The Big Broadcast

The Big Broadcast

Year: 1932

Runtime: 87 mins

Language: English

Director: Frank Tuttle

MusicComedyRomance

An insider look at the behind‑the‑scenes world of radio, exposing the secrets stations keep hidden. The top brass at the station become increasingly suspicious that their newly‑signed pop star is devoting more time to his love life than to his performances, threatening his career trajectory and the station’s success.

Warning: spoilers below!

Haven’t seen The Big Broadcast yet? This summary contains major spoilers. Bookmark the page, watch the movie, and come back for the full breakdown. If you're ready, scroll on and relive the story!

Timeline & Setting – The Big Broadcast (1932)

Explore the full timeline and setting of The Big Broadcast (1932). Follow every major event in chronological order and see how the environment shapes the story, characters, and dramatic tension.

Time period

Early 1930s (circa 1932)

Set during the Prohibition era and the rise of radio entertainment, the plot revolves around a major broadcast that could save a failing station. The period features speakeasies, showbiz hustle, and the economic pressures of the Great Depression. The film uses the radio industry backdrop to drive humor, romance, and spectacle.

Location

WADX Radio Station, Speakeasy, Crosby's Apartment, Mona's Apartment

The story unfolds around the bustling WADX radio station and the neon-lit nightlife of a speakeasy, capturing a lively early 1930s entertainment scene. Key locations include the station where performances and schemes unfold, and intimate apartments that host romantic entanglements. The settings blend work, performance, and nightlife in a fast-paced, situational comedy style.

🎷 Jazz Age 🎭 Showbiz 🎶 Radio & Music

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 19:17

Main Characters – The Big Broadcast (1932)

Meet the key characters of The Big Broadcast (1932), with detailed profiles, motivations, and roles in the plot. Understand their emotional journeys and what they reveal about the film’s deeper themes.

Bing Hornsby (Bing Crosby)

A charismatic radio singer whose carefree attitude and tardiness mask deeper warmth. He quietly engineers a plan to bring two lovers together, using humor and improvisation to navigate personal flaws. His charm helps him win Anita and steer the others toward a hopeful outcome.

🎤 Singer 💫 Charismatic 🎭 Flawed 😅 Comedic

Anita Rogers

WADX secretary and Leslie's former fiancée who falls for Bing. She is compassionate and principled, torn between past loyalties and new love, guiding relationships toward reconciliation. Her honesty anchors the emotional center of the story.

💖 Love interest 🎭 Independent 🧭 Resolute

Leslie McWhinney

A troubled Texas oilman with a generous heart. He funds the station to save Crosby and pays a pivotal role in reuniting the lovers. His loyalty and wealth become catalysts for the final broadcast and the film's hopeful tone.

💼 Wealth 🕊️ Generous 🧭 Loyal

Mona Lowe

Crosby's fiancée who betrays him, creating tension in the romance. She reacts with anger when Anita and Crosby reconcile, and her jealousy culminates in a dramatic, physical confrontation before the finale.

💍 Love interest 🌀 Jealousy 🎭 Antagonistic

George Burns (George)

Station manager whose authority erodes amid workplace chaos, ultimately leading to the station's financial decline. He represents the administrative side of show business and its vulnerabilities.

⚙️ Management 🧨 Chaos 🎭 Comedy

Gracie (Gracie Allen)

The stenographer whose scatterbrained humor adds chaotic energy to the station’s daily operations. Her antics amplify the comedic chaos surrounding the station's financial peril.

😂 Comic Relief 🗣️ Quirky 🧩 Mischief

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 19:17

Major Themes – The Big Broadcast (1932)

Explore the central themes of The Big Broadcast (1932), from psychological, social, and emotional dimensions to philosophical messages. Understand what the film is really saying beneath the surface.

🎙️ Radio & Fame

Radio serves as the engine of the plot and a mirror for character ambitions. The on-air persona of Bing and the allure of stardom influence personal choices and relationships. The big broadcast becomes a catalyst for redemption as much as it is a display of talent.

💘 Love & Rivalry

Romantic entanglements among Crosby, Anita, Mona, and Leslie drive the emotional core and conflict. Jealousy, loyalty, and the longing for connection push characters toward risk and bold gestures. The story resolves with honesty and reconciliation, not just spectacle.

🎉 Redemption & Showmanship

Desperate measures to save the station lead to a high-stakes, public showdown that fuses deception and performance. The plot explores how talent and generosity can triumph over chaos. The ending emphasizes second chances and the unifying power of entertainment.

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 19:17

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Movies about chaotic showbiz worlds like The Big Broadcast

Zany comedy and heartfelt drama from behind the scenes of the entertainment world.If you enjoyed the backstage antics of The Big Broadcast, you'll love these films that explore the entertainment industry. Discover movies like The Big Broadcast featuring frantic producers, eccentric stars, and the mad dash to a successful show, all set against a vibrant, behind-the-scenes backdrop.

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Narrative Summary

The narrative typically revolves around a high-pressure production—a broadcast, a play, or a concert—that is threatened by personal entanglements, technical disasters, or egotistical stars. The plot is driven by a race against the clock to resolve these conflicts before the big opening night or live event, interweaving professional stakes with romantic or friendship subplots.

Why These Movies?

These movies are grouped together because they share a specific setting and a blend of tones. They capture the unique, often chaotic energy of creating entertainment, mixing workplace comedy with the heightened emotions of performance, resulting in an exuberant and hopeful vibe.

Fast-paced romantic farce comedies like The Big Broadcast

Fast-paced comedies where love triangles and mistaken identities lead to hilarious chaos.Fans of the whirlwind romance and comic mishaps in The Big Broadcast will enjoy these similar movies. Find films like The Big Broadcast with lighthearted love triangles, whimsical characters, and a breezy, fast-paced plot that keeps the laughs coming on the way to a happy ending.

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Narrative Summary

The narrative pattern involves a central romantic couple (or triangle) whose path to happiness is blocked by a cascade of comedic obstacles, often including mistaken intentions, jealous rivals, and well-intentioned but meddling friends. The plot moves quickly from one humorous predicament to the next, with the emotional stakes kept light enough that the eventual happy ending feels earned and satisfying.

Why These Movies?

This thread groups movies based on their core comedic engine: romance-driven farce. They share a light emotional weight, a fast pace to keep the jokes coming, and a tone that is more whimsical than cynical, ensuring the viewer is always laughing with the characters, not at them.

Unlock the Full Story of The Big Broadcast

Don't stop at just watching — explore The Big Broadcast in full detail. From the complete plot summary and scene-by-scene timeline to character breakdowns, thematic analysis, and a deep dive into the ending — every page helps you truly understand what The Big Broadcast is all about. Plus, discover what's next after the movie.

The Big Broadcast Summary

Read a complete plot summary of The Big Broadcast, including all key story points, character arcs, and turning points. This in-depth recap is ideal for understanding the narrative structure or reviewing what happened in the movie.

The Big Broadcast Summary

The Big Broadcast Timeline

Track the full timeline of The Big Broadcast with every major event arranged chronologically. Perfect for decoding non-linear storytelling, flashbacks, or parallel narratives with a clear scene-by-scene breakdown.

The Big Broadcast Timeline

The Big Broadcast Spoiler-Free Summary

Get a quick, spoiler-free overview of The Big Broadcast that covers the main plot points and key details without revealing any major twists or spoilers. Perfect for those who want to know what to expect before diving in.

The Big Broadcast Spoiler-Free Summary

More About The Big Broadcast

Visit What's After the Movie to explore more about The Big Broadcast: box office results, cast and crew info, production details, post-credit scenes, and external links — all in one place for movie fans and researchers.

More About The Big Broadcast

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