Review of The Broadway Melody (1929) by Brian S — 09 Dec 2011

I can imagine a movie filled with "all talking, all singing, and all dancing" would be quite the trip for 1920s movie-goers so used to silent films. it won Best Picture, so clearly the powers-that-be were sufficiently impressed.

I, however, am completely used to musicals, so this one doesn't quite stand the test of time. the music is quite bland, there's only one mildly enjoyable dance number, and the story is very weak.

Bessie Love and Anita Page actually give pretty solid performances considering the poor writing, and the fact they're good-looking doesn't hurt either. the rest of the characters, however, are obnoxious.

Charles King is like a strange cross-breed of Cary Grant, James Cagney, and Gene Kelly with absolutely none of the charm. overall not a bad movie, it just hasn't aged well--by itself or by comparison.