Broadway Melody of 1936 (1936) – Robert Taylor is a Broadway impresario. The leading lady is the dancer, Eleanor Powell who is both fetching and competent. Taylor and Powell grew up together in Albany and he thinks too much of the kid to allow her to get in the showbiz what with the decadence, worrying she will become a wanton woman. So Powell impersonates a French dancer so that she can get an audition. Alright silly and yet miles above what passes for comedy today like Duane Johnson's shifting eyebrow.
The top billed star is Jack Benny as a gossip columnist in the mode of Walter Winchell. Benny rarely leaves his office in the picture. He's typically seen talking to his assistant so that Robert Taylor can barge in every 10 minutes or so to punch him out for something written in his column. The assistant is played by the film's co-writer, Sid Silvers (No relation to Phil that I could find). This might be an interesting double bill at Tarantino's New Beverly Cinema, paired with Sweet Smell of Success, a darker take on Walter Winchell.
Interesting supporting performances from Buddy Ebsen and his real-life sister Vilma as a dancing team. Vilma lived to be 97 and this was her only movie. Enjoyable if you aren't put off by 1930s acting styles and/or enjoy ratatatat dialogue.
Jack Benny (To Eleanor Powell): If you are French I am a Chinaman.
Powell: (in French accent looking him over): That is possible.
