Broadway Thru a Keyhole

"Broadway Through a Keyhole" is an infrequently rewarding B musical, made for Fox before it became known as 20th Century Fox. I never heard of it before but since it is a Fox musical it aroused my interest and I had to see it.

It is directed by Lowell Sherman ("Morning Glory", "She Done Him Wrong") and written by the famous radio announcer and gossip columnist Walter Winchell.

Constance Cummings is the center of the picture as Joan Whelan, the gifted dancer at Texas Guinan's famous Broadway night club. Ms. Cummings displays a certain depth and innocence to her character and really makes fall in love with her. Joan is being promoted by the pompous gangster Frank Rocci in order to woo her, but things get really interesting when Joan becomes infatuated with one of the nightclub's band leader Clark (Russ Columbo).

Not a classic but "Broadway" is very enjoyable for its cast and musical numbers. Look for a young Ann Southern as one of the burlesque dancers.