Watch Lullaby of Broadway

"Lullaby of Broadway" is a 1951 musical film directed by David Butler and starring Doris Day, Gene Nelson, and S.Z. Sakall. The film takes place in New York City and follows the story of Melinda Howard (Day), a successful Broadway star who receives a surprise visit from her mother, Mrs. Jones (Gladys George), who claims to be ill. Melinda discovers that her mother has fabricated her illness in an attempt to bring her back to her hometown of Indianapolis.

Melinda's father, a theatre owner named Thomas Howard (William Frawley), is facing financial troubles and is in danger of losing his theatre. Melinda decides to leave Broadway and return to Indianapolis to help her father save the theatre. While there, she reconnects with her childhood sweetheart, Tom Farnham (Nelson), who is now a successful lawyer.

As Melinda becomes more involved in the efforts to save the theatre, she begins to realize that her parents' marriage is not as happy as she had believed. Her father is having an affair with a young actress named Sheila Winthrop (Ann Doran), which he hopes will help save the theatre. Melinda is disappointed in her father's behavior and tries to convince him to end the affair and reconcile with her mother.

As the deadline for saving the theatre approaches, tensions rise, and Melinda must balance her commitment to her family with her desire to return to Broadway. The film culminates in a grand musical performance at Howard's theatre, featuring Melinda, Tom, and Sheila.

"Lullaby of Broadway" is a delightful musical romp that showcases the talents of Doris Day and Gene Nelson. Day brings her trademark charm and charisma to the role of Melinda, and her musical performances are a highlight of the film. Nelson brings a rugged, boyish charm to the role of Tom, and his chemistry with Day is palpable.

The film also features several musical numbers, including the titular song "Lullaby of Broadway," which won an Academy Award for Best Original Song. Other memorable numbers include "You're Getting to Be a Habit with Me" and "Just One of Those Things."

S.Z. Sakall provides solid comic relief as Mr. Bach, the theatre's musical director, and William Frawley is convincing as Melinda's conflicted father. Gladys George's turn as Melinda's manipulative mother is also noteworthy.

Overall, "Lullaby of Broadway" is an enjoyable musical comedy that offers an entertaining glimpse into the world of Broadway theatre. With catchy musical numbers, charming performances, and a heartwarming story, this film is sure to delight fans of classic Hollywood cinema.

Lullaby of Broadway is a 1951 music movie with a runtime of 1 hour and 32 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.7.