Anyone else agree with me that this is a beautiful and tragically underrated classic?

(Willing to expand later, but thought I'd throw out the bait first.)

Is this the one with Allen playing Cello in a marching band?

Nah, that would be Take the Money and Run, another underrated film, albeit in a lesser league to Broadway Danny Rose.

Interesting these two should be mentioned together. I think BROADWAY DANNY ROSE is Woody Allen's film with the most heart, his warmest film, and that TAKE THE MONEY AND RUN is his funniest. My two favourite Allen's.

How's this for a deal: today I picked up new DVD copies of BROADWAY DANNY ROSE, PURPLE ROSE OF CAIRO and BAGDAD CAFE for an amazing price - three for $20! Canadian funds, mind you. About five and a half buck apiece, Yankee moolah. Maybe eight pounds sterling, all told? Darn groovy.

FWIW, I've seen Broadway Danny Rose only twice -- it hasn't compelled me to watch it again and again the way that, say, The Purple Rose of Cairo or Love and Death have. (I do recall being impressed by a line in which Woody sings the praises of Danny Kaye.) But I do own a copy, so hey, Alvy, tell us all what to look for, and I'll look for it!

Yes! I do! It's possibly the sweetest film he's ever made and it contains the funniest scene I have ever seen in any Woody Allen film.


A gun fight in a helium balloon factory was always going to be hilarious.

I love it dearly. In fact, I shall dig out my video of it when I go home and watch it and feel my cockles warm up instantly. Thanks for reminding me of it's existence.

Ron hit the nail on the head: Of all Woody's films, Broadway Danny Rose is the one with the most heart. There's so much warmth in the deli scenes (who was it on A&F who said there was "something of the disciples" about the characters?), and the relationship between Danny (Allen) and Tina (Farrow) is so beautifully portrayed. I love the way grace nudges them gently towards reconciliation at the end. And I don't think those themes of guilt, goodness, grace, forgiveness and reconciliation are overdone or pretentiously realized. It's all so genuinely human, sincere and free of the cold cynicism of, say, [*wretch*] Deconstructing Harry. Woody (as author) looks with real affection upon his characters in this one, I think, rather than contempt as in the aforementioned travesty.

Plus it's brilliantly witty (yes, the gunfight in the helium balloon factory was a stroke of genius) and has a great narrative, related very charmingly.