The Shannons of Broadway

Although The Shannons of Broadway was not James Gleason’s first film appearance as advertised, it might as well as been: Based on Gleason’s own stage play, the film co-starred Gleason with his wife Lucille Webster. Mr. and Mrs. G. are cast as Mickey and Emma Shannon, a vaudeville duo who meet with a spectacular lack of success. They decide to quit trodding the boards and settle down as the owners of a hotel. But when a previously dormant real-estate transaction pays off, the Shannons are able to re-finance their return to the stage in a big-time Broadway revue. Released in both sound and silent versions, The Shannons of Broadway was remade in 1938 as Goodbye Broadway.