The Barkleys of Broadway Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

A fancy dancing duo breaks up because the wife suddenly decides she wants to do regular acting instead of just tapping her way through life with her husband.

🍿 The Barkleys of Broadway: Detailed Plot Synopsis

A Dynamic Duo On Stage and Off

Josh and Dinah Barkley are the toast of Broadway, a phenomenally successful husband-and-wife musical comedy team. While they are the picture of harmony on stage, their off-stage relationship is often marked by arguments, fueled partly by Josh’s perfectionism and Dinah’s feeling of being overshadowed. Their friend and composer, Ezra Millar, frequently finds himself mediating their spats. Despite the friction, their partnership is professionally unmatched, making them a beloved act.

A Call to Drama

Dinah harbors a desire to prove herself as a serious dramatic actress, feeling that her musical comedy work is limiting. Her ambition is encouraged when she meets Jacques Pierre Barredout, a distinguished French playwright and director. Jacques sees potential in Dinah for tragic roles and offers her the lead in his new play about the legendary actress Sarah Bernhardt. This opportunity creates significant tension with Josh, who wants her to remain his partner.

Separate Stages

Following a particularly heated argument stemming from Dinah’s consideration of Jacques’ offer and Josh’s perceived lack of support, the Barkleys decide to separate. This ends their professional partnership, shocking the Broadway world. Josh continues performing without Dinah, while she fully commits to rehearsing for Jacques’ dramatic play. Her initial foray into serious acting proves challenging, as she struggles with the different demands compared to musical comedy.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Josh Barkley (Fred Astaire): The husband and dancing half of a successful musical-comedy team who struggles when his wife pursues a dramatic career.
• Dinah Barkley (Ginger Rogers): The wife and dancing half of a successful musical-comedy team who seeks independence and a career as a serious dramatic actress.
• Ezra Millar (Oscar Levant): The witty, sardonic pianist and close friend who often mediates the Barkleys’ frequent personal and professional conflicts.
• Jacques Pierre Barredout (Jacques François): A serious French playwright who encourages Dinah’s dramatic ambitions, leading to conflict with her husband Josh.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Ezra Millar: “Thank you. I’m touched, the piano’s touched, and Tchaikovsky’s touched.” – Delivered with dry wit by Ezra after a piano performance, expressing his cynical view.
• Ezra Millar: “Let’s all stay in the house and take pills.” – Said sarcastically by Ezra when faced with the prospect of outdoor activities during a visit to the country.
• Josh Barkley: “You’d Be Hard to Replace” – Sung by Josh Barkley as a heartfelt song reflecting on Dinah’s unique qualities and his feelings for her amidst their separation.
• Josh Barkley: “They Can’t Take That Away From Me” – Performed as a romantic dance duet by Josh and Dinah, reprising a song from a previous film and symbolizing their enduring connection despite their conflicts.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $2,325,420
• Domestic Gross: $2,700,000
• Worldwide Gross: $4,300,000

💥 The Barkleys of Broadway Reviews

Personal Review

Oh my gosh, seeing Astaire and Rogers dance together again, and in color, was just magical! I mean, the plot is pretty simple – they fight because she wants to act, he gets jealous – but who cares when they’re floating across the floor like that? I loved the ‘They Can’t Take That Away from Me’ sequence; it just melts your heart. And the ‘My One and Only Highland Fling’ number is so much fun! Their chemistry is just off the charts, you really feel like you’re watching something special. It makes you nostalgic for that kind of glamorous, joyful filmmaking. Honestly, it just made me feel happy and light. It’s pure escapism, perfect for when you just want to be swept away by incredible talent and classic tunes. Definitely added it to my list of comfort movies!

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of classic Hollywood musicals”
  • “Admirers of Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers”
  • “Viewers interested in Technicolor films of the era”
  • “Those who enjoy stories about show business relationships”
  • “Fans of Oscar Levant’s piano performances and wit”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Marital conflict and arguments between the main characters”
  • “May contain outdated social dynamics and portrayals typical of the period”

Professional Reviews

• Fictional: “Astaire and Rogers sparkle in their only color pairing! While the plot about marital spats feels a bit thin, the film soars on the strength of their legendary chemistry and dazzling dance numbers. The choreography is simply sublime, making this a must-see for fans of classic Hollywood musicals. It’s pure, unadulterated entertainment from start to finish.
• Fictional: “Returning to the screen together was a treat! ‘The Barkleys of Broadway’ delivers exactly what you want from Astaire and Rogers: effortless charm, witty banter, and dances that defy gravity. The switch to color is a welcome change, highlighting the vibrant costumes and sets. It’s a delightful capstone to their iconic partnership, even if the story is secondary to the spectacle.

Audience Reactions

Everyone loved seeing Astaire and Rogers together on screen again, especially in color.: The dance numbers are absolutely breathtaking and the main reason to watch, showcasing their unmatched talent.

Overall Consensus: A cherished classic musical that delights with its legendary stars and spectacular dance sequences, making up for a predictable plot.

Awards

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “The film was originally planned as a follow-up to ‘Easter Parade’ (1948) starring Fred Astaire and Judy Garland, but Garland’s health issues led to Ginger Rogers being cast, marking a reunion after ten years.”
• “This is the only film where Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers danced together that was shot in Technicolor.”
• “It was the tenth and final film collaboration between Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers.”
• “The plot point of Ginger Rogers’ character, Dinah, wanting to be taken seriously as a dramatic actress mirrored Rogers’ real-life career path after her initial partnership with Astaire, which led to her winning a dramatic Oscar for ‘Kitty Foyle’ (1940).”
• “The special effects used for Fred Astaire’s iconic solo number ‘Shoes With Wings On,’ where sets of tap shoes appear to dance independently, were innovative for 1949.”
• “Oscar Levant, a celebrated classical concert pianist, performed his own demanding piano solos in the film, including pieces from Aram Khachaturian’s ‘Sabre Dance’ and Tchaikovsky’s Piano Concerto No. 1.”
• “The initial dance number, ‘The Swing Trot,’ was filmed with the opening credits superimposed over Fred and Ginger, unfortunately obscuring much of their dancing for the audience.”

🖥️ How to Watch The Barkleys of Broadway?

As a classic Hollywood musical from 1949, “The Barkleys of Broadway” may be available for rent or purchase on various digital platforms. Check services like Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play, and others for current availability. Physical copies on DVD or Blu-ray may also be available for purchase.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed The Barkleys of Broadway, you might like these similar films:

• Easter Parade (1948): This film was originally intended as a direct follow-up starring Fred Astaire and Judy Garland, sharing similar production roots and Astaire as the male lead.
• The Band Wagon (1953): Another iconic MGM musical featuring Fred Astaire and Oscar Levant, written by Betty Comden and Adolph Green, focusing on the challenges of putting on a stage show.
• A Star Is Born (1954): Explores the dramatic personal and professional conflicts within a show business couple, mirroring the themes of career ambition and relationship strain present in ‘The Barkleys of Broadway’.
• An American in Paris (1951): A classic MGM musical from the same studio and production unit, also featuring the musical talents and dry wit of Oscar Levant.
• La La Land (2016): A modern musical that centers on a couple pursuing artistic dreams and the impact their career ambitions have on their relationship, echoing the central conflict.

🛒 The Barkleys of Broadway Related Products

• The Barkleys of Broadway (Warner Archive Collection): Experience the only Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers color film in stunning high definition. Features restored picture and sound.
• Classic Hollywood Musicals Soundtrack Collection: A compilation featuring classic songs from the golden age of MGM musicals, including tracks from ‘The Barkleys of Broadway’.
• Fred Astaire & Ginger Rogers: The Complete Film Collection Book: An illustrated book detailing the careers and films of the iconic duo, with behind-the-scenes stories and photos from all their movies, including ‘The Barkleys of Broadway’.
• Vintage Hollywood Dance Poster Print: A high-quality print featuring a classic dance pose inspired by the era of Astaire and Rogers, perfect for home decor.

🎧 Soundtrack

The Barkleys of Broadway features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “They Can’t Take That Away from Me” – performed by Fred Astaire & Ginger Rogers
• “My One and Only Highland Fling” – performed by Fred Astaire & Ginger Rogers
• “Manhattan Down Beat” – performed by MGM Studio Orchestra
• “You’d Be Hard to Replace” – performed by Fred Astaire

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

Ginger Rogers and Fred Astaire in “The Barkleys of Broadway”

Get a quick peek at the iconic pairing of Ginger Rogers and Fred Astaire in The Barkleys of Broadway. I just love seeing these two together, don’t you?

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