Broadway Melody (1929)

For some reason, half the post wasn't showing up, therefore the switch to red below

Coming off the mediocrity of Wings, we now come to 1929, year of the 2^nd Academy Awards. Noteworthy for this year is that while The Patriot and Old Arizona tied for the most nominations, no one film took away more than one win.

This year’s winner for Best Picture was Broadway Melody, directed by Harry Beaumont, starring Charles King, Anita Page, Bessie Love, and Jed Prouty.

Unfortunately, I’m a very poor college student and couldn’t find the film in its entirety online. I read the plot synopsis, but that wouldn't warrant much of a review since I couldn't really watch it. I'll summarize it, but link to another review of the film after. 

The film opens with Eddie debuting Broadway Melody, telling chorus girls that he's brought Queenie and Harriet to preform. While Harriet is proud of her business sence, Queenie is proud of her looks and is less eager than Harriet for to sacrifice everything for stardom. Eddie and Harriet are engaged, but when he sees Queenie for the first time since she was little, he become smitten with her.

Eddie tells the sisters to come to rehearsal to present their act. The owner of the theatre, Zanfield, isn't interested, but thinks he has a use for Queenie. Queenie is able to convince Zanfield to hire Harriet as well. Eddie becomes even more smitten with Queenie over her devotion to Harriet. However, dress rehearsals for the show are too slow for Zanfield and he cuts the sisters. But a girl is injured and Queenie becomes her replacement. Everyone loves her, especially Jock. Harriet becomes upset due to Queenie getting ahead on looks instead of talent. 

Queenie and Jock begin spending lots time with each other, earning disapproval from Harriet and Eddie. They forbid them to see each other, which makes Queenie push Harriet and Eddie away and the sisters' relationship dissolves. Harriet is unaware that Queenie is with Jock to quell feelings for Eddie and feels that her sister is only going to be hurt. In time, Eddie and Queenie declare their feelings but Queenie goes back to Jock in order to not break her sister's heart. 

Harriet comes to realize that Eddie and Queenie are in love and tells Eddie to go after her. While upset at losing the man she loved, Harriet calls her Uncle Jed to accpet a job with a 30-week show. 

Jock insists that he and Queenie spend time alone, but she resists his advances. Jock tries to get physical, but Eddie arrives and tries to fight. Jock lays Eddie out, But Queenie comes to his aid and leaves Jock. 

Later, Harriet and Uncle Jed wait for Queenie and Eddie to come back from their honnymoon. While the sister's relationship is healing, there is still some animosity. Queenie decides to settle down on Long Island with Eddie and insists that Harriet live with them when her current job is over. The film ends as Harriet eventually leaves distraught and heads to the train station. 

Here is Reelviews.com review of the film.