critics consensus

Broadway: The Golden Age is a breezy, affectionate tribute to a sparkling array of the era's best and brightest. Read critic reviews

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Broadway: The Golden Age Photos

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Movie Info

Filmmaker Rick McKay directs this oral history about the golden age of live theater in New York City during the 1940s and '50s. The film includes interviews with the actors, singers, dancers, authors, directors and producers of some of Broadway's greatest shows, as well as reminiscences from younger actors inspired by the greats of this era. Over 100 interviews are included, from stars such as Bea Arthur, Angela Lansbury, Charles Nelson Reilly and Elaine Stritch.

Genre:

documentary
Original Language:

English
Director:

Rick McKay
Producer:

Anne L. Bernstein, Albert Tapper
Writer:

Rick McKay
Release Date (Theaters):

Jun 11, 2004 limited
Release Date (Streaming):

Nov 9, 2004
Runtime:

1h 49m
Sound Mix:

Dolby SR

Cast & Crew

Edie Adams
Self

Beatrice Arthur
Self

Elizabeth Ashley
Self

Alec Baldwin
Self

John Barrowman
Self

Bryan Batt
Self

Show all Cast & Crew

Critic Reviews for Broadway: The Golden Age

All Critics (46) | Top Critics (23) | Fresh (38) | Rotten (8)

Quote not available.

November 13, 2004 | Rating: 3.5/5 | Full Review…

Rachel Proctor May
Austin Chronicle
For theater lovers -- on both sides of the footlights.

October 28, 2004 | Rating: 3.5/4 | Full Review…

Jeff Strickler
Minneapolis Star Tribune
Old-timers, showbiz buffs and big-stage wanna-bes will not be disappointed.

October 1, 2004 | Rating: B-

Tom Long
Detroit News
Rather than listen to these old-timers reminisce about the good old days ... my advice is to get out and support your local thespians instead.

October 1, 2004 | Rating: 2/4 | Full Review…

John Monaghan
Detroit Free Press
McKay's straightforward cinematic valentine, which also includes rare archival stage footage, is a treat for those bedazzled by the idea of Broadway in its prime.

September 24, 2004 | Rating: 3/4 | Full Review…

Misha Berson
Seattle Times
[The subjects] eagerly unwind before McKay's one-man camera, reminiscing about everything from their finest hours to the days when ticket prices still ran in single digits.

September 24, 2004 | Rating: 3/5 | Full Review…

Peter Howell
Toronto Star
Quote not available.

January 10, 2013 | Rating: B

Emanuel Levy
EmanuelLevy.Com
It's the sort of history you could nibble on for hours.

November 5, 2004 | Rating: B+

Shawn Levy
Oregonian
Whether it's Julie Harris weeping as she recalls an Ethel Waters performance she saw 60 years ago or Marian Seldes lamenting the cruelty of show biz or Ann Miller blithely carving a decade off her age, there's no arguing that these years were golden.

October 28, 2004 | Rating: 3/4

Chris Hewitt
St. Paul Pioneer Press
Its appeal isn't likely to cross over to those who don't already have the Broadway bug, or share the recollections themselves.

October 14, 2004 | Rating: 2/4

Jack Zink
South Florida Sun-Sentinel
I can think of no higher compliment than to report that after seeing it, I wanted to rush out and see a play.

September 24, 2004 | Full Review…

Robert W. Butler
Kansas City Star
What makes Golden Age compelling cinema is the archival material that McKay has assembled to bind his loose and often casually unfocused interviews.

September 24, 2004 | Rating: 3/5 | Full Review…

John Coulbourn
Jam! Movies

View All Critic Reviews (46)

Audience Reviews for Broadway: The Golden Age

Oct 29, 2007

fascinating documentary with an amazing bevy of theatre performers and legends.

jay n Super Reviewer
Oct 28, 2007

A living record of an age which unfortunately I will never be able to experience. It is true that Broadway is still with us but it pales in comparison to the stories told in this film about the "golden age".

John B Super Reviewer