Broadway Melody of 1940

Amazon.com

One of the most famous tap numbers in film history distinguishes Broadway Melody of 1940, the fourth and final installment in MGM's Broadway Melody series. When Clare Bennett (Eleanor Powell, who had appeared in Broadway Melody of 1936 and 1938) needs a new partner for her hit Broadway show, small-time hoofers Johnny Brett (Fred Astaire in his MGM debut) and King Shaw (George Murphy) get their big chance. But due to a case of mistaken identity, King, rather than the more talented Johnny, gets the job, and the girl. Astaire and Powell can't match the chemistry he had with Ginger Rogers at RKO, but she was the best technical dancer he was ever teamed with, and the sense of fun they share is infectious. Their above-mentioned tap duet to Cole Porter's "Begin the Beguine" is legendary, but there are other fine moments as well: Astaire and Murphy's duet "Please Don't Monkey with Broadway," Powell's athletic number with a chorus of sailors "I Am the Captain," Astaire playing the piano and singing "I've Got My Eyes on You," and his and Powell's high-velocity duet "Jukebox Dance." --David Horiuchi

Customer Reviews:

broadway melody of 1940.......2007-09-17

just plain great!

you will never see a better tap dance...never... than the
begin the beguin number with astair and powell...never!!

Broadway Melody of 1940.......2007-09-10

It would be invidious to select Broadway Melody of 1940 as the best of the films in which Fred Astaire participated. I saw it first in 1940 and have made repeat viewings since; what made it distinctive and one of the top few was the pairing of Fred Astaire with Eleanor Powell plus the music of Cole porter.
Having only recently been introduced to the DVD the first trial sample I chose was Broadway Melody of 1940; the quality of picture and sound was beyond my expectation and those who have converted and enhanced the old films to the new method of exhibition are to be congratulated.

Jack Riddle - New Zealand - 10th September 2007

BUT WHERE ARE THE OTHER 2 BROADWAY MELODIES 1936 & 1938.....AND HOW ABOUT AN ELEANOR POWELL BOX SET, TOO???.......2007-07-06

Doesn't everybody want to hear Judy Garland sing "You Made Me Love You" to Clark Gable's picture from B.M. of 1938? And why is this movie (B.M. of 1940) Eleanor Powell's only one on DVD??? She should have a Box Set released in the near future. Come on, Warner Bros.!

Most Amazing Tap Dancing Ever Seen!.......2007-07-03

This movie is a definite must for those who enjoy tap dancing from beginning to end! It's quite a treat for tap dancers and you may even pick up a shuffle or two!! In my opinion, this is the best Fred Astaire performance I've ever seen.

Broadyway Melody of 1940.......2007-05-18

Wow.....This was such an exciting movie to watch. Eleanor Powell, Fred Astaire, and George Murphy. Eleanor & Fred were amazing. An added bonus of George Murphy...George also danced with Shirley Temple in Little Miss Broadway. Doesn't get much better than that.

Classic Musicals Collection - The Cole Porter Gift Set (High Society / Kiss Me Kate / Les Girls / Broadway Melody of 1940 / Silk Stockings)

Average customer rating:

Honest personal opinion on the Cole Porter Gift Set
two musicals missing in this box set !!!!!
At last, 5 remastered Cole Porter Musicals now on DVD!!
Why Not 'Begin the Beguine' with this GREAT Collection?
Why Not 'Begin the Beguine' with this GREAT Collection?

Classic Musicals Collection - The Cole Porter Gift Set (High Society / Kiss Me Kate / Les Girls / Broadway Melody of 1940 / Silk Stockings)
Starring: Bing Crosby , Grace Kelly , Frank Sinatra , Celeste Holm , and John Lund
Director: Charles Walters , George Sidney (II) , and George Cukor
Manufacturer: Warner Home Video
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Musicals & Performing Arts | Genres | DVD | Video

Musicals & Performing Arts | Boxed Sets | Stores | DVD | Video

Classics | Boxed Sets | Stores | DVD | Video

( C ) | Titles | Features | DVD | Video
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ASIN: B00008WQ9L
Release Date: 2003-04-22

Amazon.com

The Cole Porter Collection provides an overview of the swellegant songwriter's witty lyrics and well-known melodies through five MGM musicals. The black-and-white Broadway Melody of 1940 features the brilliant dancing of Fred Astaire (in his MGM debut) and Eleanor Powell (in her fourth Broadway Melody picture). By the 1950s, we recognize the splashy colors that would become MGM's distinctive style in four pictures inspired by familiar sources. Kiss Me Kate (1953) is the adaptation of the Broadway musical, starring Howard Keel and Kathryn Grayson as the couple whose offstage feud mirrors their roles in Shakespeare's The Taming of the Shrew. The best of the batch, High Society (1956), stars Bing Crosby, Grace Kelly, and Frank Sinatra in a musical update of The Philadelphia Story, while the 1957 films Les Girls (with Gene Kelly, Kay Kendall, Tania Elg, and Mitzi Gaynor) and Silk Stockings (with Astaire and Cyd Charisse) retell Rashomon and Ninotchka, respectively. Favorite songs in the set include "Begin the Beguine," "I Concentrate on You," "Wunderbar," "So in Love," "Brush Up Your Shakespeare," "Well, Did You Evah?", "You're Sensational," and "All of You." The films boast sharp transfers, making-of segments hosted by legends such as Cyd Charisse and Ann Miller, vintage shorts and cartoons, and Dolby Digital 5.1 sound (except Broadway Melody, which is in satisfactory mono). --David Horiuchi

Customer Reviews:

Honest personal opinion on the Cole Porter Gift Set.......2006-07-16

I was very disappointed and feel that the only DVD worthwhile in this set is "High Society"--that deserves 5 stars! The other DVDs lack the quality and better-known Cole Porter song content. I would recommend buying High Society by itself, which, ironically, was my initial intention.

two musicals missing in this box set !!!!!.......2003-05-04

Great box, great musicals too, all remastered. Meanwhile, I don't understand why "Kiss Me Kate" is not letterboxed as I have a widescreen version of this movie on laserdisc. "Panama Hattie" and most of all, "The Pirate" are not included in this box set, why ?

At last, 5 remastered Cole Porter Musicals now on DVD!!.......2003-05-04

This review is mainly about the DVD presentation of these MGM musicals, "Cole Porter Collection" box set. The movies are ALL CLASSICS and worth the price of admission.

First of all I must congratulate Warner Brothers Home Video for their outstanding job in putting together this 5 DVD Cole Porter musical set!!! This 5 Musical box set have all been digitally remastered both picture & sound. The black/white picture quality is outstanding, the TECHNICOLOR pallet is eye popping/vivid, and the sound is crystal clear. There is an abundance of film related extra features included for each film too. Cole Porters music is at its best throughout this collection.

Qualifying Statement: I have a Home Theatre including; a 55" 16:9 WideScreen HDTV with a Progressive Scan DVD player/recorder and a Dolby ProLogic Surround System. My movie library consists of over 500 DVDs, mostly remastered & preserved in their original theatrical presentation release (full screen or widescreen anamorphic aspect ratio).

NOTE: FULL SCREEN - 4:3 (1:33 to 1 ratio) made for tv or films released before 1953. WIDESCREEN (movies made after 1953 to compete with television) - 4:3 LETTERBOX (horizontal top & bottom black bars on tv, add left & right vertical black bars too on 16:9 WideScreen HDTVs) adjusted for any aspect ratio 166/185/225 to 1 etc. It is still letter box.) ANAMORPHIC WIDESCREEN IS THE ONLY TRUE HDTV 16:9 PRESENTAION. This format automatically adjusts to the television being used. To get the High Definition picture the DVD MUST BE ANAMORPHIC & ENHANCED FOR 16:9 WIDESCREEN TELEVISIONS!!!!!!!!

Now in SUMMARY: Full Screen - "BROADWAY MELODY OF 1940" starring the best tap dancing duo of all time Fred Astaire & Eleanor Powell. This in my opinion is the best musical of this box set. The picture & sound quality is absolutely astounding. The dancing and Porters music is the best!!!! The musical film finale "Begin the Beguine" is fantastic. The extra features include; Ann Miller hosts a background documentary Cole Porter in Hollywood: Begin the Beguine (great info), Our Gang (Spanky etc)episode "The Big Premiere", Behind the Scenes Notes and trailer. This is a Black/White Full Screen film. What a musical. this film alone is worth the price of admission. "KISS ME KATE" starring Howard Keel, Kathryn Grayson and Ann Miller. This 1953 TECHNICOLOR DOLBY 5.1 musical is beautiful to watch and the stars voices are wonderful. The dancing choregraphy of genius Hermes Pan is outstanding, with young dancers,Bob Fosse, Carol Haney and Ann Miller. Extras include; Ann Miller hosts Cole Porter in Hollywood: Too Darn Hot, Music Track Only, Vintage documentary short "Mighty Manhatten, New Yorks Wonder City", Behind the scenes notes and trailer.

ANAMORPHIC WIDESCREEN - "HIGH SOCIETY" Cole Porters 1956 musical remake of the 1940 comedy hit, "The Philadelphia Story". This time starring Grace Kelly (her last film before marrying the Prince of Monaco), Bing Crosby and Frank Sinatra. This is my second favorite of this box set. The screen play, the music and the stars are perfectly cast. Note: Crosby & Kelly make the "True Love" duet and it becomes a gold record. This TECHNICOLOR widescreen remastered picture presentation is better than the original theatrical release with Dolby 5.1 sound. Porters songs are at their best. We even have Louis "Satchmo" Armstrong jiving too.
Extras include; Celeste Holm hosts Cole Poter in Hollywood; True Love, Premiere Newsreel, Audio-Only radio ads featuring Crosby, Kelly & Sinatra, Millionaire Droopy Cartoon, behind the scenes notes and trailer. Don't miss "HIGH SOCIETY" with the regal elegant beauty of Grace (actually wearing her real engagement ring - what a rock), the crooner Crosby and Old Blue Eyes Frank this is an outstanding delight to watch and listen too!!!! "SILK STOCKINGS" - Porters 1957 musical adaptation of Garbos "Ninotchka" - starring Fred Astaire & Cyd Charisse. This TECHNICOLOR WIDESCREEN DOLBY 5.1 presentation is beautiful to watch and provides us with their last MGM musical. Extras include; Cyd Charisse hosts Cole Porters in Hollywood: Satin and Silk, 2 vintage musical shorts - Paree, Paree (1934 singing Bob Hope) and The Poet and Peasant Overture (presenting the MGM orchestra), behind the scenes and trailer. "LES GIRLS" this 1957 musical starring Gene Kelly, Mitzi Gaynor, Kay Kendall and Taina Elg. Directed by George Cukor this Widescreen Technicolor Dolby 5.1 DVD is beautiful to watch but is the least known of Porters musicals. Extras include: Taina Elg hosts Cole Porters Hollywood: Ca C'est L'amour, vintage cartoon - Flea Circus, behind the scenes notes, trailer.

If you are a Cole Porter fan or you love musicals, this DVD box set is for you. Warner Brothers has done a marvelous job preserving, restoring and digitally remastering these films. A complete delite.

I recommend at a minimum rent "BROADWAY MELODY of 1940" and "HIGH SOCIETY" these 2 musicals are a must for your DVD library. Overall I love this box set. Enjoy.

Why Not 'Begin the Beguine' with this GREAT Collection?.......2003-04-24

Cole Porter was one of the greatest composers of all time and this a wonderful salute to him. The DVDs in this collection are:

Kiss Me Kate: A wonderful story of how two ex-spouses in a musical adaption of Shakespeare's "The Taming of the Shrew" act the same offstage as they do on.
Starring: Kathryn Grayson, Howard Keel, Ann Miller

The Broadway Melody of 1940: Wonderful Dance Numbers, Great Stars, Flamboyent Costumes, IT'S GREAT!
Starring: Fred Astaire, Elenore Powell, George Murphy

High Society: It's the musical remake of "The Philidelphia Story". Am ex-husband trys to re-marry his soon-to-be married e-wife, Tracy, and along come the SPY magazine reporters to dig the dirt on Tracy's new wedding.
Starring: Bing Crosby, Grace Kelly, Frank Sinatra

Silk Stockings: The musical remake of "Ninotchka". A film producer uses Paris and himself to try to charm a hard-cut envoy.
Starring: Fred Astaire, Cyd Charisse, Janis Paige

Les Girls: Th story of a showman and his Les Girls as each girl tells their story.
Starring: Gene Kelly, Mitzi Gaynor, Kay Kendall

In my opinion, I think that the not-well-known Cole Porter's "The Pirate" with Gene Kelly and Judy Garland should be in this boxset INSTEAD of "Les Girls".

Why Not 'Begin the Beguine' with this GREAT Collection?.......2003-04-24

Cole Porter was one of the greatest composers of all time and this a wonderful salute to him. The DVDs in this collection are:

The Broadway Melody of 1940: Wonderful Dance Numbers, Great Stars, Flamboyent Costumes, IT'S GREAT!
Starring: Fred Astaire, Elenore Powell, George Murphy

Silk Stockings: The musical remake of "Ninotchka". A film producer uses Paris and himself to try to charm a hard-cut envoy.
Starring: Fred Astaire, Cyd Charisse, Janis Paige

Les Girls: The story of a showman and his Les Girls as each girl tells their story in court.
Starring: Gene Kelly, Mitzi Gaynor, Kay Kendall

Customer Reviews:

Okay, and then GREAT!.......2004-12-19

Zigfield Girl: This is a enjoyable movie about three girls who share the same dream about becoming a Zigfield Girl. Heddy Lamar, Lana Turner, and Judy Garland. They have some wonderful songs, and dances, and I especially love Minnie from Trinidad, but there is one severe problem with this movie: It is sooooo long!! Yes, some parts seem to just DRAG!!! And others are fun. But still, it is long. James Stewart is in bringing his talent onto the screen. And other actors also make the film enjoyable. And when I think back, I really do like the movie, it is just very long. And I know I gave this review 5 stars, but that is because most of them, belong to Broadway.

Broadway Melody of 1940: This is WONDERFUL!!! Eleanor Powell!! Yeah!! She makes her first appearence in this film, in 'The Captain of this Boat.' She's lovely, graceful, and the Queen of Tap. Fred of course, also makes this film, a 5 star film. He plays Johnny Brett, a loyal, true, and honest best friend to his partner who is chosen to play Claire Bennets (Powell) leading man. But all by mistake. For it was really him, who was supposed to have the audition. And even when he finds out, he keeps quiet, and helps his friend. Also, his partner begins to fall for Claire, Johnny has also, secretly. And when on opening night his partner (George Murphy) becomes drunk, a new star was born to broadway, Johnny Brett!
A wonderful movie, and I reccomend it highly. This is a great film to add to your collection.

Wonderfully Refreshing.......2004-10-07

Both of these movies are wonderful. However, Zigfield Girl does seem very long, and Broadway Melody is a little slow in some parts. But Fred Astaire dances (as usual), well, and Eleanor's tap and ballet numbers simply take my breath away!! Zigfield Girl with: Lana Turner, Judy Garland, Jimmy Stewart, and the goregeous Heddy Lamar. A wonderful cast with wonderful songs, but maybe a little slow.
But go ahead and see them, overall they are highly entertaining, and wonderfully refreshing!!!!

Sort of inbetween.......2004-10-07

This movie was really just - okay. It has so many twists, and turns I don't even think I could explain it. The songs were good and Lana Turner was perfect for 'Red,' but the movie dragged in some places and it seems very, very long. Judy Garland does a splendid job singing (of course), and I really loved the song 'Laugh.' Heddy Lamar is just breathtakingly beautiful and her accent is delightful. Overall, it was a good movie, just a little boring. Jimmy Stewart also plays Lana Turner's boyfriend, and he's always a joy to watch! Something else that was disappointing was the false advertising: Color. It's not. As plain as day it's in black and white. But everybody of course has different opinions. This movie while a little dull to me, may be highly entertaining to someone else. So, don't take my word for it. See it for yourself and form your own opinion!!

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