, you know she's dancing just to please you. There IS love at first sight and this surely must have been the effect on audiences back in the 1930s who took this great performer into their hearts, as box office takings proved. In addition to Eleanor, we have the lovely June Knight dancing with Nick Long, Jr and these two are great together. What a pity they never paired in any other movies. Likewise, Buddy Ebsen and sister Vilma, who are a terrific duo. Yes, I could probably write a book on this number.

‘I've Got a Feelin' You're Foolin' is equally as memorable as ‘Broadway Rhythm' for similar reasons. Technically marvellous (how were the ‘pop-up' effects achieved?) and great fun to watch, we have the sight of arguably the most handsome guy ever to grace the movies, Robert Taylor, bursting into song and yes, he's good, helped by the words of a great song. Stage actress June Knight is a perfect partner, with her facial expressions adding another dimension to the experience. The refrain brings Nick Long, Jr on stage for a knock-em down performance, the first part of which sees him seemingly bouncing with little effort over a row of chorus girls, one by one, followed by a double pirouette. Then comes the return of a sensual June Knight encased in the sexiest dress ever to grace the screen (just my opinion), white and complicated though split to the waist at the front. June and Nick then go into a dance in which the lady offers herself to the gentleman in a manner similar to that seen in films of wildlife in the African jungle. June spins into the camera and my, what a great set of legs!

Finally, ‘You are My Lucky Star' sees Eleanor Powell (voiced by Francis Langford) follow up the song with an exhibition of ballet which must have left the audience with heads spinning. So many memorable moments in one movie and a lot of hard work for the participants, according to Eleanor in an interview with John Kobal (‘People Will Talk', Aurum Publishing, 1986). For this third number she often had to remove blood-soaked ballet slippers at the end of the day and soak her feet in ice. Originally production of the movie shoot was supposed to last a month (for which Eleanor asked a fee of $1250) but it eventually ran for four months. The final result, though, was a 7-year contact from Louis Mayer for Eleanor.

Although this movie hasn't arrived on DVD, it's only a matter of time. The three numbers reviewed are available on the special 2-disc edition of ‘Singing in the Rain', being songs sourced for the later movie.

Robert Taylor is a Broadway producer and Eleanor Powell is his ex-girlfriend from Albany who wants a chance in his Broadway show in "Broadway Melody of 1936," also starring Jack Benny, Sid Silvers, Buddy and Vilma Ebsen, June Keith, Frances Langford, and Una Merkel.

The plot is thin, as it often is with a musical is all singing and dancing, so who cares. But this plot is extra fun - Benny, as a columnist, creates a fake French star, La Belle Arlette (the name of his cigar) to tantalize Taylor, who can't find a lead for his new show.

When Taylor's secretary finds Benny's assistant, played by Sid Silvers, sleeping in Arlette drag with a cigarette hanging out of his mouth, she knows it's a hoax. In the meantime, Taylor refuses to give sweet, unspoiled Parker a chance and escorts her to the train to Albany. Soon afterward, he meets Arlette, a fabulous singer and tap dancer.

The songs include The Broadway Melody." "You Are My Lucky Star." "I Gotta Feelin' You're Foolin'," "Sing Before Breakfast," "All I Do Is Dream of You," "On a Sunday Afternoon," "Broadway Rhythm." "I Gotta Feelin' You're Foolin'" won the Academy Award for best dance direction.

Funny thing about MGM - they let their non-singing leading men do their own singing and dubbed their non-singing female stars. Taylor actually sings in this, and, like Jimmy Stewart, his voice is pleasant enough. Taylor is stunning, no doubt in the film for box office.

Powell is fantastic - great dancing - not just tap but ballet - and her comedy is wonderful. Have to say I LOVED both her disguise and disguised persona. For some reason, I much prefer this to "Born to Dance," but don't ask me why. It was also a pleasure to see a young Frances Langford and Ebsen dance with his sister, who would soon retire.

A real treat.