Wednesday, September 06, 2023

Movie review - "Two Girls on Broadway" (1940) ***

 Lana Turner didn't do a lot of musicals but early in her career MGM put her in this. She does some dancing and quite well - that MGM factory brought her up to speed. George Murphy is a smooth partner for her though not quite good looking enough for the storyline, which has Turner and Blondell as sisters, Blondell and Murphy are engaged, and Turner and Murphy get hot for each other.

It's complicated by the fact some Broadway producers want Turner and Murphy not Blondell.  Turner is also pursued by rich, much married Kent Taylor and a gossip columnist who knows Blundell hangs around.

It's cheerful, slick and unprententious. Turner combines that great beuaity with down-home small town girl style - I think that's why she was so popular. Murphy isn't up to her in looks but he's talented and to be fair prior to Gene Kelly who could've played the role.

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