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The Barkleys of Broadway

Play trailer Poster for The Barkleys of Broadway 1949 1h 49m Musical Play Trailer Watchlist
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55% Tomatometer 11 Reviews 71% Popcornmeter 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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The Barkleys of Broadway

Critics Reviews

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Bob Thomas Associated Press 07/24/2019
Barkleys of Broadway reunites one of filmdom's happiest teamings Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers. They have had happier pictures than this one. Go to Full Review Don Druker Chicago Reader 01/01/2000
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. Go to Full Review Josh Larsen LarsenOnFilm 01/22/2017
2/4
...of interest as a possible peek into Rogers and Astaire's actual working relationship. Go to Full Review Emanuel Levy EmanuelLevy.Com 03/24/2012
C+
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. Go to Full Review Steve Crum Video-Reviewmaster.com 02/18/2008
5/5
Astaire and Rogers last teaming, and full of wit, music, dance, and comedy. Go to Full Review Dennis Schwartz Dennis Schwartz Movie Reviews 05/19/2007
C+
It doesn't help that the music by Harry Warren and Ira Gershwin is slight. Go to Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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acsdoug D @acsdoug 07/26/2023 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. See more steve d 01/09/2023 Without Ginger Rogers it wouldn't work at all. See more 01/27/2019 The best musical movie ever made! See more 02/02/2016 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." See more 09/03/2015 Fred & Ginger - a delight as always. See more ashley h @ashleyhobgood87 06/30/2015 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. See more Read all reviews
The Barkleys of Broadway

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Cast & Crew

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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

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The Barkleys of Broadway

The Barkleys of Broadway (1949) The Barkleys of Broadway (1949) View more photos

Movie Info

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
Screenwriter
Sidney Sheldon, Betty Comden, Adolph Green
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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