''Burning Up Broadway'' is a 1928 American silent

drama film In film and television, drama is a category or genre of narrative fiction (or semi-fiction) intended to be more serious than humorous in tone. Drama of this kind is usually qualified with additional terms that specify its particular super ...

, directed by

Phil Rosen Philip E. Rosen (May 8, 1888 – October 22, 1951) was an American film director and cinematographer. He directed more than 140 films between 1915 and 1949. He was born in Malbork, Marienburg, German Empire (now, Malbork, Poland), grew up ...

. It stars

Helene Costello Helene Costello (June 21, 1906 – January 26, 1957) was an American stage and film actress, most notably of the silent era. Early life and career Born in New York City, Costello was the youngest daughter of the prominent stage and pioneering ...

Robert Frazer Robert Frazer (born Robert William Browne, June 29, 1891August 17, 1944) was an American actor who appeared in some 224 shorts and films from the 1910s until his death. He began in films with the Eclair company which released through Universal ...

, and Sam Hardy, and was released February 1928.

Plot

Spike and Nick own a speakeasy in New York, where the chief chorus girl is Floss. When native New Yorker Harry Wells is visited by his friend from out west, Bob Travers, he takes Bob to the club. At the club, Travers becomes entranced with Floss, which becomes an issue with Spike, who is also romantically interested in her. Travers goes back to the club the following night, where he runs into Wells. Trying to find out more about Floss, Travers discovers that not only do Spike and Nick own the club, but they are also bootleggers. When he is discovered snooping, Spike and Nick knock Travers out, then take Floss with them as they go to receive their next shipment of bootleg liquor. Wells discovers Travers and revives him, revealing that he is in fact a revenue agent. He and Travers join Wells other agents and track Nick and Spike to the shipment drop-off point, where they rescue Floss, who is revealed as another revenue agent working undercover, and arrest Nick and Spike. Travers and Floss are free to continue their romance.

Cast list

as Floss *

as Bob Travers * Sam Hardy as Spike *

Ernest Hilliard Ernest Hilliard (January 31, 1890 – September 3, 1947) was an American actor. He appeared in more than 90 films between 1921 and 1947. He was born in New York City and died in Santa Monica, California, from a heart attack. Selected filmog ...

as Harry Wells * Max Asher as Nick * Jack Rich as Slim

Production

In early August 1927, it was announced that ''Burning Up Broadway'' would be one of eight features on Sterling Picture's 1927-28 schedule. Frances Guihan and Norman Houston had finished the screenplay in November 1927, and production on the film was scheduled to start filming on November 21, with Joe Rock as producer. In the beginning December Helene Costello was tagged as the female lead in the film. At the same time it was made known that Robert Frazer, Ernest Hilliard, and

William Davidson William or Bill Davidson may refer to: Businessmen * Bill Davidson (businessman) (1922–2009), Michigan businessman and sports team owner ** William Davidson Institute, University of Michigan, named in honor of Bill Davidson * William Davidson ...

would be in the supporting cast. The picture was scheduled to be released in January 1928. In mid-December Davidson was replaced by Sam Hardy for the male lead. Filming on the picture was completed by the end of December.

Reception

The Film Daily ''The Film Daily'' was a daily publication that existed from 1918 to 1970 in the United States. It was the first daily newspaper published solely for the film industry. It covered the latest trade news, film reviews, financial updates, informatio ...

'' gave the film a positive review, giving good grades on Phil Rosen's direction and Helene Costello's performance. They also enjoyed the mystery and suspense of the story. However, they were less than impressed with the cinematography, calling it "fair". ''

Variety Variety may refer to: Arts and entertainment Entertainment formats * Variety (radio) * Variety show, in theater and television Films * ''Variety'' (1925 film), a German silent film directed by Ewald Andre Dupont * ''Variety'' (1935 film), ...

'' also gave the picture a positive review, calling it "A speedy entertaining production making up in action what it lacks in polish".

References

External links

* * * {{Phil Rosen 1928 drama films 1928 films Silent American drama films American silent feature films Films directed by Phil Rosen American black-and-white films 1920s English-language films 1920s American films