Two Girls on Broadway 1940
Directed by
Lloyd Corrigan
Made by
Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer
Two Girls on Broadway Plot Summary
Read the complete plot summary and ending explained for Two Girls on Broadway (1940). From turning points to emotional moments, uncover what really happened and why it matters.
Molly Mahoney, Joan Blondell forms a vaudeville act with her fiancé Eddie Kerns, George Murphy. They work at a local dance school and dream of Broadway, a spark that pushes Molly to chase bigger stages beyond their small-town gigs.
When they reach New York, Eddie makes his radio debut with his so-called “singing canaries”—a moment that proves the canaries themselves can’t sing, but Eddie’s talent shines through. His impressive start earns him a steady job at the station, and he quickly brings Molly into the orbit of the new opportunity. He also convinces his co-worker Buddy Bartell to grant Molly and her little sister Pat, Lana Turner, an audition, opening a door that promises fame but also stirs tension between the sisters.
Pat catches the eye of the wealthy and often-married playboy Chat Chatsworth, Kent Taylor, who flirts with her and complicates the sisters’ dynamics. Molly, meanwhile, becomes wary when she hears snippets about Chat’s wild past from her gossipy friend Jed Marlowe, Wallace Ford, and she tries to warn her sister about what she might be getting into.
Pat, torn between loyalty to Molly and a growing attraction to Eddie, decides to take a chance with Chat and elopes. Eddie, secretly in love with Pat, is shaken by the news and confesses his true feelings to Molly, who urges him to pursue Pat if that’s where her heart lies. He resolves to follow, hoping to win Pat’s love at last.
The plan takes a turn when Eddie arrives at the apartment to find Pat and Chat already gone. After overhearing a servant’s tip about Pat and Chat’s whereabouts, he races to City Hall to interrupt the ceremony. He breaks into the wedding and declares his love for Pat, and with Molly’s blessing, the couple decides to marry. In the end, Molly’s heart shifts back to her own path, and she returns home, leaving the tumult of the pursuit behind but carrying with her the lessons of love, ambition, and sisterhood.
Two Girls on Broadway Timeline
Follow the complete movie timeline of Two Girls on Broadway (1940) with every major event in chronological order. Great for understanding complex plots and story progression.
Molly and Eddie form a vaudeville act and head to New York
Molly Mahoney partners with her fiancé Eddie Kerns to form a vaudeville act. They dream of stardom on Broadway and decide to leave their town for New York City. This move sets in motion both their career ambitions and the tensions to come.
Eddie debuts on the radio with singing canaries
Eddie makes his radio debut with his 'singing canaries,' even though the birds can't sing. His performance impresses listeners and he earns a job offer at the station. The opportunity marks a turning point for their ambitions.
Audition is arranged for Molly and Pat
Eddie pushes Buddy Bartell to give Molly and Pat an audition. The audition promises a big opportunity but also hints at the rivalry to come between the sisters. The event marks the first major step toward professional exposure.
Tension grows as Bartell considers a Eddie-Pat duo
Bartell suggests pairing Eddie with Pat, triggering tension over who should be in the spotlight. Molly, meanwhile, is offered a degrading job selling cigarettes, a humiliation she endures to support her sister. She intentionally lets Pat take the spotlight to protect family pride.
Chatsworth falls for Pat and flirts
Wealthy playboy Chatsworth falls for Pat and begins to flirt with her. Pat is flattered by the attention but remains torn between her sister and the new possibilities. The affair introduces a new complication to the trio's dynamics.
Molly learns Chatsworth's past and warns Pat
Molly learns about Chatsworth's wild past from her gossip friend Jed Marlowe. She warns Pat that the glittering lifestyle could bring trouble. Pat's affections for Eddie intensify as these warnings swirl around her.
Pat returns home to spare Molly
Feeling it's best not to hurt Molly or disrupt her engagement, Pat decides to go home. She plans to withdraw from the upcoming spotlight and step back from the romance she shares with Eddie. Molly remains unaware of Pat's true reasons.
Pat elopes with Chatsworth
Pat accepts Chatsworth's proposal and elopes with him, hoping to escape the painful triangle. Eddie is unsettled because he has quietly loved Pat all along. The elopement clears the way for a confrontation that is long overdue.
Eddie reveals his feelings to Molly
Hearing of Pat's marriage, Eddie admits to Molly that he has long been in love with Pat. The confession deepens their understanding and prompts a new consideration of happiness for all involved. Molly shows growth and a willingness to support Pat's future.
Eddie interrupts City Hall wedding and proclaims love
Eddie races to City Hall after overhearing Pat and Chatsworth's whereabouts and interrupts the wedding ceremony. He proclaims his love for Pat in front of the witnesses, creating a dramatic turning point toward a possible union. The interruption challenges Pat's immediate plans and tests loyalties.
Molly grants blessing and Pat and Eddie marry
With Molly's blessing, Pat and Eddie decide to marry. Molly returns home, having supported her sister's happiness and found her own resilience in the process. The story closes with a hopeful note for all three as they move forward.
Two Girls on Broadway Characters
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Molly Mahoney (Joan Blondell)
Molly is a devoted sister who forms a vaudeville act and longs to shine on Broadway. She hides her pride to give Pat the spotlight, balancing ambition with family loyalty. Her resilience and pragmatism help her navigate the treacherous showbiz world while keeping her moral compass intact.
Eddie Kerns (George Murphy)
Eddie is a charming, talented singer who lands a radio job after a strong debut. He secretly loves Pat and wrestles with loyalty to Molly and his own career. He acts with sincerity, ultimately choosing to pursue genuine love with Pat.
Pat Mahoney (Lana Turner)
Pat is Molly's younger sister who seeks the limelight and struggles with what to sacrifice for fame. She forms a complicated bond with Eddie while navigating Chat's advances. Ultimately, she follows her heart, choosing love over social expectations.
Chat Chatsworth (Kent Taylor)
Chat is a wealthy, worldly playboy who falls for Pat and symbolizes the allure and danger of a glamorous, unstable lifestyle. His past and reputation contrast with Pat's aspirations. He ultimately becomes part of the romance-driven conflict surrounding the sisters.
Jed Marlowe (Wallace Ford)
Jed is a gossipy observer who hints at the truths behind showbiz’s glitter. He serves as a catalyst for the drama by sharing information about Chat's past. He represents the public's appetite for scandal in the entertainment world.
Buddy Bartell (Richard Lane)
Buddy is a savvy co-worker who controls opportunities at the radio station. He pushes the plan to pair Eddie and Pat, highlighting how industry politics shape careers. His actions reflect the opportunistic side of show business.
Two Girls on Broadway Settings
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Location
New York City, Broadway
New York City provides the vibrant backdrop for the sisters' ascent in vaudeville and radio culture. The film hints at Broadway's glamour and the gritty hustle of dance schools, radio studios, and social scenes. The city is depicted as a place where ambition drives people to chase fame, often at personal cost.
Two Girls on Broadway Themes
Discover the main themes in Two Girls on Broadway (1940). Analyze the deeper meanings, emotional layers, and social commentary behind the film.
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Showbiz
The pursuit of stardom in vaudeville and early radio drives the plot, showing how talent competes with opportunity and publicity. Molly's dream of Broadway clashes with the compromises required by the industry. The film highlights the pressure to prioritize image over substance, while resilience keeps the dream alive.
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Family
Siblings and friends navigate loyalty, sacrifice, and protective love. Molly shields Pat from hurt by letting her take the spotlight, testing their bond and pride. The story reinforces family support as a source of strength through tough choices.
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Romance
Romantic entanglements drive the emotional core: Pat's feelings for Eddie threaten their plans, while Chat's charm complicates her decisions. Eddie's hidden love for Pat clashes with social expectations, prompting him to act decisively. The finale centers on choosing honesty and love over status.
Two Girls on Broadway Spoiler-Free Summary
Discover the spoiler-free summary of Two Girls on Broadway (1940). Get a concise overview without any spoilers.
In the glittering world of Broadway, the promise of a spotlight is matched only by the relentless rhythm of rehearsals, auditions, and the ever‑present hum of the city’s jazz‑filled streets. The film opens amid the bustling energy of a New York that throbs with melody, where hopeful performers chase the elusive spark that could launch them from modest clubs to the legendary stages of the Great White Way.
Eddie Kerns, a charismatic songwriter with a knack for turning a simple tune into a crowd‑pleaser, seizes a chance to sell his latest number to a savvy producer. The deal comes with an unexpected invitation: a dancing role that could be his foothold in the capital of show business. He brings his fiancée, Molly Mahoney, whose own ambitions are as bright as his, and her younger sister, Pat, whose talent for performance shines through even the smallest gestures. The producer, ever the gatekeeper of dreams, spots Pat’s potential and offers her a coveted part, while Molly finds herself assigned a more modest “cigarette girl” job that keeps her close to the action without stealing the limelight.
Amidst the glitter, the sleek social circles introduce Chat Chatsworth, a charming yet notoriously married playboy whose flirtations add a layer of complication to the sisters’ already tangled aspirations. Pat, caught between admiration for Eddie’s rising star and the allure of Chat’s confident advances, begins to navigate a delicate balance of loyalty and desire. Meanwhile, Molly’s pragmatic nature forces her to weigh the cost of ambition against the safety of her relationships, setting up a subtle dance of emotional give‑and‑take.
The tone of the film is a buoyant blend of musical comedy and romantic intrigue, echoing the classic sensibility of early Hollywood while offering a fresh glimpse into the dreams that drive performers. With snappy dialogue, lively choreography, and a backdrop of soaring orchestration, the story invites viewers to feel the pulse of Broadway and wonder which of the characters’ aspirations will harmonize—and which might fall out of step.
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