The Barkleys of Broadway

Joyously together again!

6.9
19491h 48m

Production

Logo for Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer

Josh and Dinah Barkley are a successful musical-comedy team, known for their stormy but passionate relationship. Dinah feels overshadowed by Josh and limited by the lighthearted musical roles he directs her in. So she decides to stretch her skills by taking a role in a serious drama, directed by another man.

Trailers & Videos

Thumbnail for video: The Barkleys of Broadway - Trailer

The Barkleys of Broadway - Trailer

Cast

Photo of Fred Astaire

Fred Astaire

Josh Barkley

Photo of Ginger Rogers

Ginger Rogers

Dinah Barkley

Photo of Oscar Levant

Oscar Levant

Ezra Millar

Photo of Billie Burke

Billie Burke

Mme Livingston Belney

Photo of Jacques François

Jacques François

Jacques Barredout

Photo of Gale Robbins

Gale Robbins

Shirlene May

Photo of George Zucco

George Zucco

The Judge

Photo of Clinton Sundberg

Clinton Sundberg

Bert Felsher

Photo of Inez Cooper

Inez Cooper

Pamela Driscoll

Photo of Carol Brewster

Carol Brewster

Gloria Amboy

Photo of Frank Ferguson

Frank Ferguson

Mr. Perkins (uncredited)

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Reviews

J

John Chard

7/10

I find that girl completely resistible.

The Barkleys of Broadway is directed by Charles Walters and written by Betty Comden and Adolph Green. It stars Fred Astaire, Ginger Rogers, Oscar Levant, Billie Burke, Gale Robbins and Jacques François. Music is by Lennie Hayton and cinematography by Harry Stradling Sr.

Fred and Ginger play the Barkleys, a successful husband and wife musical comedy team that seems to thrive on feuding. However, one day it goes too far and a break up appears certain when the wife entertains an offer from Jacques François to become a serious actress.

Firsts and lasts here as it was the first film Astaire and Rogers did for MGM, their first in colour, and their last they would make together after reconvening after 10 years - Rogers stepping in when Judy Garland fell to her troubled wayside. The screenplay is pretty thin, serving only as a thin piece of meat to the dance and musical numbers sandwich, but with stand-outs like the wonderful "Shoes with Wings On" and the joyous uplift of 'They Can't Take That Away from Me' to spend time with, it's a film to brighten the darkest of days. 7/10

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