LPCDreissues: Looking forward to the past

The fourth and final installment in M-G-M's Broadway Melody series, this unforgettable film marked the first and only teaming of Fred Astaire and Eleanor Powell. Cole Porter wrote the score, and the veteran Fox team of Alfred Newman and Edward Powell provided musical direction. Somewhat overlooked for many years, Broadway Melody was discovered anew when the smash 1974 M-G-M compilation That's Entertainment! featured its spectacular "Begin The Beguine" tap-duel between Astaire and Powell. Porter penned several new songs for the film's score, wielding his wit and melodic might to the fullest. "I Concentrate On You" became an absolute standard. "I've Got My Eyes On You" summoned Astaire's mastery and innovation, pairing him with a piano in a devastating dance routine. "I Happen To Be In Love" was intended for the picture, but never recorded or filmed. Written years earlier for the ill-fated Broadway show Jubilee, "Begin The Beguine" made for a stellar finale. Arranged for two treatments, it kicks off in island splendor, switches to Artie Shaw-style swing, and reprises in a frenzied tap challenge for the record books. The last in the Broadway Melody franchise, this film marked the high point in Eleanor Powell's career. She followed it with the Metro productions Lady Be Good, Ship Ahoy, and I Dood It. Astaire freelanced for the next few years instead of staying at M-G-M, making Holiday Inn, The Sky's The Limit, and two pictures with Rita Hayworth for Columbia. This Turner Classic Movies Music/Rhino Handmade release presents the complete score from Broadway Melody Of 1940, most of which makes its audio debut here. Also included are 12 tracks from Rosalie, which teamed Cole Porter with Eleanor Powell in 1937. Several rarities appear: Nelson Eddy's unused vocal for "Close," an alternate version of Powell's "Who Knows" finale (a Porter medley instead of the film's collection of Sousa marches), and a deleted melody entitled "I Know It's Not Meant For Me." Broadway Melody Of 1940 is available as an individually numbered limited edition of 2,500 copies.
TRACK LISTING MAIN TITLE (Extended Version) (1:47) MEDLEY: THE WEDDING MARCH/DANCE HALL WEDDING (1:11) PLEASE DON'T MONKEY WITH BROADWAY (3:14) ALL ASHORE (Extended Version) (4:59) MEDLEY: SCALING THE PLATES/BOUNCING BALL/FRED IN MANAGER'S OFFICE (2:39) BETWEEN YOU AND ME (4:36) I'VE GOT MY EYES ON YOU (4:03) ITALIAN CAFÉ ROUTINE (1:53) I CONCENTRATE ON YOU (6:40) BEGIN THE BEGUINE (9:28) FINALE (I'VE GOT MY EYES ON YOU) (1:18) END CAST (BETWEEN YOU AND ME) (0:17) MAIN TITLE (ROSALIE)/HELLO FOOTBALL FANS (3:11) IT'S ALL OVER BUT THE SHOUTING (2:35) I'VE A STRANGE NEW RHYTHM IN MY HEART (3:40) CLOSE (Outtake Vocal Version) (2:43) ROSALIE (1:37) WHY SHOULD I CARE (1:34) SPRING LOVE IS IN THE AIR (2:38) IN THE STILL OF THE NIGHT (2:18) TO LOVE OR NOT TO LOVE (2:18) BRIDAL FINALE (OH, PROMISE ME/ROSALIE) (2:15) WEST POINT DRILL ROUTINE (WHO KNOWS/HEY BABE HEY)(Original Version-Outtake) (7:12) I KNOW IT'S NOT MEANT FOR ME (Outtake) (4:13)