Phonearl Good start, but then it gets ruined

Matrixiole Simple and well acted, it has tension enough to knot the stomach.

AnhartLinkin This story has more twists and turns than a second-rate soap opera.

Nicole I enjoyed watching this film and would recommend other to give it a try , (as I am) but this movie, although enjoyable to watch due to the better than average acting fails to add anything new to its storyline that is all too familiar to these types of movies.

Spikeopath The Barkleys of Broadway is directed by Charles Walters and written by Betty Comden and Adolph Green. It stars Fred Astaire, Ginger Rogers, Oscar Levant, Billie Burke, Gale Robbins and Jacques François. Music is by Lennie Hayton and cinematography by Harry Stradling Sr.Fred and Ginger play the Barkleys, a successful husband and wife musical comedy team that seems to thrive on feuding. However, one day it goes too far and a break up appears certain when the wife entertains an offer from Jacques François to become a serious actress.Firsts and lasts here as it was the first film Astaire and Rogers did for MGM, their first in colour, and their last they would make together after reconvening after 10 years - Rogers stepping in when Judy Garland fell to her troubled wayside. The screenplay is pretty thin, serving only as a thin piece of meat to the dance and musical numbers sandwich, but with stand-outs like the wonderful "Shoes with Wings On" and the joyous uplift of 'They Can't Take That Away from Me' to spend time with, it's a film to brighten the darkest of days. 7/10

edwagreen Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers ended their film association with this wonderful 1949 film.Their singing and dancing was marvelous as usual. The opening scene, while the credits rolled, was memorable. The Irish number was fantastic and no one can forget They Can't Take That Away from Me.Oscar Levant is in fine form as their friend and Billie Burke's voice is just what is needed as the upper society matron of the Broadway scene.A successful Broadway couple whose constant bickering eventually threatens their marriage, both Rogers and Astaire were in top form. Ginger aspires to go beyond musical comedy to the world of serious acting when she is cast to play a young Sarah Bernhardt.A lot of this film mirrored real-life when Ginger left musicals to become a serious actress only to cop the Oscar for 1940's "Kitty Foyle."

inhonoredglory Such a wonderful movie - everything was perfect about it! The dancing was magical, the drama so moving, the music breathtaking (Dig those Oscar Levant pieces! I literally got energized by his rendition of Tchaikovsky). Fred and Ginger were a perfect pair; their love, hate, and teasing were adorable and sharp. The plot kept up with the music, balancing neither too much. Ginger's drama scene almost brought me to tears, even though I didn't understand the language of her speech. And Levant's wise-cracks and truly brilliant talent really left an impression with me. Fred, as always, sparkles with dancing perfection and a few lovely vocal numbers. A beautiful movie all around! As the final Fred/Ginger pairing, it shows that "you can't take (the magic) away" and that these two will never stop dancing in our hearts.

soulaflame Possible spoiler here. Fred and Ginger were great in earlier films. Now they are middle age with a plot that would have been better when they were much younger. This would have been a good movie without the bickering. The musical numbers were very good for the most part. The dances showed a change toward more avant-guard styles emergent of the rebel movies of the 50's. Which, for middle agers looked very childish and the arguments were immature. She looked very tired. He looked like her father, with baggy eyes and all. What a shame that they didn't leave well enough alone. The best part of the movie was some of the music. Oscar Levant tried to steal some scenes. Not worth seeing again. Sell the video at a yard sale or donate it to a nursing home.