The Broadway Melody (1929)
(Harry Beaumont, US 1929, 100 min., 35mm)
MGM’s first backstage musical romance, The Broadway Melody features original songs by composer Herb Nacio Brown and lyricist Arthur Freed, who went on to produce many of the studio’s most memorable musicals. The film marks the premieres of the title song, “You Were Meant for Me,” and “The Wedding of the Painted Doll,” in addition to utilizing George M. Cohan’s “Give My Regards to Broadway.” Bessie Love and Anita Page play sister act Hank and Queenie Mahoney from Reading, PA, who arrive in New York City expecting to make it big. Hank is dating Eddie Kearns (Charles King), a songwriter and performer about to get his break on Broadway, and who may be able to bring the sisters along with him. As the show nears its premiere, Queenie finds herself with multiple suitors that could break up the act for good. The “Painted Doll” musical number is pure MGM spectacle.
Introduction by Michael Lasser.