Watch Broadway (1929)

 

Watch Broadway (1929)
American Film, Musical, Crime

Early All-Talkie Film
National Board of Review, 1929- Winner: Top Ten Films
Viennale, 2004- Official Selection

In the vibrant and rapidly evolving landscape of late 1920s cinema, a film emerged that captured the dazzling, yet often dangerous, world of the Great White Way. Broadway, a 1929 American Pre-Code film, stands as a remarkable artifact of its time, not only for its narrative but also for its groundbreaking use of Technicolor and its portrayal of a bygone era of theatrical glamour and grit. More on Wikipedia or Mubi 

Directed by Paul Fejos, with a screenplay by Edward D. C. "Eddie" O'Day and Charles R. Rogers, Broadway was adapted from the hit 1926 stage play of the same name by Philip Dunning and George Abbott. The film brought to the silver screen a story steeped in the seedy underbelly of a New York City nightclub. The plot revolves around the romantic and professional entanglements of a group of performers and their associates. A naive chorus girl, Billie Moore (played by Glenn Tryon), finds herself caught between the affections of a charming vaudeville dancer, Roy Lane (Thomas E. Jackson), and the dangerous attentions of a bootlegger, Nick Verdis (Merna Kennedy). The film unfolds with a murder mystery, as a speakeasy owner is killed, and the performers become entangled in the police investigation.

What sets Broadway apart from many of its contemporaries is its ambitious use of two-strip Technicolor. While color films were still in their nascent stages, Broadway utilized this technology to stunning effect, particularly in its lavish musical numbers and backstage scenes. The film's climactic sequence, a full-scale Ziegfeld Follies-style show, explodes with a palette of vibrant hues, showcasing the elaborate costumes and sets in a way that had rarely been seen before. This use of color was not merely a gimmick; it was an integral part of the film's visual language, enhancing the spectacle and drawing the audience into the intoxicating world of Broadway's bright lights.

Beyond its technical achievements, Broadway is also a fascinating historical document. The film's production was a massive undertaking, and it was a critical and commercial success. Its popularity led to several other films about backstage life in the 1930s, cementing its influence on the "backstage musical" subgenre. Furthermore, the film provides a rare glimpse into the early days of sound cinema. The dialogue, music, and sound effects capture the unique acoustics and recording techniques of the era, offering a valuable insight for film historians. 

 

However, over the years, Broadway became a lost film, with only a black-and-white, Spanish-language version surviving for decades. In a cinematic stroke of luck, a complete Technicolor print was rediscovered in the late 1990s, allowing modern audiences to finally appreciate the film in its full glory. The restored version revealed the film’s visual artistry and confirmed its place as an important milestone in the history of cinema. 

 

Today, Broadway is not just a historical curiosity; it is a captivating piece of filmmaking. Its combination of a compelling narrative, memorable characters, and a dazzling visual style makes it a must-see for anyone interested in the early days of Hollywood. It serves as a testament to the ingenuity and ambition of the filmmakers of the 1920s and reminds us that some of the most innovative and beautiful works of art can be found in the most unexpected places. 

The Good

• Pioneering Use of Technicolor: This is arguably the film's greatest strength. Broadway was one of the earliest feature-length films to utilize two-strip Technicolor extensively. The restored version reveals a stunning visual palette that was revolutionary for its time. The vibrant costumes, lavish sets, and nightclub scenes burst with color, adding an element of spectacle that a black-and-white film simply couldn't achieve. This makes Broadway a crucial artifact for understanding the development of color cinema.

• Historical and Cultural Significance: The film is a time capsule of the late 1920s. It offers a rare glimpse into the world of pre-Code Hollywood and the backstage culture of Broadway. The speakeasy setting, the vaudeville acts, and the depiction of the criminal underworld all provide valuable insights into the social and cultural milieu of the era. For film historians and enthusiasts, it's a window into a bygone era of entertainment.

• Dynamic Backstage Atmosphere: The film captures the energy and chaos of a live theater production. The cramped dressing rooms, the frantic pace of rehearsals, and the camaraderie and rivalries among the performers feel authentic. This realistic portrayal of the "backstage musical" subgenre was influential and helped set the stage for later classics like 42nd Street.

• Innovative Direction: Director Paul Fejos, a former medical doctor and a truly unique figure in cinema, brought a stylish flair to the film. His use of a mobile camera, especially in the dance sequences, was advanced for the time, defying the static, "camera-on-a-stand" feel of many early talkies. The intricate tracking shots and dynamic angles give the film a sense of energy and modernity.

The Not So Good

• A Ponderous Pacing: Like many films transitioning from the silent era to sound, Broadway suffers from a deliberate and sometimes slow pace. The novelty of synchronized sound and dialogue meant that filmmakers often felt they had to let scenes play out in a very straightforward, stage-like manner. This can make the film feel a bit static and long-winded at times, especially in the dialogue-heavy scenes.

• Subpar Sound Quality: The sound technology of 1929 was in its infancy. The audio in Broadway is often flat, with a limited range. The music can sound thin, and the dialogue can be difficult to hear or understand at times due to the early recording techniques. This is a common issue with films from this period and is a significant barrier for modern audiences accustomed to high-fidelity sound.

• Melodramatic and Simple Plot: The murder mystery plot is rather straightforward and serves more as a framework for the musical numbers than a truly compelling narrative. The characters, particularly the bootlegger and the gangster, can feel like one-dimensional archetypes. The love triangle is also fairly standard for the era and lacks deep emotional complexity.

• Theatrical Acting Styles: Many of the actors in Broadway came from the stage and their performance styles reflect that. Their gestures can be broad, and their line delivery is often very presentational, as if they are playing to the back of a large theater. This "theatrical" acting style, while authentic to the period, can seem overly dramatic or unnatural to a modern viewer.

In summary, Broadway is a film that demands to be appreciated in its historical context. Its flaws are largely a product of the technological and artistic limitations of its time. However, its groundbreaking use of color, its energetic direction, and its value as a historical document far outweigh these weaknesses, making it a truly significant and worthwhile film for anyone interested in the development of American cinema.
Full Film