Two Tickets to Broadway (1951)
Directed by James V. Kern

Film Review

Two Tickets to Broadway, a Technicolor song-and-dance extravaganza, is an all too obvious attempt by RKO to muscle in on MGM's territory, and whilst it is a lively, colourful affair, it lacks the sparkle that even MGM's lesser musical offerings managed to put out with effortless ease.  Early in her career, a stunning Janet Leigh handles the film's musical numbers with panache, ably assisted by her handsome co-star Tony Martin.  The comedy is deftly handled by Eddie Bracken (well-chosen to play the shifty agent) and veteran vaudeville duo Joe Smith and Charlie Dale (who were a last minute replacement for Laurel and Hardy when Stan Laurel fell ill).  The numbers are competently staged by the legendary choreographer Busby Berkeley, although none of them exhibits anything like the scale and imagination shown by Berkeley on his musical offerings of the 1930s.  The film's most memorable and charming number has to be Let's Make Comparisons, in which Bob Crosby gently has some fun at his brother Bing's expense.  Far from being a classic, Two Tickets to Broadway is nothing more than a pleasing timewaster, although it is hard to see how it managed to lose one million dollars at the box office.

Film Synopsis

Cheered by crowds of well-wishers, Nancy Peterson leaves her hometown, hoping to make a name for herself on Broadway.  The grim reality of her profession hits home as soon as she lands in New York, where she hooks up with a trio of disillusioned dancers.  She runs into another aspiring star, Dan Carter, who is also having difficulty finding work.  Dan's agent, Eddie Bracken, contrives to get Dan and Nancy a spot on the Bob Crosby talent show, but fails to mention the fact to Crosby himself...