Broadway Melody of 1940

Play trailer

Broadway Melody of 1940

1940

1h 42m

Musical

Play Trailer

Watchlist

Watchlist

Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

80%

Tomatometer

5 Reviews

80%

Popcornmeter

1,000+ Ratings

In New York City, the dance team of Johnny Brett (Fred Astaire) and King Shaw (George Murphy) are at the bottom of the heap, and barely scraping by in dance halls. When a producer, Bob Casey (Frank Morgan), catches sight of Brett's moves, he wants to cast him as the dance partner of the Broadway star Clare Bennett (Eleanor Powell). However, after some misdirection and confusion, Shaw becomes Bennett's partner instead, but Brett still has some dancing to do when Shaw fails to perform.

Watch on Fandango at Home

Stream Now

Mattie Lucas

From the Front Row

(The) final number "Begin the Beguine" is perhaps one (Astaire's) most graceful set pieces, but the film itself feels rather tired, and the formula for these large scale showbiz musicals that dazzled in the 1930s was beginning to wear thin.

Rated: 2.5/4

May 4, 2021

Full Review

Matt Brunson

Film Frenzy

Cole Porter contributes a handful of tunes, with the showstopper being the climactic presentation of "Begin the Beguine" - sung and staged not once but twice.

Rated: 3/4

Apr 23, 2021

Full Review

Sean Axmaker

Seanax.com

... another ridiculous story that justifies itself in the historic one-time-only pairing of MGM's Queen of Tap Powell and the cinematic grace incarnate Fred Astaire.

Apr 6, 2008

Full Review

Susan Granger

www.susangranger.com

Rated: 4/5

Oct 5, 2006

Full Review

Emanuel Levy

EmanuelLevy.Com

Rated: 2/5

Jun 13, 2005

Full Review

Read all reviews

Eli K

Can't put under List tag.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

07/16/24

Full Review

Audience Member

Better than the original Oscar winning film the story was simple but decent enough and the actors and actresses have charm I don't like dancing so skipped all those scenes.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

01/28/23

Full Review

william d

Astaire and Powell! Together! Who needs a plot?

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

03/31/23

Full Review

steve d

If you want a story with your dancing look elsewhere.

Rated 2 out of 5 stars

03/30/23

Full Review

Audience Member

The best musical movie ever made! With the best movie song ever sung: Begin the Beguine!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

02/26/23

Full Review

Audience Member

Wonderful showcase for Fred Astaire's astonishing tap-dancing. Here he's partnered with the equally fleet Eleanor Powell and George Murphy in a typical backstage melodrama. Very attractively performed by the entire cast, and sprinkled with bonkers comedy spots. Great stuff.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

01/27/23

Full Review

Read all reviews

Read More

Read Less

POST RATING

WRITE A REVIEW

EDIT REVIEW

Norman Taurog

Director

Fred Astaire

Johnny Brett

Eleanor Powell

Clare Bennett

George Murphy

King Shaw

Frank Morgan

Bob Casey

Ian Hunter

Bert C. Matthews

View more photos

Synopsis

In New York City, the dance team of Johnny Brett (Fred Astaire) and King Shaw (George Murphy) are at the bottom of the heap, and barely scraping by in dance halls. When a producer, Bob Casey (Frank Morgan), catches sight of Brett's moves, he wants to cast him as the dance partner of the Broadway star Clare Bennett (Eleanor Powell). However, after some misdirection and confusion, Shaw becomes Bennett's partner instead, but Brett still has some dancing to do when Shaw fails to perform.

Director: Norman Taurog
Producer: Jack Cummings
Screenwriter: Leon Gordon, George Oppenheimer
Production Co: Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, Loew's Inc.
Genre: Musical
Original Language: English
Release Date (Streaming): Jan 1, 2008
Runtime: 1h 42m

Most Popular at Home Now