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MGM's Broadway Melody series hits a subaqueous low with this frantic, unfocused sequel which reunites its colorful cast of lanky performers and slicked-back producers while stretching precariously thin its familiar formula of acquiring finances for a make-or-break Broadway show.
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Contrary to 1936's refreshing, joyously smiley reboot, 1938's reincarnation is incurably diffuse, clogged and extended with aimless cameos and perpetual plotlines which, in effect, rather muddle the film in a protracted pace towards inevitability.-
The musical numbers don't necessarily help matters, either. Series regulars "Broadway Melody" and "You Are My Lucky Star" weave in-and-out of the score, but elsewhere, a young 15 year-old Judy Garland belts the participatory "Everybody Sing" and legendary Sophie Tucker croaks through "Some of These Days", both as unmemorable as the other.
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George Murphy steps in as a potential love interest opposite the toothy, relentlessly talented Eleanor Powell (presumably to eschew the lack of musical talent in Robert Taylor) and the two merrily sing and dance their way in-and-out of the rain during "I'm Feeling Like a Million" - if only it was thunderstorm. [C-]
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"BROADWAY MELODY OF 1940" (1940)
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The Broadway Melody formula (and its recent downward trend) gets shaken up a bit with Broadway Melody of 1940, a welcomely slimmed-down, ventilated addition to the series, which pairs up stablemate Eleanor Powell with the enduring Fred Astaire. -
Against type, Powell plays an established dancer looking for a new partner for her routine when her talent scout happens upon Astaire's two-man show at a modest night club. Through misunderstanding, his partner (George Murphy) gets the nod instead.
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It's only a matter of time before our two stars fall into each other's arms - both on and off the stage - and what the film lacks in spectacle it makes up for in charm. Easily the most straight-forward of the entire series, for what it's worth. [B-]
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