Melodia da Broadway de 1940

The only movie that starred Eleanor Powell and Fred Astaire, with both at their absolute best. The lines, the ryhythm, the syncopation, the extremely complex dance routines - in complete accord with the phrases of the music and all its variations - and with their making it look all so easy - especially in the Begin the Beguine finale! you would be hard pressed to find either of them in a better performance.

And let's not forget the exceptional talents of George Murphy - he did an excellent job holding up to the talents of first Fred Astaire (their Broadway song in the nightclub) and then Eleanor Powell (in their waltz number).

My all-time favorite movie.

Even though the story was corny, I loved this movie. It was dancing at its greatest. I have always known that Fred Astaire was the best but only recently did I discover Eleanor Powell, even though she was a star when I was a kid but kids don't enjoy musicals. Powell is the greatest and the best partner Astaire ever had. It is too bad they didn't make more movies together.

This is a movie I would recommend to anyone. It is one I can watch over and over again because the dancing is so fantastic. Even my grandchildren enjoyed this one. I would have given it a 10 but for the story but then every Astaire movie is a fantasy in dance but Powell makes this one a super fantasy.

The pairing of Eleanor Powell and Fred Astaire made for an interesting combination.

In most cases, when Fred danced with anyone, audiences' eyes tended to focus on him rather than his partner. Powell's natural charimsa shifted that norm. Not really taller than Astaire but more solid than his normal partners with very strong, full legs, Powell's presence demanded attention.

Actually, Eleanor didn't really need a dance partner. Like Ann Miller, Powell was a "single," a complete "deal" in one package. Eleanor could do tap, soft shoe, ballet, interpretive and classic with equal aplomb. Her energy and dexterity seemed limitless. Yet when she danced here with Fred, the restaurant and "challenge" dance sequences became classics.

Cole Porter's ravishing "I Concentrate on You" is presented in a beautiful rendition with rich baritone solo and Powell executing endless turns on pointe, all while moving in circles.

George Murphy is seen here at his tap dancing best. Yet while doing all the steps perfectly with Astaire, George's more beefy frame makes him seem more heavy, while Fred appears more facile.

This fun-filled film continues to be shown and enjoyed as a memento of a happy period--at least in terms of Hollywood musicals.

When ELEANOR POWELL and FRED ASTAIRE do their glittering "Begin the Beguine" number on a polished black-mirror floor wearing white outfits and tapping their way through a jazzed up version of the song, they can do no wrong. It's clearly the highlight of the whole musical and well worth waiting for. In fact, it's more than that--it's an iconic musical moment.

The story involves a slight case of mistaken identity that has to be straightened out before Powell can see that FRED ASTAIRE is the man she loves, not GEORGE MURPHY. Poor George always had the secondary role in these things--even with all that talent. It's reminiscent of the treatment he got in FOR ME AND MY GAL with Judy Garland being won by Gene Kelly instead of Murphy.

The reason for the high rating is simply this--FRED ASTAIRE and ELEANOR POWELL are without a doubt two of the greatest talents in the musical genre and their "Begin the Beguine" is the show stopper of show stoppers. Unforgettable.

Nothing else really matters, except to mention that their "Juke Box Dance" is also a treat to watch. Powell really excelled as a solo performer but when she and Astaire do manage to do a duo together it's well worth watching.

The genial supporting cast includes FRANK MORGAN at his blustery best and the lovely FLORENCE RICE, who appeared in quite a few of MGM's "A" films before disappearing from the screen.

I wish that Fred and Eleanor had made more movies together. Fred had many good partners over his career, but Eleanor was the best tap dancing partner. Ginger Rogers was probably the most popular but I feel that was because she was more photogenic and not because she was the best dancer. I myself prefer the tap dancing to the ballroom dancing. Eleanor had no competition in the arena of tap dancing. The story in this movie is no better than any of Fred's other movies. I am only commenting on the dancing. The Broadway Melody of 1940 will never be excelled in what it had to offer. Even Murphy added no small contribution to this movie. I never realized he could tap dance.

Jerry Berry Salida, Co 81201