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Chronologically speaking, I am skipping a few films by jumping to The Broadway Melody. In between I have missed Syncopation, Fox Movietone Follies of 1929, and Innocents of Paris. All these films are potentially lost, and in a recent book Hollywood Musicals Year by Year (3rd Edition), do not even receive a mention. This is the frustration of living on the wrong side of the planet to the movie archives, and the limits of historical research. Not everything is available online, and not everything is even preserved!
The Broadway Melody of 1929 marks a leap in the style of the movie musical. It is the first 100% sound movie musical, the first musical to win Best Picture at the Oscar’s, and it is considered the first movie musical to use an integrated score. The score contains now well-known pieces such as “You Were Meant For Me”, “Wedding of the Painted Doll”, and of course, the title song “Broadway Melody”. It was the first movie musical, and indeed first talkie, for MGM, and already we can see the slick style, gorgeous costumes, and memorable tunes which later make MGM the leading producer of movie musicals. It was advertised as the first “ALL TALKING! AL SINGNG! ALL DANCING!” film, and by all accounts, audiences flocked to see it and loved it.
As a modern day viewer, I loved watching this film. Like all the other films watched thus far, the story focuses around backstage drama and the desire to be on Broadway. We have divas, flamboyant costume designers, tempers, glitz and glamour, and plenty of humour. The performances are lively and spirited. Unlike its predecessors, The Broadway Melody is not a star vehicle, and each actor shines in their role. Bessie Love as the determined Hank is gorgeous, and she was deservedly nominated for an Oscar for Best Actress for her performance. Charles King, an established Vaudeville and Broadway actor, as Eddie is charming, and Jed Prouty as Uncle Jed is endearing.
Historians point out that this is the first film to use an integrated score, however this only occurs once in the film. Most musical numbers are performances within the story, such as Eddie performing his new number for Mr Zanfield, and the Broadway revues, and the front on camera shots, as though filming a Broadway stage, reflect this. Almost an hour into the proceedings Eddie and Queenie are in a heated conversation and Eddie bursts into the song “You Were Meant for Me”, sharing his feelings for Queenie. This use of integrated song works well, however stands out because it is the only number used in such a way in the film. With music by Nacio Herb Brown and lyrics by Arthur Freed, the other aforementioned tunes throughout the film are gorgeous. Arthur Freed will keep popping up as we travel down this yellow brick road of movie musical history, as the producer of many MGM movie musicals including The Wizard of Oz, Singin’ in the Rain, Easter Parade, Meet Me in St Louis and On the Town to name just a few.
Two musical numbers from the show within the show, the Zanfield Revue, “Wedding of the Painted Doll” (apparently originally filmed in two-tone technicolour, but this footage has since been destroyed or lost), and “The Boy Friend” appear to be inserted into the film simply for the sake of having some sparkly song and dance numbers. They are lavish and beautiful, but do not progress the plot or give us insight to the characters. The dance numbers feature plenty of chorus girls in short shorts and stunning costumes and it is escapist entertainment at its best. My favourite dance number is a short tap routine on pointe. There is something unpolished and raw about the filming of the routine, and the performance itself, and it is exciting and pleasing to watch.
The plot drags slightly, and at times feels a little unbelievable, but the story is touching and full of heart. A fun film, and one that I feel really sets the ball rolling for the movie musical genre. Exciting times ahead!
The Broadway Melody of 1929 marks a leap in the style of the movie musical. It is the first 100% sound movie musical, the first musical to win Best Picture at the Oscar’s, and it is considered the first movie musical to use an integrated score. The score contains now well-known pieces such as “You Were Meant For Me”, “Wedding of the Painted Doll”, and of course, the title song “Broadway Melody”. It was the first movie musical, and indeed first talkie, for MGM, and already we can see the slick style, gorgeous costumes, and memorable tunes which later make MGM the leading producer of movie musicals. It was advertised as the first “ALL TALKING! AL SINGNG! ALL DANCING!” film, and by all accounts, audiences flocked to see it and loved it.
As a modern day viewer, I loved watching this film. Like all the other films watched thus far, the story focuses around backstage drama and the desire to be on Broadway. We have divas, flamboyant costume designers, tempers, glitz and glamour, and plenty of humour. The performances are lively and spirited. Unlike its predecessors, The Broadway Melody is not a star vehicle, and each actor shines in their role. Bessie Love as the determined Hank is gorgeous, and she was deservedly nominated for an Oscar for Best Actress for her performance. Charles King, an established Vaudeville and Broadway actor, as Eddie is charming, and Jed Prouty as Uncle Jed is endearing.
Historians point out that this is the first film to use an integrated score, however this only occurs once in the film. Most musical numbers are performances within the story, such as Eddie performing his new number for Mr Zanfield, and the Broadway revues, and the front on camera shots, as though filming a Broadway stage, reflect this. Almost an hour into the proceedings Eddie and Queenie are in a heated conversation and Eddie bursts into the song “You Were Meant for Me”, sharing his feelings for Queenie. This use of integrated song works well, however stands out because it is the only number used in such a way in the film. With music by Nacio Herb Brown and lyrics by Arthur Freed, the other aforementioned tunes throughout the film are gorgeous. Arthur Freed will keep popping up as we travel down this yellow brick road of movie musical history, as the producer of many MGM movie musicals including The Wizard of Oz, Singin’ in the Rain, Easter Parade, Meet Me in St Louis and On the Town to name just a few.
Two musical numbers from the show within the show, the Zanfield Revue, “Wedding of the Painted Doll” (apparently originally filmed in two-tone technicolour, but this footage has since been destroyed or lost), and “The Boy Friend” appear to be inserted into the film simply for the sake of having some sparkly song and dance numbers. They are lavish and beautiful, but do not progress the plot or give us insight to the characters. The dance numbers feature plenty of chorus girls in short shorts and stunning costumes and it is escapist entertainment at its best. My favourite dance number is a short tap routine on pointe. There is something unpolished and raw about the filming of the routine, and the performance itself, and it is exciting and pleasing to watch.
The plot drags slightly, and at times feels a little unbelievable, but the story is touching and full of heart. A fun film, and one that I feel really sets the ball rolling for the movie musical genre. Exciting times ahead!
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