Dancing Lady

{{Infobox film

| name = Dancing Lady

| image = Crawford gable astaire dancinglady poster.jpg

| caption = theatrical poster

| director = Robert Z. Leonard

| producer = John W. Considine Jr.

| based_on = {{based on|Dancing Lady
1932 novel|James Warner Bellah}}

| writer = Allen Rivkin
P.J. Wolfson
Uncredited:
Robert Benchley
Zelda Sears

| starring = Joan Crawford
Clark Gable

| music = Louis Silvers

| cinematography = Oliver T. Marsh

| editing = Margaret Booth

| studio = Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer

| distributor = Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer

| released = {{Film date|1933|11|24}}

| runtime = 90 minutes

| country = United States

| language = English

| budget = $923,000{{Citation|title=The Eddie Mannix Ledger|publisher=Margaret Herrick Library, Center for Motion Picture Study|place=Los Angeles, California}}.

| gross = $2.4 million

}}

Dancing Lady is a 1933 American pre-Code musical film starring Joan Crawford and Clark Gable, and featuring Franchot Tone, Fred Astaire, Robert Benchley, and Ted Healy and his Stooges (later the Three Stooges). The picture was directed by Robert Z. Leonard, produced by John W. Considine Jr., and was based on the novel of the same name by James Warner Bellah, published the previous year. The movie had a hit song in "Everything I Have Is Yours" by Burton Lane and Harold Adamson.

The film features the screen debut of dancer Fred Astaire, who appears as himself, as well as the first credited film appearance of Nelson Eddy, and an early feature film appearance of the Three Stooges' best-known lineup—Moe, Curly, and Larry—in support of the leader of their act at the time, Ted Healy, whose role in the film is considerably larger than theirs. The Algonquin Round Table humorist Robert Benchley plays a supporting role.

In the original film, Larry Fine completes a jigsaw puzzle only to discover to his disgust that it's a picture of Adolf Hitler. This was ordered removed by the Production Code censors before the film was released to theaters, because they claimed it was an insult to a foreign head of state. The scene was restored to the TV release but not to the video release.

Plot

File:Joan Crawford and Franchot Tone in 'Dancing Lady'.jpg

Janie Barlow, a young dancer initially relegated to performing striptease in a burlesque show, encounters a significant turn of events when she is arrested for indecent exposure. However, her predicament takes a fortuitous turn as she is bailed out by Tod Newton, a wealthy socialite who was captivated by her while attending the theater with his elite circle.

Motivated by his attraction to Janie, Tod intervenes in her career aspirations, leveraging his financial influence to secure her a role in a Broadway musical under the direction of Patch Gallagher. Initially hesitant due to artistic considerations, Patch ultimately relents upon witnessing Janie's exceptional dancing abilities.

As Janie's talent propels her from a chorus role to a leading part, replacing Vivian Warner, Tod's romantic ambitions become conflicted. Fearing the loss of Janie's affection should she achieve stardom, Tod orchestrates the closure of the show, leaving Janie unemployed. However, upon discovering Tod's manipulative actions, Janie severs ties with him and aligns herself with Patch, her newfound romantic interest and benefactor.

Together with Patch's financial support and Janie's talent, they resurrect the show, which garners immense success. This narrative of perseverance, betrayal, and ultimate triumph underscores the transformative journey of Janie from an aspiring dancer to a celebrated star of the stage.Green, Stanley (1999) Hollywood Musicals Year by Year (2nd ed.), pub. Hal Leonard Corporation {{ISBN|0-634-00765-3}} page 26

Cast

Joan Crawford as Janie "Duchess" Barlow
Clark Gable as Patch Gallagher
Franchot Tone as Tod Newton
May Robson as Dolly Todhunter
Winnie Lightner as Rosette LaRue
Fred Astaire as himself
Robert Benchley as Ward King
Art Jarrett as himself
Grant Mitchell as Jasper Bradley, Sr.
Ted Healy as Steve, Patch's assistant
Moe Howard as Moe, a stagehand
Curly Howard as Curly, a stagehand
Larry Fine as Harry, a pianist
Nelson Eddy as himself
Maynard Holmes as Jasper Bradley, Jr.
Sterling Holloway as Pinky
Gloria Foy as Vivian Warner
Eve Arden as Marcia, the Southern Actress (uncredited)

Reception

Dancing Lady was a box office hit upon its release and drew mostly positive reviews from critics. Mordaunt Hall in The New York Times wrote, "It is for the most part quite a lively affair.... The dancing of Fred Astaire and Miss Crawford is most graceful and charming. The photographic effects of their scenes are an impressive achievement....Miss Crawford takes her role with no little seriousness."Hall, Mordaunt. [https://movies.nytimes.com/movie/review?res=9D05E7D7133FE63ABC4953DFB4678388629EDE "Joan Crawford, Clark Gable and Franchot Tone in the Capitol's New Pictorial Offering"] The New York Times (December 1, 1933)

Box office

According to MGM records the film earned $1,490,000 in the US and Canada and $916,000 elsewhere, resulting in a profit of $744,000.

References

External links

{{AFI film|3436}}
{{TCMDb title|101}}
{{IMDb title|0023926}}
[http://www.joancrawfordbest.com/filmsdancing.htm "Dancing Lady"] at the Joan Crawford Encyclopedia

Category:1933 films

Category:1933 musical comedy films

Category:1933 romantic comedy films

Category:American musical comedy films

Category:American romantic comedy films

Category:American romantic musical films

Category:American black-and-white films

Category:Films directed by Robert Z. Leonard

Category:Films set in New York City

Category:Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer films

Category:The Three Stooges films

Category:Films produced by David O. Selznick