Broadway Highlights 1

Broadway Highlights was a series of several short subjects produced by Paramount Pictures in 1935 and 1936. They purported to tell the viewer, newsreel-style, what was happening on the Gay White Way. In this installment, we are first taken to Jack Dempsey's restaurant, where a testimonial dinner for Paul Whiteman is taking place. The speakers are Rudy Vallee, Jack Benny, and Dempsey. Next, off to the Winter Garden Theatre, where Earl Carroll is selecting dancers for his new Vanities. After this, we get a look at The Hollywood nightclub. It seems Sophie Tucker's being welcomed back to Broadway, and she introduces Bea Lillie and Fanny Brice in the audience before singing a bit of "Some of These Days." Then, we're given a glimpse backstage at Music Box Theatre, where it's opening night of Ceiling Zero starring Osgood Perkins and Margaret Perry. The many attendees include Gary Cooper and Walter Winchell. Finally, Al Jolson's rehearsing a radio show at NBC Studios with Victor Young's orchestra and guest Max Baer. We see Al and Max rehearse a sketch, and Al sings some as well.

[@JB1912JB]

Wow!! These shorts are amazing - you're becoming my favourite YT channel. Wonderful, ultra-rare material.

[@MrSmellinglikearose]

I just bought a 16mm of this great & important short to New York History & to the history of the arts on Broadway where entertainment was king ! Blackhawk luckily put this out for sale & I luckily was able to find a following selling it to add to my Screening collection of thousands of shorts & features that as a Nationaklly known film historian I screen at venues & illustrate the goings on that inspired the creativity & originality of the time !

[@nicoley132]

@JB1912JB That is high praise indeed. Thank you, and I'm very glad you enjoyed them! :)