The MGM Project

LORD BYRON OF BROADWAY Release Date February 28, 1930 History Lord Byron of Broadway  is probably best known for two things-- Technicolor sequences by the Rasch ballet, and introducing two songs, "Should I?" and "A Bundle Full of Love Letters", both big hits in 1930. The Technicolor sequence Woman in the Shoe was well received enough where it was lifted and used in two other short films: a Three Stooges film,  Nertsery Rhymes,  and Roast Beef and Movies . Otherwise, this film came and went from the history books of the MGM Musical. It was directed by Harry Beaumont (who also directed Broadway Melody ) as well as William Nigh. When a film has two directors, it generally means that one replaced the other, but no indication is given by this in anything available online so it's hard to know if they worked together on this project or if one passed the baton to the other. Charles Kaley, Ethelind Terry, Marion Shilling, and Cliff Edwards, aka "Ukelele Ike", ...

CHASING RAINBOWS Release date   February 23, 1930 History While  Chasing Rainbows was released in 1930, it was actually filmed in July and August, 1929, and featured the same lead cast members of Broadway Melody, Bessie Love and Charles King, had a similar theme as Broadway Melody  (a love story gone awry in the behind the scenes drama of a musical show), and was filmed only five months after Broadway Melody  premiered and one month after its general release. Also appearing are several veteran vaudeville actors-- a young Jack Benny, Marie Dressler, and Polly Moran to name a few. Following suit with other MGM musicals at the time of including color sequences in a black and white film,  Chasing Rainbows  has  two  Technicolor song sequences, one is in the middle of the film, and another is the film's grand finale. The film did not do very well, and both sequences were separated from the rest of the film for a 1931 re-release, which intended to recou...