Latin heart-throb Ramon Novarro had a fine singing voice, but his refusal to tone down his homosexual lifestyle convinced the moguls that he was not made for the talkies. Finding musical stars for this new medium was tricky. It remained for newcomers to balance solid musical talent with personalities that responded to the close scrutiny of the camera. Veteran silent film director Ernst Lubitch found ways to get around the clumsiness of early sound equipment, giving his films a sexy but inoffensive sense of fun. They fall in love, but Chevalier must fight for his right to be more than a puppet consort.
Love wins out, with plenty of laughs along the way.
Love Parade was and is delightful, with Chevalier hilariously charming and MacDonald making a poised screen debut. Hollywood finally had a sophisticated musical comedy that even Broadway would be proud to call its own, and the film was a popular success. Of course, popularity does not always indicate quality. This backstage tale of two sisters battling for the same leading man was the first all-sound film to win the Academy Award for Best Picture. Broadway Melody is available on video, but I dare you to sit through it and stay awake.