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The "Broadway Melody" number begins with a classy stage performance by Kelly that provides a reflexive scene with the beginning of the movie in which Don Lockwood and Lina Lamont arrive to the premier of The Dueling Cavaliers. Both scenes are reminiscent of one another in that Kelly is dressed expensively in a tuxedo, appearing as a rich and upper-class person. Here is where the similarities serve to emphasize the differences in a subtle way. In the beginning sequence Lockwood oozes fake sincerity, the epitome of Hollywood arrogance and the blatant flaunting of wealth associated with greed. Lockwood is introduced on the red carpet by a gushing woman with the audience reacting in an over-the-top manner, designed to emphasize his fame. .
Then, as the camera zooms in on Lockwood as he begins the tale of his beginning, we can see Cosmo shaking his head. This along with the exaggerated slowness of Lockwood's talking speed and the music, serve to inform the audience that Lockwood is lying, or at least stretching the truth. Then as we see the true life story of Lockwood, his words offer such a different image that we know him to be false. He is a representation of every actor or actress who makes it big and becomes blinded by the opulence of the movie industry. This juxtaposes the image of the Hoofer at the beginning of the melody that appears happy and grateful as he sings with passion. .
When the fans then flood the stage to begin a dance, it further serves to make a moral point that following one's passion and love to perform for the sake of entertainment rather than to make more and more money is the right road. This dichotomy epitomizes the consensus narrative by stating that Hollywood's greed is to abhorred, but backs off from stating equivocally and revolutionarily that the whole system and idea of Hollywood must be discarded. The movie sends the message that there is still good to be obtained from entertainment.