Broadway Bill

G

Released Nov 30, 1934

1h 30m

Romance

Comedy

List

100%

Tomatometer

9 Reviews

58%

Audience Score

100+ Ratings

Gambler Dan Brooks (Warner Baxter) is married to Margaret (Helen Vinson), the daughter of a factory owner (Walter Connolly), but is more interested in horse racing than joining the family business. One day, Dan decides to go from betting on races to competing in them when he purchases an unimpressive horse. Though his wife is fed up with him, Dan gets support from his sister-in-law, Princess (Myrna Loy), and stableman Whitey (Clarence Muse) as they try to turn the loser horse into a winner.

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Otis Ferguson

The New Republic

It is nice to see someone stand on his own legs and abuse the filthy rich, and the horse race is pretty exciting: but anyone can do that. Where the film stands out is for its incidental human warmth and naturalness.

Jan 22, 2024

Full Review

Jonathan Rosenbaum

Chicago Reader

Capra’s skill with bit players here is as important as his handling of stars elsewhere; he builds suspense at key moments with a fleet rock-skipping effect in the editing rhythms, which can only be brought about through careful attention...

Jun 2, 2022

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Meyer Levin (Patterson Murphy)

Esquire Magazine

The news is that Broadway Bill has that informal and unstudied touch. Also some of the best horse-racing atmosphere ever shot. Also the pleasant Myrna Loy...

Apr 20, 2020

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Ann Ross

Maclean's Magazine

Broadway Bill may not make a racing enthusiast out of you. But it will throw considerable light on the psychology of track fanatics in general.

Oct 2, 2019

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Helen Brown Norden

Vanity Fair

A new Frank Capra picture which is entertaining enough, but by no means another It Happened One Night.

Jun 7, 2019

Full Review

Steve Crum

Video-Reviewmaster.com

Fine, early Capra--basis for later Crosby musical 'Riding High' (also Capra directed).

Rated: 4/5

Jan 1, 2008

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Audience Member

"Broadway Bill" is one of Frank Capra's lesser known gems. Made in 1934 and starring Warner Baxter and Myrna Loy, it is the story of a man who is willing to walk away from a life of wealth to follow his dream. In many ways it is the typical Capra film. Adapted from a story by Mark Hellinger, "Broadway Bill" has all of the feel and characters one might expect from a Damon Runyon tale. Baxter as the owner of Broadway Bill and Loy as his sister-in-law, who is also in love with him are first rate. As are Walter Connolly, Clarence Muse, and especially Raymond Walburn, who walks off with the best role. Dated and a little sappy, but full of good cheer from start to finish.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

02/08/23

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Audience Member

Fun little comedy from Frank Capra about Warner Baxter risking his marriage and future with a wealthy family by investing his time and money into a racehorse, Broadway Bill. No one believes in him except for his wife's sister, the great Myrna Loy. It's not a Capra classic, but the fun cast and Capra's light touch make this fun if light entertainment.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

01/31/23

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Audience Member

Capra's follow-up 2 his smash hit, 'it happened one night"

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

01/21/23

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Audience Member

Loy is cute in this movie. Although the story is predictable and I really don't like horse movies, this movie was entertaining, well acted, and funny at times.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

01/22/23

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Audience Member

A funny and heartfelt film. There is a great cast and they work together well. I suppose I didn't rate this movie higher for one reason: I hate horse movies. I couldn't care less about the horse in the movie, and so the race track scenes were boring for me. If you like horse movies and/or comedies starring Myrna Loy, I recommend this movie.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

01/26/23

Full Review

Audience Member

Another dumb app! Warner Baxter and Myrna Loy are the stars of this film, and should be listed first. Great movie. Capra never liked it, I've read. Which proves he was not his own best critic.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

02/12/23

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Frank Capra

Director

Warner Baxter

Dan Brooks

Myrna Loy

Alice Higgins

Walter Connolly

J.L. Higgins

Helen Vinson

Margaret

Clarence Muse

Whitey

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Synopsis

Gambler Dan Brooks (Warner Baxter) is married to Margaret (Helen Vinson), the daughter of a factory owner (Walter Connolly), but is more interested in horse racing than joining the family business. One day, Dan decides to go from betting on races to competing in them when he purchases an unimpressive horse. Though his wife is fed up with him, Dan gets support from his sister-in-law, Princess (Myrna Loy), and stableman Whitey (Clarence Muse) as they try to turn the loser horse into a winner.

Director: Frank Capra
Screenwriter: Mark Hellinger, Robert Riskin, Sidney Buchman
Distributor: Columbia Pictures, Paramount Pictures
Production Co: Columbia Pictures Corporation
Rating: G
Genre: Romance, Comedy
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Nov 30, 1934, Wide
Release Date (DVD): Aug 31, 2004
Runtime: 1h 30m
Sound Mix: Mono
Aspect Ratio: 35mm, Flat (1.37:1)