Customer Reviews

Broadway Melody of 1938 [VHS]

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

Yes, the plot leaves a few questions unanswered such as where did Powell's character learn to dance like that on a farm--but then again, who cares? The film is great fun--an awesome display of Powell's dancing capabilities! Judy Garland is wonderful in the "Everybody Sing" number and "Dear Mister Gable" is a classic not to be missed. It was also a treat to watch Sophie Tucker on the screen! Get this movie--it's harder to find for a GOOD reason!

I just watched this video last night, and although I must admit it is indeed a turkey for all seasons, there are still three highly worthwhile reasons for watching it: the magnificently graceful dancing of Eleanor Powell, the stunning singing of young Judy Garland, and the fiery, passionate vocalizations of Sophie Tucker. Ms. Powell's remarkable athleticism and splendidly controlled "stop-on-a-dime" tapdancing, as well as her whirling, swirling duo-dancing with George Murphy, are an absolute delight to see. And she makes it all seem so genuinely effortless. She clearly proves in this film why she has earned such a lofty place in the Pantheon of cinematic tapdancers (right up there with Astaire, Kelly, and the Nicholas Brothers). And young Judy!! What a GREAT, GREAT voice. Although, she doesn't have much to do in this flick (she was still a teen-ager), she sings the unforgettable "Dear Mr. Gable..You Made Me Love You" and "Everybody Sing." And finally, the film affords the viewer with a glimpse of the immortal, Sophie Tucker, who just burns the house down with a memorable rendition of "Some of these days!"

The story of BROADWAY MELODY OF 1938 is not so much zany as just simply bizarre. Raised on a horse farm where she also somehow learned to sing and dance, Eleanor Powell goes to New York in search of fame and fortune on the Great White Way, where she meets (a) George Murphy and Buddy Ebsen, two horse trainers who are also dancers; (b) Robert Taylor, a producer determined to star her in his new show; and (c) one of the horses from her farm. When the horse comes up lame, Eleanor rescues him--and before too long it becomes necessary for the horse to win the big race in order to finance the show!

Eleanor Powell was MGM's great dancing star of the era, George Murphy was one of the screen's most reliable hoofers, and Buddy Ebsen was reknowned as a character actor with an eccentric dance style--all three have tremendous star quality and they generate several charming moments. But today the film is chiefly recalled for two supporting players: Sophie Tucker and Judy Garland.

Sophie Tucker had been a great stage star for more than 20 years when this film was made, and MELODY offers one of her rare screen appearances: with her no-nonsense, no-holds-barred style, she leaves little doubt about why she was so celebrated--especially when she launches into her signature song "Some of These Days." Garland, on the other hand, was just really beginning her film career, a slightly chunky teenager with a great big voice--and after putting it through the bullseye with a knockout performance of "Everybody Sing" she nailed the audiences of the day with her famous version of "You Made Me Love You," sung to a photograph of Clark Gable. It was the stuff dreams are made of, and from that moment on her film career was straight up all the way.

The stars knock themselves out to make it fun, and very often it is. But as a whole, it never really seems work in a consistent sort of way. When all is said and done, BROADWAY MELODY OF 1938 is the sort of show that you watch for certain scenes rather than for the show itself, which is considerably less than the sum of its parts. Recommended for 1930s musical fans, but even they will likely find very thin stuff indeed.

GFT, Amazon Reviewer

This picture has the lovely charm of a black-and-white decor and a youthfully optimistic setting for a musical. Yet out of cast boasting such superstars as Robert Taylor, Eleanor Powell, Sophie Tucker, and Buddy Ebsen, one performer stands out above all of them... a little thirteen year old youngster named Judy Garland. In 1938, this film was well regarded, but the non-Garland portions were referred to as "filler". And with good reason! Watch Judy's "Betty Clayton" character sing to a photo of idol Clark Gable. "Dear Mr. Gable" is one of Judy's most poignant and dramatic numbers, and can never be forgotten. She dances with a lithe Ebsen, and is perfectly charming the whole picture through. Five stars for Judy!

Don't watch the movie, just go about your daily business at home and listen to it. You will find yourself, laughing, smiling, and singing along. For me, the best part of all was not just a young and wonderful Judy Garland, but an aging and still wonderful Sophie Tucker who could still belt out "Some of these days!" Now that's something you won't see everyday.

J.H. Cohen
NYC

Hi! Although the actors and horse are quite fun, I loved this film MOST for the MUSIC! It was created in the post-depression era, during the time that war tensions were increasing, in Europe (WWII). Every performer was a big star, at the time it was released, ensuring much more audience excitement and appreciation than we might find, today.

THE PLOT is loosely based around the story of Seabiscuit, the famous racehorse who overcame prejudice, injury, and a form of horse depression, to run races faster than the more sleek, pure-bred racehorses. NOTE TO PARENTS: Get out the toy horses, for your kids to use to mimic StarGazer in the races! Try for towels, to play the role of the (not Greek!) barber.

MUSIC/OPERA BUFFS: IGOR GORIN APPEARS IN THIS FILM! Judy Garland is lovely, singing to Mr. Gable, but Gorin brings the horse to the finish line, with one of the fastest versions of Figaro, from the BARBER, ever sung on film. Also: there is a RARE GORIN RECORDING of Toreador, from CARMEN. DON'T MISS THIS ONE!

STRESSED OUT? Curl up with popcorn & hot cocoa & a blanket. Sleep well, and wake up feeling better in the morning. Take Care! :-)

Rare are the opportunities to experience the legendary performances of: (1) Sophie Tucker's rendition of "Some of These Days", (2) Judy Garland, young (15) and unaffected by the the pressures of Hollywood, doing her original performance of "Dear Mr. Gable", (3) the quintessential Eleanor Powell in several numbers, (4) Buddy Ebsen in his earliest talent, (5) George Murphy proving himself as one of Hollywood's finest talents, and a few more. Devices that are now called "cliches" were ORIGINAL in films like this, with many imitations to follow in the next decade. But this is one of the first, and unique in the performances it recorded for future generations. After all, "talkies" were only about eight years old, and here we have a technically fine record of contemporary music of the era. Amazing, really. A much underrated archive of musical Americana. Greatly to be enjoyed, especially with all that in mind.

P. S. Some of the preceding comments imply that this was a showcase for Judy Garland in MGM's promotion of her future stardom. Not really so, as she is one of many being showcased here. But her performances, nonethless, are stunning.

This is really two movies in one. The singing and dancing musical and the horse race comedy/drama. Both are fun and, of course, a must see for all Judy fans. I also enjoyed the dancing style of Buddy Ebsen. He glides like he has no bones!

IT IS DELIGHTFUL TO SEE MISS ELEANOR POWELL DANCING A GREAT NUMBER, BUT BESIDES THAT IT WAS REALLY A MASTERPIECE WHEN SOULFUL AND DIVINE GARLAND GAVE US TWO BEAUTIFUL MELODIES "DEAR MR GABLE" (THE ORIGINAL TITLE OF THE SONG) AND "EVERYBODY SING",,, MORE???? MR ROBERT TAYLOR! MR MURPHY AND MR WONDERFUL EBSEN.. SORRY BUT WHO CARES ABOUT THE STORY?? IF IT IS GOOD OR BAD?? WHEN ALL THESE GREAT STARS GOT TOGETHER IN IT?? I REALLY LOVED THE SONGS "YOURS AND MINE" AND "EVERYBODY SING" AND THE DANCE ROUTINES??? EXCELLENT!!! SORRY BUT THIS IS GOLD!! WELL ABOVE ALL: SOPHIE TUCKER'S "NOSTALGIA AT 100%".

Anything with Judy Garland and Eleanor Powell needs to be on DVD now!!! Its been an eternity since this was released. Please upgrade it NOW!!!!