The Broadway Melody

The Broadway Melody, also known as The Broadway Melody of 1929, is an American preCode musical film and the first sound film to win an Academy Award for Best Picture. It was one of the first musicals to feature a Technicolor sequence, which sparked the trend of color being used in a flurry of musicals that would hit the screens in 19291930. Today the Technicolor sequence is presumed lost and only a black and white copy survives in the complete film. The film was the first musical released by MetroGoldwynMayer and was Hollywoods first alltalking musical.

The plot involves the romances of musical comedy stars, set against the backstage hubbub of a Broadway revue. Anita Page and Bessie Love play a vaudeville sister act who have come to New York for their big break on Broadway. Charles King plays the songanddance man whose affection for one sister Harriet alias Hank is supplanted by his growing love for the younger, more beautiful sister Queenie. Queenie tries to protect her sister and derail the love triangle by dating a wealthy but unscrupulous stage door Johnny.The movie opens with Eddie Kearns debuting The Broadway Melody. He tells some chorus girls that he brought the Mahoney Sisters to New York to perform it with him in Francis Zanfields latest revue. Hank and Queenie Mahoney are awaiting Eddies arrival at their apartment. Hank, the older sister, prides herself on her business sense and talent while Queenie is lauded for her beauty. Hank is confident they will make it big while Queenie is less eager to put everything on the line to be stars. Hank declines their Uncle Jeds offer to join a 30week traveling show, but consents to think it over. ........

Source: Wikipedia