The Broadway Melody
Seen it?1929 | 101 min | Music, Romance, Drama
Sunday Safe Betearly ratingWhy it’s a Sunday Safe Bet
It won an Oscar and it made about 12 times its budget, though it had middling reviews (42% on Rotten Tomatoes) and a lukewarm 5.1 out of 10 from audiences. A safe bet when you want something reliable.
Based on critics, audiences, awards, box office and buzz. Details below.Is it for you?
- Who'll love it
- Made for romantics. If you loved West Side Story or Wicked, start here.
- The mood
- Warm and romantic.
- The pace
- Takes its time with its characters, at 1 hr 41 min.
- What might put you off
- Made in 1929: an older pace and style.
The vaudeville act of Harriet and Queenie Mahoney comes to Broadway, where their friend Eddie Kerns needs them for his number in one of Francis Zanfield's shows. When Eddie meets Queenie, he soon falls in love with her—but she is already being courted by Jock Warriner, a member of New York high society. Queenie eventually recognizes that, to Jock, she is nothing more than a toy, and that Eddie is in love with her.
How it earned its rating
- CriticsBelow par
42% on Rotten Tomatoes
- AudiencesBelow par
5.1 out of 10
- AwardsStrong
Won 1 Oscar: Best Picture. Also nominated for 2 more Oscars.
- Box office & staying powerStrong
$4 million worldwide on a $379K budget; still draws a steady audience long after release
- Buzz & cultural impactSolid
About 58K people sought it out in the past year
Trailer
More like this
West Side Story
Friday Night FlickAnother critically acclaimed musical drama.
Wicked
Saturday SpecialAnother musical drama, and a Saturday Special.
tick, tick... BOOM! Saturday SpecialAnother musical drama, and a Saturday Special.
Cyrano Sunday Safe BetAnother musical drama, and a safe bet for a quiet night.
Burlesque
Weeknight WatchAnother musical drama, though it's more of a weeknight watch.
Want more like this, picked just for you? Get my picks
Cast & crew
Directed by Harry Beaumont
- Charles KingEddie Kearns
- Anita PageQueenie Mahoney
- Bessie LoveHarriet 'Hank' Mahoney
- Betty ArthurChorus Dancer (uncredited)
- J. Emmett BeckBabe Hatrick (uncredited)
- Nacio Herb BrownPianist (uncredited)
- James BurrowsSinger (uncredited)
- Eddie BushQuartet Guitarist and Singer (uncredited)
- Ray CookeBellhop (uncredited)
- Drew DemorestTurpe - Costumer (uncredited)