Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Brisk
- Intensity
- Moderate
- Complexity
- Simple
- Violence
- None
- witty
- romantic
- melodramatic
- classic cinema night
- musical movie night
What critics said
Critics generally recognize its historical importance as an early talking musical while finding its simple melodrama and dated presentation uneven.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
Hank and Queenie arrive in New York to join Eddie's number in a Broadway production staged by producer Zanfeld.
Eddie shifts his romantic attention from Hank to Queenie while the sisters navigate their affection for each other and competing suitors.
The film is identified with Pre-Code Hollywood and includes frank romantic pursuit, social hierarchy, and an undressing-related performance motif.
The film uses black-and-white imagery to frame singing, tap dancing, and Broadway production numbers.
Films like The Broadway Melody, and why
42nd Street
early backstage musical centered on performers, romantic entanglements, and theatrical ambition
Gold Diggers of 1933
pre-Code romantic musical with show-business settings, performance spectacle, and melodramatic love triangles
A Star Is Born
classic Hollywood backstage drama combining romance, performance, and sibling tension
Movie Details
- Director
- Harry Beaumont
- Release Date
- 1929-02-08
- Runtime
- 101 min
- Rating
- 5.1 / 10 (179)
Cast
- Charles King
- Anita Page
- Bessie Love
- Betty Arthur
- J. Emmett Beck
- Nacio Herb Brown
- James Burrows
- Eddie Bush
- Ray Cooke
- Drew Demorest
Where to watch in United States
- Rent
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
- Buy
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
Streaming options come from TMDB and change over time.
Common questions
- What is The Broadway Melody about?
- Two vaudeville sisters chase Broadway success while shifting affections turn their professional partnership into a tender romantic tangle.
- What is The Broadway Melody like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of The Broadway Melody as brisk, its intensity as moderate and its storytelling as simple.
- Is The Broadway Melody violent?
- No — Ember's analysis finds no violence in The Broadway Melody.
- What did critics think of The Broadway Melody?
- Critics generally recognize its historical importance as an early talking musical while finding its simple melodrama and dated presentation uneven.
- Which films are like The Broadway Melody?
- Films with a similar feel include 42nd Street, Gold Diggers of 1933, and A Star Is Born.
- How long is The Broadway Melody?
- The Broadway Melody runs 101 minutes.
- Where can I watch The Broadway Melody?
- In United States, The Broadway Melody is available to rent or buy from Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home.
