The Barkleys of Broadway

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The Barkleys of Broadway

Released May 4, 1949

1h 49m

Musical

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55%

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11 Reviews

71%

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1,000+ Ratings

Josh (Fred Astaire) and Dinah Barkley (Ginger Rogers) are a famous musical theater duo, but an argument on the opening night of their newest Broadway show reveals previously unspoken resentments. Dinah feels overshadowed by Josh, so when flirtatious playwright Jacques Pierre Barredout (Jacques François) suggests she play the lead in his new drama about Sarah Bernhardt, she separates from Josh and endeavors to become a serious actress. Can producer Ezra Miller (Oscar Levant) reunite the duo?

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Bob Thomas

Associated Press

Barkleys of Broadway reunites one of filmdom's happiest teamings Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers. They have had happier pictures than this one.

Jul 24, 2019

Full Review

Don Druker

Chicago Reader

It isn't very witty - although it's supposed to be - and it isn't really satire, in the sense of Singin' in the Rain or The Band Wagon.

Jan 1, 2000

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Josh Larsen

LarsenOnFilm

...of interest as a possible peek into Rogers and Astaire's actual working relationship.

Rated: 2/4

Jan 22, 2017

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Emanuel Levy

EmanuelLevy.Com

Though one of their weakest teaming, it's worth seeing this late (and last) Astaire-Rogers musical for historical reasons; Rogers replaced the ailing Judy Garland.

Rated: C+

Mar 24, 2012

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Steve Crum

Video-Reviewmaster.com

Astaire and Rogers last teaming, and full of wit, music, dance, and comedy.

Rated: 5/5

Feb 18, 2008

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Dennis Schwartz

Dennis Schwartz Movie Reviews

It doesn't help that the music by Harry Warren and Ira Gershwin is slight.

Rated: C+

May 19, 2007

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acsdoug D

While I've always been a Ginger Rogers fan I always thought of her as a dancer and not an actress (admittedly I haven't seen her Oscar winning performance in Kitty Foyle). However, she shows some real acting chops in this one, good for her. Fred Astaire was 50 years old when this movie came out. He still had the moves of a man half his age. Remarkable.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

07/26/23

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steve d

Without Ginger Rogers it wouldn't work at all.

Rated 2 out of 5 stars

03/30/23

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Audience Member

The best musical movie ever made!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

02/26/23

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Audience Member

Astaire & Rogers' first film together after a ten-year hiatus has all the Technicolor and style that one would expect from an MGM musical but none of the wit or charm of the dance team's early RKO musicals; the musical highlights include "My One and Only Highland Fling" and Astaire's big solo number "Shoes with Wings On."

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

02/27/23

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Audience Member

Fred & Ginger - a delight as always.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

01/24/23

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ashley h

The Barkleys of Broadway is an amazing film. It is about a successful but constantly-feuding husband and wife musical comedy team. Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers give incredible performances. The screenplay is well written. Charles Walters did a great job directing this movie. I enjoyed watching this motion picture because of the music and romance. The Barkleys of Broadway is a must see.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

03/31/23

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Charles Walters

Director

Fred Astaire

Josh Barkley

Ginger Rogers

Dinah Barkley

Oscar Levant

Ezra Millar

Billie Burke

Mrs. Livingston Belney

Gale Robbins

Shirlene May

Words and Music

14%

61%

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Synopsis

Josh (Fred Astaire) and Dinah Barkley (Ginger Rogers) are a famous musical theater duo, but an argument on the opening night of their newest Broadway show reveals previously unspoken resentments. Dinah feels overshadowed by Josh, so when flirtatious playwright Jacques Pierre Barredout (Jacques François) suggests she play the lead in his new drama about Sarah Bernhardt, she separates from Josh and endeavors to become a serious actress. Can producer Ezra Miller (Oscar Levant) reunite the duo?

Director: Charles Walters
Producer: Arthur Freed
Distributor: Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer
Production Co: Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer
Genre: Musical
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): May 4, 1949, Original
Release Date (Streaming): Nov 21, 2016
Runtime: 1h 49m

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