The Broadway Melody Blu-ray Review
“The Broadway Melody” is influential but doesn’t quite stand the rest of time.
1929’s Best Picture winning “The Broadway Melody” begins with Eddie creating the titular song which he hopes to insert into the revue he is working on. Eddie also hopes to put the Mahoney Sisters Hank and Queenie (who have just arrived in New York) into the show as well. Eddie happens to be engaged to Hank, but he has eyes for Queenie. Eddie isn’t the only who falls for Queenie, however, as a playboy named Jock also begins to woo her. As the Mahoney Sisters adjust to life in NY, they discover the trials and tribulations of getting stage work.
Backstage musicals were a dime a dozen back in the musical genre’s heyday, but “The Broadway Melody” (which spawned 3 unconnected sequels) deserves praise for being among the first. This early talkie musical directed by Harry Beaumont may not be the most visual film ever made, but this musical about putting on a musical (at least partially) and romance has often been imitated. It’s very much a product of its time and it runs needlessly long at 100 minutes (100 minutes of a lot of dialogue ), but it has its charms including likable performances by stars Anita Page and Bessie Love as the Mahoney Sisters.
The highlight by far here is the soundtrack. The title track is an all-time classic. The hit jingle never leaves your head. “Wedding Of The Painted Doll” is another timeless track (you’ll know it when you hear it).
Video/Audio:
Presentation: 1.37:1 1080p. How does it look? The B&W film gets a crisp new transfer.
Audio Track: 2.0 DTS-HD MA. How does it sound? Snowy in spots but adequate.
Extras:
* “The Dogway Melody” MGM musical short film featuring an all-dog cast. Ridiculous but fascinating to watch.
* “Van And Schenck Metro Movietone Act”- A musical act short film.
* “Metro Movietone Review Shorts”- 5 additional shorts
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