Broadway Melody of 1940 Broadway Melody of 1940 Broadway Melody of 1940 is a 1940 MGM film musical starring Fred Astaire, Eleanor Powell and George Murphy. It was directed by Norman Taurog and features music by Cole Porter, including "Begin the Beguine". The film was the fourth and final entry in MGM's "Broadway Melody" series of films, and is notable for being the only on-screen pairing of Astaire and Powell, who were considered the finest film musical dancers of their time. Johnny Brett (Fred Astaire) and King Shaw (George Murphy) are a dance team so down on their luck they're working in a dance
Ella Fitzgerald Sings the Cole Porter Song Book Ella Fitzgerald Sings the Cole Porter Song Book Ella Fitzgerald Sings the Cole Porter Song Book is a 1956 studio album by American jazz singer Ella Fitzgerald, accompanied by a studio orchestra conducted and arranged by Buddy Bregman, focusing on the songs of Cole Porter. This was Fitzgerald's first album for the newly created Verve Records (and the first album to be released by the label.) Granz decided to have Fitzgerald record well-established popular works becauseI was interested in how I could enhance Ella’s position, to make her a singer with more than just a cult following amongst jazz fans.