Bloodhounds of Broadway *** (1952, Mitzi Gaynor, Scott Brady, Mitzi Green) – Classic Movie Review 10,789

Director Harmon Jones’s 1952 Technicolor musical film Bloodhounds of Broadway is based on a Damon Runyon story, which provides a good chance for Mitzi Gaynor as little orphan Emily Annie Stackerlee, a country girl who encounters a crooked New York bookie, Robert ‘Numbers’ Foster (Scott Brady), hiding out in Georgia.

Emily Annie, who longs to be in show business, rescues him and in return he goes straight and helps her showbiz ambitions. Emily Annie becomes a smash on the New York cabaret circuit with her pet bloodhounds, and then she inevitably sorts out Robert ‘Numbers’ Foster’s life too.

Bloodhounds of Broadway is a Guys and Dolls-style musical comedy, and just as pleasant and amiable, but not in the same class as that 1955 movie. Gaynor is very pleasing and sympathetic both as actress and singer-dancer, though the dancing is better than the only-average tunes, which are the show’s weak point.

Mitzi Gaynor in Bloodhounds of Broadway (1952).

It also stars Mitzi Green as ’52nd Tessie’ Sammis, Marguerite Chapman as Yvonne Dugan, Michael O’Shea as Inspector McNamara, Wally Vernon as Harry ‘Poorly’ Sammis, and George E Stone as Ropes McGonigle. Charles Bronson appears, uncredited, as Phil Green aka ‘Pittsburgh Philo’. Also in the cast are Henry Slate as Dave the Dude, Edwin Max as Lookout Louie Larchment, Richard Allan as Curtaintime Charlie, Sharon Baird, Ralph Volkie and Timothy Carey.

The writers are Sy Gomberg (screenplay) and Albert Mannheimer (adaptation), based on the Bloodhounds of Broadway 1931 story in Collier’s by Damon Runyon.

It is shot at 20th Century Fox Studios, 10201 Pico Blvd., Century City, Los Angeles.

It is remade in 1989 as Bloodhounds of Broadway starring Matt Dillon and Madonna.

© Derek Winnert 2021 Classic Movie Review 10,789

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