Bloodhounds of Broadway
Bloodhounds of Broadway
| 14 November 1952 (USA)
Bloodhounds of Broadway Trailers

A musical comedy based on several Damon Runyon short stories. When a bookie on the run, Robert 'Numbers' Foster, falls for a pretty country songbird, Emily Ann Stackerlee , he'll do anything to help her make it big -- including a stint in jail to pay for his crimes. But will the tough guy's sacrifice of the heart pay off when it comes to his girlfriend's singing career?

Reviews
aimless-46

Damon Runyon's "Bloodhounds of Broadway" (1952) is basically "Kissin' Cousins" meets "Guys & Dolls"; as New York bookie "Numbers" Foster (Scott Brady) stumbles onto calico-clad Emily Ann Stackerlee (Mitzi Gaynor) in rural Georgia and takes her (and her dogs) with him back to his New York City nightclub.Simply put, no Hollywood actress ever glammed up or plained down with quite the degree of erotic fantasy contrast of Mitzi Gaynor, or at least of a young Mitzi (and she was only 21 when "Bloodhounds of Broadway" was filmed). The mind-blowing qualities of this disparity accounted for much of her popularity with audiences and producers, and gave a special sizzle to her most memorable films. On the other hand, her performances in films that failed to showcase this disparity (like "South Pacific") had a sterile flatness."Bloodhounds of Broadway" neatly exploits Gaynor's physical range, it is almost as if the storyline was written solely for this purpose. Her transformation deliberately lacks subtlety because the whole point is to overwhelm the observer with the contrast, causing them to participate in producing the synergy of the experience. It is plausible only because Gaynor has a unique physical quality which visually sells it, bookending the production at her most innocent with "In the Sweet Bye and Bye" and at her hottest (this side of Cole Porter's "Anything Goes") with "Jack of Diamonds".The audience's reaction to the transformation of Emily Ann nicely illustrates the concept of a film as a semifinished product, to be used by the viewer to complete the artistic process rather than something they simply consume.If you are buying the DVD used (or unsealed) be sure that the two-fold brochure and the 20th Century Fox envelope are included; the envelope contains four miniature black & white lobby cards on glossy heavy stock paper. Then again, what do I know? I'm only a child.

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eightsolent

I LOVE the opening shot of Marguerite Chapman! Stunning Mid Century Hard Boiled Glamour Show Girl. Good voice, great figure, and lots of Technicolour screen presence. Flash but not trash. In the mould of Linda Darnell, Jane Russell, Dolores Grey, and even Lynn Bari in Orchestra Wives. Travilla, who dressed Marilyn and Jane in "Blondes", creates some stunning outfits for her too.Nice to see a fresh faced Mitzi, but I wish Marguerite had been given a little more time on screen - a second song would have been great. Was Mitzi Gaynor star material? I think so. Sweet, but not cutsie. Loved her in There's no business like show business, and South Pacific. I do think she looks likes she's carrying a lot of weight in the bottom half of her body, but hey who cares.All in all an easy to watch colourful musical!!

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edwagreen

Mitzi Gaynor and Scott Brady starred in this 1952 Damon Runyon tale involving gangsters and some good people.When Brady is returning from Florida, as the heat from the commission investigating him has been turned off, he runs into Georgia hick Mitzi Gaynor. Feeling sorry for her, this bookie brings her back to New York only to realize that she is a 20 year old girl. He sets her up for dancing and naturally being Mitzi Gaynor, she succeeds.As he falls in love with her, he will incur the wrath of his jealous girl who will turn the tables on him.Gaynor was just wonderful in her dance sequences. Mitzi Green is in fine form in a supporting performance as the mob's moll who helps both Gaynor and Brady as the two fall for each other.Very light and amusing entertainment. Look for 2 brief scenes by Charles Bronson as a mobster. Milo O'Shea handles his role as a police officer effectively.

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ruralnrs-1

I loved this movie!The music and comedy is superb!All of Mitzi's bubbly talents are showcased here. I would rate this movie right up there with Golden Girl and I don't know why it hasn't been made available on VHS or DVD. I hope it will be soon. She was one of the most beautiful, talented singers and dancers and I never got enough of her before they stopped making those wonderful musicals. She demonstrated an enthusiasm and strength in her dancing that was matchless. I think now is the time to bring her movies back and give all of us a shot in the arm. Good old fashioned clean fun and entertainment!!

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