Broadway Melody of 1940 (1940) in Color — Starring Fred Astaire & Eleanor Powell

Broadway Melody of 1940 (1940) — Buy This Classic in Color

Buy Broadway Melody of 1940 (1940) in color — the glittering MGM musical extravaganza that united Fred Astaire and Eleanor Powell for the only time in their careers, producing some of the most spectacular dance sequences ever committed to film. This professionally restored and colorized classic film transforms MGM’s lavish production values into vivid HD color, revealing the full splendor of the legendary Begin the Beguine finale with a brilliance that black and white photography could never convey. Available now as an instant DRM-free digital download for €15.00 — own this extraordinary piece of Hollywood’s golden age in stunning, professionally colorized HD.

Plot Summary

Broadway Melody of 1940 follows two struggling vaudeville dancers, Johnny Brett (Fred Astaire) and King Shaw (George Murphy), who are hustling for club bookings when a case of mistaken identity changes everything. A booking agent mistakes King for Johnny and signs King for a prestigious Broadway show opposite the celebrated star Clare Bennett (Eleanor Powell). Rather than correct the error, King seizes the opportunity, pushing his long friendship with Johnny to the breaking point.

As Johnny watches from the wings, Clare and King develop a polished stage partnership — though Clare is drawn more strongly to Johnny’s natural ease and improvisational brilliance. Bob Casey (Frank Morgan), the perpetually flustered Broadway impresario overseeing the production, struggles to keep the show together as romantic and professional tensions build between all parties. The complications cascade toward opening night, where the question of who truly deserves the spotlight — and who deserves Clare — must finally be answered.

Directed by Norman Taurog and featuring showstopping Cole Porter songs including I Concentrate on You and the immortal Begin the Beguine, Broadway Melody of 1940 was crafted as a dazzling showcase for the MGM roster at the peak of the studio’s creative power. The climactic Begin the Beguine number, performed on a spectacular mirrored stage set with the full company, is consistently cited among the greatest musical sequences in Hollywood history — a fitting crown to the legendary Broadway Melody series.

Cast & Crew

Director: Norman Taurog

Cast:

• Fred Astaire as Johnny Brett
• Eleanor Powell as Clare Bennett
• George Murphy as King Shaw
• Frank Morgan as Bob Casey
• Ian Hunter as Bert C. Matthews
• Florence Rice as Amy Blake

Why Buy This Classic in Color?

Broadway Melody of 1940 was filmed at the height of MGM’s golden age, when the studio spared no expense on its musical productions. The sets, the costumes, the choreography — everything was designed to overwhelm the senses, yet the original black and white film could render this spectacular investment only in shades of grey. In this professionally restored and colorized version, the full splendor of those elaborate productions is finally visible as MGM’s designers intended.

The colorization process uses advanced digital techniques to ensure historically accurate colors while preserving every detail of the original cinematography.

Every scene has been colorized frame-by-frame using advanced digital restoration techniques to ensure period-accurate results.

The iconic Begin the Beguine finale is astonishing in color. The mirrored stage floor, the elaborate show costumes of the full chorus, and the electric chemistry between Astaire and Powell now radiate with warmth and depth that transform the sequence from merely spectacular into genuinely luminous. This restored color palette draws on period-accurate references including contemporaneous Technicolor productions for authentic 1940 tonal fidelity.

Fred Astaire and Eleanor Powell were two of the greatest dancers in Hollywood history, and their only screen collaboration makes Broadway Melody of 1940 an essential piece of cinema heritage. Cole Porter’s score represents one of the finest collections of songs ever assembled for a single musical production. In this colorized edition, this classic film becomes essential viewing not only for admirers of golden age Hollywood but for anyone who loves great dancing, great music, and great cinema.

Download Broadway Melody of 1940 (1940) in color today — DRM-free, in HD quality, delivered instantly to your device. This classic movie is also available in colour for international audiences.

Technical Details

| Detail | Information |
|——–|————-|
| Title | Broadway Melody of 1940 (1940) Colorized |
| Director | Norman Taurog |
| Year | 1940 |
| Runtime | 102 minutes |
| Original Format | Black and White |
| Colorized Format | HD Color |
| IMDb Rating | 7.3/10 |
| MPAA Rating | Approved |
| Genre | Comedy, Music, Romance |
| Price | €15.00 |
| Delivery | Instant digital download, DRM-free |
| Format | MP4 (HD) |

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Who stars in Broadway Melody of 1940?
The film stars Fred Astaire and Eleanor Powell in their only screen collaboration, supported by George Murphy, Frank Morgan, and Ian Hunter in a polished MGM production.

What Cole Porter songs are featured?
The film showcases several Cole Porter compositions, most memorably Begin the Beguine, I Concentrate on You, and I’ve Got My Eyes on You — an extraordinary musical roster from one of American songwriting’s greatest talents.

Is the complete film included in this download?
Yes. The complete 102-minute runtime of Broadway Melody of 1940 is preserved in full with professionally applied color throughout — nothing has been cut or altered from the original film.

How long after purchase can I access the download?
Access is instant. Your download link is activated immediately upon payment confirmation — no waiting, no processing delay.

Is this a DRM-free download?
Yes. Your purchase gives you instant access to a DRM-free MP4 file with no streaming restrictions, no subscription requirements, and no expiration date. Download and keep permanently on any device.

What devices support this download format?
The standard MP4 format plays on all modern devices: Windows PCs, Macs, Android and iOS smartphones and tablets, smart TVs, Roku, Apple TV, and Chromecast. No additional software is required.

Related Colorized Classics

• Swing Time (1936)
• Top Hat (1935)
• On the Beach (1959)
• You Were Never Lovelier (1942)
• The Broadway Melody (1929)