Bloodhounds of Broadway (1952)

Good films always raise compelling questions, whether the format is fiction or documentary fact.

At first rather annoying in its heavy emphasis on reenactments, this movie ultimately proves fascinating, simply because the complicated, highly dramatic tale it tells still almost defies belief.

The first must-see film of the year.

Great example of an old-fashioned, pure-at-heart escapist event movie that doesn't pretend to be anything that it's not and has boat loads of fun being its own ludicrous self.

Damon Runyon whose Guys And Dolls was still running on Broadway when Bloodhounds Of Broadway made its debut with a new musical star. It was a built in audience for 20th Century Fox's new musical star Mitzi Gaynor.Sad to say that Gaynor came along just as musical films were getting fewer and fewer because of the expenses. She got in some good films though including the choice part of Nellie Forbush in South Pacific. Mitzi could sing, dance, and when called for could be very funny, the total package.Bloodhounds of Broadway has Scott Brady leaving the New York jurisdiction to avoid testifying at a New York State Crime Commission. He and sidekick Wally Vernon come to a small Georgia town in the piney woods and there find Mitzi Gaynor with her two trained bloodhounds Nip and Tuck. She's also got Timothy Carey who has ideas of marrying her. I don't know about you but I consider that a fate worse than death. Brady takes her and the hounds back to Broadway though he has to lay low.Brady also has a jealous girlfriend in Marguerite Chapman who might just blow the whistle on him. Brady is head of a large bookmaking operation that uses a laundry for a front. There is a very funny scene with Mary Wickes who has come in the place to get a wash done and she's being discouraged from patronizing the business for that purpose.There's a really good performance from that other Mitzi, Green that is who spent most of her career on Broadway. She takes Gaynor under her wing. Also Michael O'Shea as a cop who grew up with Brady who is now looking to nail him. The music comes from a variety of sources, best number is a hillbilly type dance that Gaynor does with Sharon Baird. You will also spot Charles Bronson in an early role as one of Brady's associates.And those hounds make it complete. Bloodhounds On Broadway holds up well as nice musical entertainment.

Damon Runyon's "Bloodhounds of Broadway" (1952) is basically "Kissin' Cousins" meets "Guys & Dolls"; as New York bookie "Numbers" Foster (Scott Brady) stumbles onto calico-clad Emily Ann Stackerlee (Mitzi Gaynor) in rural Georgia and takes her (and her dogs) with him back to his New York City nightclub.Simply put, no Hollywood actress ever glammed up or plained down with quite the degree of erotic fantasy contrast of Mitzi Gaynor, or at least of a young Mitzi (and she was only 21 when "Bloodhounds of Broadway" was filmed). The mind-blowing qualities of this disparity accounted for much of her popularity with audiences and producers, and gave a special sizzle to her most memorable films. On the other hand, her performances in films that failed to showcase this disparity (like "South Pacific") had a sterile flatness."Bloodhounds of Broadway" neatly exploits Gaynor's physical range, it is almost as if the storyline was written solely for this purpose. Her transformation deliberately lacks subtlety because the whole point is to overwhelm the observer with the contrast, causing them to participate in producing the synergy of the experience. It is plausible only because Gaynor has a unique physical quality which visually sells it, bookending the production at her most innocent with "In the Sweet Bye and Bye" and at her hottest (this side of Cole Porter's "Anything Goes") with "Jack of Diamonds".The audience's reaction to the transformation of Emily Ann nicely illustrates the concept of a film as a semifinished product, to be used by the viewer to complete the artistic process rather than something they simply consume.If you are buying the DVD used (or unsealed) be sure that the two-fold brochure and the 20th Century Fox envelope are included; the envelope contains four miniature black & white lobby cards on glossy heavy stock paper. Then again, what do I know? I'm only a child.

Mitzi Gaynor and Scott Brady starred in this 1952 Damon Runyon tale involving gangsters and some good people.When Brady is returning from Florida, as the heat from the commission investigating him has been turned off, he runs into Georgia hick Mitzi Gaynor. Feeling sorry for her, this bookie brings her back to New York only to realize that she is a 20 year old girl. He sets her up for dancing and naturally being Mitzi Gaynor, she succeeds.As he falls in love with her, he will incur the wrath of his jealous girl who will turn the tables on him.Gaynor was just wonderful in her dance sequences. Mitzi Green is in fine form in a supporting performance as the mob's moll who helps both Gaynor and Brady as the two fall for each other.Very light and amusing entertainment. Look for 2 brief scenes by Charles Bronson as a mobster. Milo O'Shea handles his role as a police officer effectively.

I loved this movie!The music and comedy is superb!All of Mitzi's bubbly talents are showcased here. I would rate this movie right up there with Golden Girl and I don't know why it hasn't been made available on VHS or DVD. I hope it will be soon. She was one of the most beautiful, talented singers and dancers and I never got enough of her before they stopped making those wonderful musicals. She demonstrated an enthusiasm and strength in her dancing that was matchless. I think now is the time to bring her movies back and give all of us a shot in the arm. Good old fashioned clean fun and entertainment!!