I've always enjoyed Eleanor Powell's movies. But most of them leave me regretting that she did most of her dancing alone, for lack of a partner to equal her. Buddy Ebsen is wonderful in She's Gotta Dance, but it's not a pairing of equal partners.And then there is this movie. Astaire was, of course, Powell's equal. And we get to appreciate that in this movie, especially in the final "Begin the Beguine" number. Powell doesn't dance with Astaire as his female partner, as Rodgers did in most of her movies with Astaire. She dances along side him as an equal. And the results are breathtaking.The rest of this movie is fine. George Murphy does a good job with his dance numbers, though he should never have been given music to sing. Frank Morgan is his usual wonderful self.But this movie reaches the heights because of the pairing of Powell and Astaire. It's really something to see!

With that quote Sinatra summed Broadway Melody of 1940 up perfectly. The 30s, 40s and 50s were especially timeless for musicals, and in the past twenty years or so(though this may seem unfair) we haven't seen stars in the same ilke as the likes of Fred and Ginger, Eleanor Powell, Cyd Charise, Judy Garland and Gene Kelly to name a few. The story for Broadway Melody of 1940 is familiar and very predictable but everything else dazzles to the extent that it doesn't matter so much, even with the story Broadway Melody of 1940 is from a personal point of view one of the best film musicals of the 40s. The sets and costumes are polished and glossy in a beautiful way. The Begin the Beguine set is particularly striking, while the photography captures everything lovingly and with care. The songs are like really juicy bon-bons with catchy melodies and clever lyrics, I Concentrate On You is one of Cole Porter's best ever songs and sung with such a wonderful richness by Douglas McPhail. They are helped too by the outstanding quality of the choreography, the clear standout is Begin the Beguine, which is one of the greatest dance routines of any Fred Astaire film. But let's not dispute how seamlessly sophisticated Please Don't Monkey with Broadway is or how wittily choreographed I Concentrate on You is. The dialogue is funny and warm-hearted and it is directed with a lightly assured touch. The three lead performances carry Broadway Melody of 1940 wonderfully. Fred Astaire is still his usual likable and sweet-natured self and dances with his typical as well as unique athleticism and elegance. Eleanor Powell is charming enough and dances a dream, some of the best tap dancing on film is courtesy of her and apparently Astaire was intimidated by her for that. George Murphy is terrific as well, not the finest of actors but his terrific singing and especially dancing more than make up for it. The supporting cast do well too, with an amusingly bumbling Frank Morgan. In conclusion, once you get past the story you'll find an absolute treat in Broadway Melody of 1940. 10/10 Bethany Cox

Wow, if this had only been shot in Technicolor! But, it's still great as is in crisp B&W. Perfect casting of the principals and supporting cast, with the occasional special talent also featured. Stage producer Frank Morgan contributed his trademark befuddled humor throughout. He was, of course, the wizard in "The Wizard of Oz" and, among other supporting roles, contributed humor to another 1940 top grossing film: "Boomtown". Poor future US senator George Murphy seemingly was always getting his girl stolen by some greater talent: Astaire in this film, Gene Kelly ,in "For Me and My Gal". and Sinatra, in "Step Lively". Nonetheless, he was a handsome charismatic vaudevillian talent, and a worthy dance partner for Astaire, early in this film, in one of the very few dance routines Astaire did in his film career with another male only dancer. Murphy was no stranger to Eleanor Powell, being her main dance partner in the BM of 1938 film, most notable for their 'dancing in the rain' number to ""I'm Feeling Like a Million". The present film is also special in that it provides the only dance pairing of Astaire and Eleanor. Eleanor was the only star featured in all of the BM series from '36 through '40. Although Astaire was given top billing, clearly Eleanor was the de facto top dancing talent, with or without a single partner. In addition to her 3 dance routines with Astaire and one with Murphy, Eleanor got one sole routine, where she is swung around by a large contingent of male dancers dressed as sailors, after doing her song and tap dance routine.Astaire also gets a solo dance, in which he expresses his infatuation with Eleanor's character, carrying around her photo. Rather reminds me of Kelly's later ballet "A Day in NYC", in which he used s picture of Vera-Ellen as one of his props, expressing his infatuation with her... Several specialty acts are included. Fred is intimidated by an impromptu juggling act by a woman(Trixie Firschke) in a waiting room outside the director's office. Carmen D'Antonio's Red Skelton-like burlesqued opera act was mildly entertaining, if the story director didn't think so, and I can understand if you don't either. Mostly,a diversion for the kids in the audience, I suspect. These acts took the place of Robert Wildhack's snoring and sneezing analyses in the BM '36 and '38 films respectively, which many present day viewers complain about.Murphy gets the role as Eleanor's dance partner by a mistaken identity fluke. The producer(Morgan) actually wanted Astaire, but Astaire switched their names, thinking Morgan was a bill collector.Anyway, Murphy eventually parties too much, is late for a rehearsal, and drunk for a show. Astaire, in disguise, subs for Murphy in the show at the last second, but tells Murphy he did the show before passing out. Actually, it's clear from the rotund head and face shape that it's not Astaire behind the mask and cap in the first non-dancing portion of this number. Presumably, it's baritone Douglas McPhail, who does the initial singing. Eleanor, backed by a ballet troupe, does a twirling ballet routine during this portion, before Astaire shows up behind the mask to dance with her...Later, Murphy shows up apparently drunk again, for the next show. Astaire again has to sub for him at the last second, this time without a mask. This is the famous very long "Begin the Beguine" number, which featured a very expensive stage set, involving a reflecting glass floor and a pitch black background with many 'stars', simulating a tropical night.The performance is divided into several segments. First, the lyrics are sung in a traditional languid style, backed by a dance troupe.Eleanor joins the troupe and gradually takes the spotlight, followed by Astaire, after which they dance together for quite a spell. The duo then disappear, while the Merry Maids sing a swing arrangement, again backed by a dance troupe. Eleanor and Astaire again dance, to an Artie Shaw-like version, followed by a segment with no music, then finish up with frantic dancing, again to background music. Murphy then surprisingly shows up, apparently sober, the dance duo graspe the significance of his drunk act, and the 3 stars dance a bit for the finale, leaving the audience in a feel good mood."Begin the Beguine" had been introduced on stage in '35, but it took several years for audiences to warm up to it's unusual musical structure, much helped by Artie Shaw's swing version. It was again featured in an elaborate dance number in the Porter biop "Night and Day", where the dancing style was quite different: with emphasis on sensuality rather than very rapid tandem dance steps. I thought the screen play was well thought out and well paced. The chemistry between Astaire and Eleanor was somewhat lacking. Except for a few scenes, the melodrama didn't get too nasty. All was forgiven in the end, when Astaire's and Murphy's characters showed they still had great respect for each other, despite their recent problems, instigated by the appearance of Eleanor. Actually, I thought the dance by Murphy and Eleanor was as elegant as any of the several Astaire-Eleanor pairings. Perhaps Astaire's major limitation as a dance partner was his inability to fully lift or carry most of his dance partners. He simply didn't have the strength, being quite skinny. Thus, we see Murphy lifting and carrying Eleanor several times during their dance, whereas I don't remember Astaire doing a full lift in any of his dances with Eleanor.

Alas, "Broadway Melody of 1940" is the only film that Fred Astaire and Eleanor Powell made together. Their dancing ignites "Begin the Beguine," and one only wishes there had been another teaming of the lady with the dimpled smile and fast feet and that master of grace.You can see the entire story coming a mile away, but it doesn't matter. Besides the cast, which includes the always charming George Murphy, Frank Morgan, and Ian Hunter, the film is full of Cole Porter music, including the beautiful "I Concentrate on You." Powell's and Astaire's finale makes the entire film worth seeing. They make such a relaxed couple - though they lack the intensity of the Astaire-Rogers teaming, they have a chemistry and a natural symmetry that makes up for it.Highly recommended.