Universal. Director William A. Seiter; Producer Bruce Manning; Screenplay Felix Jackson, John Bright; Camera George Barnes; Editor Ted Kent; Music Charles Previn
George Raft
Pat O'Brien
Broderick Crawford
Janet Blair
Anne Gwynne
Marjorie Rambeau
Universal's modernized presentation of Broadway retains the thrilling tenseness and dramatic suspense of both the original Philip Dunning-George Abbott play and the first film version turned out by Universal in 1929.
As modernized, Broadway could easily be the autobiography of George Raft - and this impression is carried through the unreeling via the medium of a prolog deftly contrived. Picture opens with Raft airlining to New York with companion-bodyguard-shadow, Mack Gray, for a short visit between pictures. Wandering onto Broadway, alone, he stops at a cellar being remodelled into a bowling alley. Looking around, he starts reminiscing to the old night-watchman about the heyday of the spot as a cabaret during the lush prohibition era - when Raft got his start as a hoofer in the place.
In addition to swift dramatic pace, provided both in script and direction, picture is studded with a group of excellent performances. Raft justifies his casting for the lead, and clicks solidly. Sharing honors with him is Pat O'Brien.
(B&W) Extract of a review from 1942. Running time: 89 MIN.
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