Broadway Melody of 1940 (1940 Movie Soundtrack) (Rhino Handmade)
Broadway Melody of 1940 would be the fourth and final entry in MGM's beloved Broadway Melody franchise. As lavish musicals had all but become the studio's bread and butter, enthusiasts flocked to theaters to see Fred Astaire (Johnny Brett), Eleanor Powell (Clara Bennett), and George Murphy (King Shaw) kick up their heels to the tunes of Cole Porter. And who wouldn't? The plot centers on a case of mistaken identity in which Murphy is erroneously cast in a Broadway performance that also stars Powell. However, when Murphy's character gets too inebriated to work, Astaire -- who was supposed to have gotten the job to begin with -- fills in, ultimately saving the production and affirming the adage that "the show must go on." As is the case with all of the restored soundtracks distributed under the auspices of Rhino Handmade, every accessible note has been incorporated -- meaning that vocals and instrumentals alike are given their due, as modern consumers can avail themselves of Alfred Newman and Edward Powell's uniformly inspired arrangements, the vast majority of which have never been issued before. Among the standouts are Porter's "Begin the Beguine" -- revived from the 1935 Broadway misstep Jubilee and turned into the breathtaking finale -- as well as the lush and languid "I Concentrate On You" and the conversely jaunty "I've Got My Eyes On You." "Please Don't Monkey With Broadway" is a lighthearted romp marked by Porter's unabashed salute to the Big Apple, a motif that he would incorporate into many of his best-loved compositions. The remainder of the CD contains a dozen selections from the 1937 film Rosalie, and is significant if for no other reason than the Nelson Eddy outtake on "Close," an alternate reading of Eleanor Powell's "Who Knows," and the unused "I Know It's Not Meant for Me." In keeping with the label's limited-edition policy, only 2,500 copies are being made available to retail. Additionally, it is worth mentioning that for 60-year-old recordings, while not perfect, the contents are listenable and thoroughly enjoyable. ~ Lindsay Planer, Rovi