Broadway Melody of 1929

It seems that right after the Greeks invented drama in the 5th Century BC, they followed it up by inventing the musical sister act. And one of the first musical sister acts to be put on film must be that of the fictional Mahoney sisters in Broadway Melody of 1929.

While this is billed as an early film musical, I don't know if it has enough music to actually qualify. There are about two songs--fortunately both good, but unfortunately often reprised in the film: "You Belong to Me" and "Broadway Melody".

The plot surrounds scrappy sister Harriet "Hank" (Bessie Love, center), and beautiful sister "Queenie" (Anita Page) and their struggles to make it on Broadway with the help of singer/composer Eddie Kearns (Charles King). Eddie starts out as Hank's long-suffering fiance, but ends up as Queenie's husband. And as shrill as Hank is portrayed, who can blame him for going over the side of the blond.

One of the best things to look at in this film are the clothes the women wear, particularly the cloches hats. There is also a very odd DVD extra with dogs portraying people--straight out of vaudeville.

Broadway Melody of 1929
Music by Nacio Herb Brown
Lyrics by Roger Edens
Directed by Harry Beaumont
Released in 1929 by MGM
Cast: Charles King, Bessie Love, Anita Page, Eddie Kane