Bolero (1934)

An egotistical nightclub dance performer named Raoul, has the determination to succeed at all costs, and the only woman in his life that truly matters to him is a dancing partner named Helen.

Directors:

Wesley Ruggles, Mitchell Leisen (uncredited)

Writers:

Horace Jackson (screenplay), Carey Wilson (story)

Stars:

George Raft, Carole Lombard, Sally Rand

Cast

Cast overview:
George Raft	...	Raoul De Baere
Carole Lombard	...	Helen Hathaway
Sally Rand	...	Annette
Frances Drake	...	Leona
William Frawley	...	Mike DeBaere
Gertrude Michael	...	Lady D'Argon
Ray Milland	...	Lord Robert Coray (as Raymond Milland)
Gloria Shea	...	Lucy

Storyline

This is the story of an egotistical nightclub dance performer named Raoul, his determination to succeed at all costs, and the only woman in his life that truly matters to him, a dancing partner named Helen. (The highlight of the film is a dance performed atop a circular stage to a truncated version of Ravel's "Bolero.")

---

Plot Keywords:

vaudeville | beer garden | champagne | bolero | nightclub | 

---

Taglines:

...He rose to fame on a ladder of dancing ladies. (Print Ad-Calgary Daily Herald, ((Calgary, Alta.)) 26 March 1934)

---

Genres:

Drama | Music

---

Certificate:

Approved

Did You Know?

Trivia

Marice Ravel's symphonic orchestra composition "Bolero" premiered in Paris in 1929, which became the rage of the Parisienne concert stage. Adolf Zukor, in charge of the Hollywood Paramount Film Studios, from 1916-1936, demanded to own the "Bolero" music's film rights following the international success of "Bolero", assuming "Bolero" was an opera. Adolf Zukor didn't know he was not buying an opera. Upon the acquisition, of "Bolero," the story department had to come up with a scenario to use the title "Bolero" for a Paramount feature film.

---

Quotes

Raoul De Baere: You wouldn't get rich on what I'd pay you.
Helen Hathaway: There are other ways to get rich.

---

Connections

Followed by Rumba (1935)

---

Soundtracks

Clair de Lune
(uncredited)
Written by Claude Debussy

User Reviews

A must see; for the dancing, if not for the plot.

This is a dance film very much in the classic mold. An arrogant but popular dancer is dumped by his/her partner/lover and takes a new partner in order to win a contest against the former, only to fall in love again, this time for real.

"Saturday Night Fever" any one?

What makes this movie so worth watching is not the plot, nor even the dancing: it is the manner in which it is presented.

George Raft, sleazy as ever, tells Carole Lombard, who has come to audition in his hotel room, to do so in her underwear. She complies without complaint. Later in the film Sally Rand performs her famous Fan Dance. Properly done, a woman hides her complete nudity behind two enormous ostrich feather fans, while keeping herself and the fans in constant motion.

It is safe to say that neither of these scenes would have been possible a year later, nor for another thirty after that.

If you enjoy precode films, and would like to see how far the studios would go in order to get those depression dollars, or could go to irritate the censors, this is a fine example.

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

23 February 1934 (USA)

Also Known As:

ボレロ（1934）

Filming Locations:

Paramount Studios - 5555 Melrose Avenue, Hollywood, Los Angeles, California, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

Paramount Pictures

Technical Specs

Runtime:

85 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (Western Electric Noiseless Recording)

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1