Love on Tap (1939)

For some time, Tommy has been trying to marry Penny, manager of the Merriel Abbott Dancers (a real dance group that performs in the film). However, problems with the group keep arising that... See full summary »

Director:

George Sidney

Writers:

Richard Goldstone (original story), Stanley Rauh (original story),

Stars:

Merriel Abbott Dancers, Mary Howard, Truman Bradley

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Merriel Abbott Dancers	...	Themselves
Mary Howard	...	Penny
Truman Bradley	...	Tommy
Garwood Van and His Orchestra	...	Themselves (as Carwood Van and His Orchestra)
Rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Garwood Van	...	Himself - Orchestra Leader (as Carwood Van)

Storyline

For some time, Tommy has been trying to marry Penny, manager of the Merriel Abbott Dancers (a real dance group that performs in the film). However, problems with the group keep arising that postpone the marriage (lost costumes, injuries, etc.). They continue their on-again off-again romance between dance numbers played by Carwood Van and his orchestra.

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Plot Keywords:

dance | orchestra | marriage | dancer | nightclub | 

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Genres:

Musical | Short

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Certificate:

Approved

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

18 March 1939 (USA)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM), Louis Lewyn Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

11 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (RCA Sound System)

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Did You Know?

Quotes

Tommy: Penny, our plane leaves in three minutes!
Penny: But the girls can't go on without costumes!
Tommy: Why not? Fan dancers do.

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Soundtracks

"Stompin' at the Savoy"
(1934)
Music by Benny Goodman, Chick Webb and Edgar M. Sampson

User Reviews

Marriage or Sex with 14 Girls, a Choice

What's entertaining about this, and things like it, is savoring the notion that the people who made it thought they could get away with it.

There are similar affronts today all over the multicinema. But with a little distance, this one is pretty bad.

It is a short to begin with. And 2/3 of it has to be dancing, so the story is as skeletal as possible, more cartoonish than your standard cartoon.

You have your ultrarich handsome, patient guy in love. You have the target of his affection, a sensitive, artistic beauty who manages (owns?) a dance troop of 14 or so dancers. When on stage, the girls are sexy in that way of elegant crotchshowing we are not supposed to notice. When with the owner, they act like children.

The story involves how the "children" get in the way of setting a wedding date, then repair the damage.

The "on tap" part is their tap dancing. They *are* pretty.

Ted's Evaluation -- 1 of 3: You can find something better to do with this part of your life.