You are here:

Angels Over Broadway

Name: Angels Over Broadway
Director: Ben Hecht, Lee Garmes
Released: 1940
Duration: 79 min

Representation Score

1.6/10

Minimal

1940

Director

Ben Hecht, Lee Garmes

Runtime

79 minutes

Average Rating

No ratings yet

New Showbiz Analysis

Angels Over Broadway is a period drama that adheres to the conventional structures of the early 1940s studio system. The story prioritizes individual redemption and character-driven conflict over any meaningful challenge to social hierarchies. The film reinforces traditional gender and racial norms, presenting a homogeneous cast and straight-centered relationships. While the female lead participates in the plot, the narrative weight remains heavily focused on the male protagonist's crisis. Ultimately, the work lacks the intentionality needed to provide characters who reflect more than one aspect of diversity or challenge the established cultural norms of its time.

Watch this, not that →

Category Breakdown

Does Angels Over Broadway have LGBTQ+ representation?

Minimal

The film does not include any queer subtext or non-cisgender identities. Romantic relationships are strictly heterosexual, following typical cinematic conventions of the era.

How does Angels Over Broadway portray gender?

Limited

Nina Barone plays a significant role in the central plot but reacts primarily to the male protagonist's actions. The story emphasizes traditional masculine roles centered around financial and existential pressures.

How racially and ethnically diverse is Angels Over Broadway?

Minimal

The cast is shown as a homogeneous group, lacking multi-layered casting. There is no indication of racial or ethnic diversity among the main characters.

How does Angels Over Broadway represent religion and culture?

Fair

The plot centers on personal moral failings and interpersonal loyalty rather than a critique of capitalism. It serves as a character-driven drama without challenging societal norms.

Does Angels Over Broadway include disability representation?

Minimal

There is no depiction of visible or invisible disabilities. No characters are shown with physical impairments, neurodivergence, or chronic health conditions.

Present on Screen

Nina Barone, the female lead, plays a significant role in the central plot to save the protagonist.

Limited or Absent

The film lacks racial and ethnic diversity, presenting a homogeneous cast.
There is no representation of LGBTQ+ identities or queer subtext.
The narrative fails to include any characters with visible or invisible disabilities.
Gender roles remain traditional, with the female lead reacting to male-driven crises.

Official Synopsis

Small-time businessman Charles Engle is threatened with exposure for embezzling $3,000 for his free-spending wife. Deciding on suicide, he scribbles a note, stuffs it in his pocket and goes for one last night on the town. He is pulled into a poker game by conman Bill O'Brien and singer Nina Barone, but when they discover the dropped note, they resolve to turn the tables, get Engle his $3,000 and save his life.

How are these scores produced? →