Broadway Melody 1936: Naissance d'une étoile

Original title: Broadway Melody of 1936

1935
Approved
1h 41m

IMDb RATING

6.7/10

2.2K

YOUR RATING

Eleanor Powell in Broadway Melody 1936: Naissance d'une étoile (1935)

Play trailer4:21

1 Video

28 Photos

Comedy Musical Romance

A Broadway producer is reluctant to hire his high school sweetheart for the leading role in a new show, so she decides to take advantage of a rumor started by a gossip columnist.A Broadway producer is reluctant to hire his high school sweetheart for the leading role in a new show, so she decides to take advantage of a rumor started by a gossip columnist.A Broadway producer is reluctant to hire his high school sweetheart for the leading role in a new show, so she decides to take advantage of a rumor started by a gossip columnist.

Directors
- Roy Del Ruth
- W.S. Van Dyke
Writers
Stars

See production info at IMDbPro

IMDb RATING

6.7/10

2.2K

YOUR RATING

Directors
- Roy Del Ruth
- W.S. Van Dyke
Writers
Stars

See production info at IMDbPro

Won 1 Oscar
- 1 win & 2 nominations total

Videos1

Trailer 4:21

Trailer

Photos28

+ 22

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Storyline

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Did you know

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Trivia
Eleanor Powell was spotted in a Fox screen test by MGM studio chief Louis B. Mayer, who, due to the grainy quality of the test, initially thought she was African-American. Once Fox cast her in George White's Scandals (1934), MGM made its move. Reportedly, Powell did not want to participate in Broadway Melody 1936: Naissance d'une étoile (1935), as she was slated for the non-dancing role eventually played by Una Merkel. Too much of a neophyte to confront the studio executives, she engineered her dismissal by politely demanding the lead role and an exorbitant salary, and she was shocked when the studio met her terms, paving the way for her meteoric film career.

Goofs
During the "breakfast on the roof" scene, new clothes appear and others disappear behind Buddy Ebsen, with different camera cuts. (In the beginning, a dress appears at his left, while the dangling stockings disappear at the end, and in between, the dress comes and goes.)

Quotes
Bert Keeler: Well of all the dumb guys...
Snoop: Don't worry about Corbett, she won't tip the gag, she said so.
Bert Keeler: Just the same I gotta find out who this Arlette dame is that Gordon's got signed up.
Snoop: Well whadda ya want me to do?
Bert Keeler: Go down to the ocean and pull a wave over your head!

Alternate versions
A 14,000 feet long print was shown as preview in early August 1935 in several Californian cinemas. It included, at least three additional songs.

Connections
Edited into Grand Central Murder (1942)

Soundtracks
Broadway Rhythm
(1935) (uncredited)
Music by Nacio Herb Brown
Lyrics by Arthur Freed
Played during the opening credits
Danced to by a chorus at rehearsal
Sung by Frances Langford at the nightclub
Danced to by Buddy Ebsen, Vilma Ebsen, June Knight, Nick Long Jr. and Eleanor Powell at the nightclub

User reviews36

Featured review

8/10

One of the glitziest musicals ever produced.

The songs in this film are classics. "Dream of You", "Lucky Star" are just two of the best every written. The choreography is what you learn to expect from the likes of Eleanor Powell, Buddy Ebsen and Nick Lang. And you get a rare chance to glimpse the talents of Vilma Ebsen, Buddy's sister. (One of the few negatives of the film is Vilma's lack of acting ability. But this is a very small distraction.)

Robert Taylor is his silky smooth self. Normally easy to dislike in other films, his character (the producer) comes off as likable and honest.

If you are an Una Merkel fan, as I am, she would be reason enough to spend the time watching this picture. She is her adorable self, as Taylor's secretary.

Powell shows up as an ex girl friend from Albany, with stars in her eyes, looking for a break in show business, only to be turned away by Taylor, who honestly believes Broadway is no place for this innocent. Eleanor has a tough time emoting with the veteran actors here, and her shallow acting talent can be a little grating at times. But her dancing and off beat beauty far over ride any real distractions.

Jack Benny has a chance to display an edgier side; one which we are not used to seeing from him, and it both surprising and gratifying to see how well he carried it off.

This is one of those films you can dust off and watch any time you're feeling the need for a shot of simpler, easier times.