Shall We Dance (1937)

A budding romance between a ballet master and a tap dancer becomes complicated when rumors surface that they're already married.

Director:

Mark Sandrich

Writers:

Allan Scott (screen play), Ernest Pagano (screen play)

Stars:

Fred Astaire, Ginger Rogers, Edward Everett Horton

Nominated for 1 Oscar. Another 3 nominations.

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Fred Astaire	...	Peter P. Peters aka Petrov
Ginger Rogers	...	Linda Keene
Edward Everett Horton	...	Jeffrey Baird
Eric Blore	...	Cecil Flintridge
Jerome Cowan	...	Arthur Miller
Ketti Gallian	...	Lady Tarrington
William Brisbane	...	Jim Montgomery
Ann Shoemaker	...	Shipboard Gossip Matron
Harriet Hoctor	...	Harriet Hoctor - Dancer

Storyline

Ballet star Pete "Petrov" Peters arranges to cross the Atlantic aboard the same ship as the dancer he's fallen for but barely knows, musical star Linda Keene. By the time the ocean liner reaches New York, a little white lie has churned through the rumor mill and turned into a hot gossip item: that the two celebrities are secretly married.

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Plot Keywords:

ballet | ocean liner | gossip | dancer | ship | 

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Taglines:

Foot-free Fred and joyous Ginger...in their gayest, gladdest show!

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Genres:

Comedy | Musical | Romance

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Certificate:

Approved

Did You Know?

Trivia

The song, "Hi-Ho," was written for this movie as an opening number, but was dropped because of the expense of filming it. It was published in 1967. The song "Wake Up Brother and Dance" was also written for the movie and published in 1937 with the other songs, but it was dropped to make room for the title song. It appeared in the movie Kiss Me, Stupid (1964) with the title "Sophia."

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Goofs

At one part, Petrov is standing in front of a full-length mirror talking to Jeffrey. The reflection in the mirror doesn't match the actor's (or stand-in) playing Petrov's movements.

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Quotes

Jeffrey Baird: [picks up phone] Hello?
Cecil Flintridge: Oh, hello, Jeffrey. Yes, are you there?
Jeffrey Baird: Of course I'm here.
Cecil Flintridge: Now don't shout at me - I'm in jail.
Jeffrey Baird: Well, that's all right; we don't need you.
Cecil Flintridge: I'm in jail for battery, and I want you to get me out. I'm at the Susquehannah Street Jail . . . Susquehannah! Susquehannah - S-U-S-Q-U-Q! Q! You know, the thing you play billiards with . . . Billiards! B-I-L-L-
Policeman at Jail: What is this, a spelling bee?
Cecil Flintridge: Ahem. No, "L" for larynx. L-A-R-Y . . . N-No, not "M", N! . . . "N" as in neighbor! Neighbor, ...
[...]

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Crazy Credits

When George Gershwin's name appears in the credits, a bit of "Rhapsody in Blue" plays on the soundtrack.

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Connections

Referenced in M*A*S*H: The Abduction of Margaret Houlihan (1976)

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Soundtracks

They Can't Take That Away from Me
(1937) (uncredited)
Words by Ira Gershwin
Music by George Gershwin
Played during the opening credits and often in the score
Sung by Fred Astaire

User Reviews

a frivolous farce? of course. Irresistible? Undoubtedly!!

Why did I have to watch this 5 times in the last 2 weeks?

Well, I can't explain. I guess because this is one of those rare cases where a movie becomes a masterpiece in spite of a (intentionally!) loose storyline; the strength of the choreography, melodies, and the pure delight of dance sequences gives it all. There's Fred Astaire, there's Ginger Rogers, and there's the Fred-Ginger duo - 3 (sic.) distinct personalities! I have watched scores of musicals - but never have I been so bewitched by duet dance sequences unaccompanied by any of the garish excesses characteristic of the Hollywood musical.

Just think of the number " Let's call the whole Thing Off"; what grace, what poise of the couple tap-dancing on roller skates! And oh, what wondrous blend of lyrics and melody. And closely follows another number that, in all it's apparent lightness, provides a counterpoint that makes one misty eyed.

About the solo dance sequences of Fred - the one in the ship's boiler room, the brilliant choreography of his tapdancing with the "pistons" moving in phase, well - it's superhuman!

I shouldn't miss mentioning Edward Everett Horton ("Jeffrey", "Petrov"'s impresserio) - for his misadventures hold the struggling storyline of movie on, just as it was probably meant to be. Eric Blore ("Cecil", the floor manager of the hotel) does his inimitable role as in many other Fred-Ginger musicals; rarely have I seen anything more hilarious than the telephone conversation between Cecil (from jail!!) and Jeffrey.

It's unalloyed and delightful entertainment for those who love musicals. Just forget the world and enter into a dreamland for 108 minutes!

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English French

Release Date:

7 May 1937 (USA)

Also Known As:

Stepping Toes

Filming Locations:

RKO Studios - 780 N. Gower Street, Hollywood, Los Angeles, California, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$991,000 (estimated)

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$6,662

Company Credits

Production Co:

RKO Radio Pictures

Technical Specs

Runtime:

109 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (RCA Victor System)

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1