Although this is clearly a showcase for the talented dynamo ELEANOR POWELL, MGM's forerunner to the tap-dancing Ann Miller, Broadway MELODY OF 1936 has some painfully clumsy musical moments that are mercifully offset by some brilliant dance routines by Powell. You have to take the good with the bad, and thankfully, the best moments are worth watching.
Worst of the lot, is the tenement roof dance "Sing Before Breakfast" sung by Buddy and Velma Ebsen while Powell does the dance steps, possibly the clumsiest musical moment in the whole film with an uninspired song to boot. But when Powell is daydreaming to "You Are My Lucky Star" her dancing reaches the zenith of her particular appeal as a performer. Lots of other musical moments are equally worthwhile, but as said before, there are some poorly staged moments too.
In fact, the whole story is an uneven blend of music and dance with a thin story serving as a mere excuse to introduce each new number. JACK BENNY, as a gossip columnist, and PHIL SILVERS, as "Snoop", his sidekick, have some funny moments in early screen appearances, and MGM's matinée idol ROBERT TAYLOR gets to sing a ditty or two in a pleasing enough fashion. Powell was always dubbed for her singing, in this case by Frances Langford.
It's not the best of the Broadway MELODY flicks, but has its moments of pure fun with the very talented Powell proving that she could even act a little between dance numbers.
Worst of the lot, is the tenement roof dance "Sing Before Breakfast" sung by Buddy and Velma Ebsen while Powell does the dance steps, possibly the clumsiest musical moment in the whole film with an uninspired song to boot. But when Powell is daydreaming to "You Are My Lucky Star" her dancing reaches the zenith of her particular appeal as a performer. Lots of other musical moments are equally worthwhile, but as said before, there are some poorly staged moments too.
In fact, the whole story is an uneven blend of music and dance with a thin story serving as a mere excuse to introduce each new number. JACK BENNY, as a gossip columnist, and PHIL SILVERS, as "Snoop", his sidekick, have some funny moments in early screen appearances, and MGM's matinée idol ROBERT TAYLOR gets to sing a ditty or two in a pleasing enough fashion. Powell was always dubbed for her singing, in this case by Frances Langford.
It's not the best of the Broadway MELODY flicks, but has its moments of pure fun with the very talented Powell proving that she could even act a little between dance numbers.