''Dancing Lady'' is a 1933 American pre-Code

musical film Musical film is a film genre in which songs by the characters are interwoven into the narrative, sometimes accompanied by dancing. The songs usually advance the plot or develop the film's characters, but in some cases, they serve merely as breaks ...

starring Joan Crawford and Clark Gable, and featuring Franchot Tone, Fred Astaire, Robert Benchley, and Ted Healy and His Stooges (who later became The Three Stooges with

Curly Curly is a surname, given name, nickname or stage name. It may refer to: First name, nickname or stage name * Crazy Horse (1840–1877), Oglala Sioux war chief nicknamed "Curly" * Curly (scout), nickname of Ashishishe (c. 1856–1923), Crow In ...

Moe Moe, MOE, MoE or m.o.e. may refer to: In arts and entertainment Characters * Moe Szyslak, from the animated television show ''The Simpsons'' * Moe, leader of The Three Stooges, played by Moe Howard * Moe Higurashi, supporting character in ''Yash ...

and Larry). The picture was directed by Robert Z. Leonard, produced by

John W. Considine Jr. John W. Considine Jr. (October 7, 1898 – March 22, 1961) was an American film producer. He joined MGM from Fox in 1932 and remained with the company for the rest of his career. That year he also directed his only film ''Disorderly Conduct''. H ...

and

David O. Selznick David O. Selznick (May 10, 1902June 22, 1965) was an American film producer, screenwriter and film studio executive who produced ''Gone with the Wind'' (1939) and ''Rebecca'' (1940), both of which earned him an Academy Award for Best Picture. E ...

, 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 Burton Lane ( Levy; February 2, 1912 – January 5, 1997) was an American composer and lyricist primarily known for his theatre and film scores. His most popular and successful works include '' Finian's Rainbow'' in 1947 and ''On a Clear Day You ...

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 – Moe Howard, Curly Howard, and Larry Fine – 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 The Algonquin Round Table was a group of New York City writers, critics, actors, and wits. Gathering initially as part of a practical joke, members of "The Vicious Circle", as they dubbed themselves, met for lunch each day at the Algonquin Hotel ...

humorist Robert Benchley plays a supporting role. In the original film, Larry Fine completes his jigsaw puzzle only to discover to his disgust that it's a picture of Hitler. This was removed by the Production Code 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

Janie Barlow ( Joan Crawford) is a young dancer who is reduced to stripping in a

burlesque A burlesque is a literary, dramatic or musical work intended to cause laughter by caricaturing the manner or spirit of serious works, or by ludicrous treatment of their subjects.

show. Arrested for indecent exposure, she is bailed out by millionaire playboy Tod Newton ( Franchot Tone) who was attracted to her while slumming at the theatre with his society pals. When she tries to get a part in a Broadway musical, Tod intercedes with director Patch Gallagher ( Clark Gable) to get her the job: he will put his money into the show, if Janie is given a part in the chorus. Even though he needs the money, Patch is resistant, until he sees Janie dance and realizes her talent. When, after hard work and perseverance, Janie is elevated to the star's part – replacing Vivian Warner (

Gloria Foy Gloria Foy (October 25, 1901 –February 27, 1977) was an American dancer, singer, vaudeville performer, and star of musical revues. Her family were theatrical people. Her father was Harry Foy, but she was no relation to the more famous Eddie ...

) – Tod is afraid he will lose any chance of gaining her affection if she becomes a star, so he closes the show, and Janie, out of work, goes away with him. Patch starts rehearsals up again using his own money, and when Janie returns and finds out that Tod has deceived her and manipulated things behind the scenes, she dumps him and joins up with her new sweetheart, Patch, to put on the show, which is a smash hit.

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 ''(credited as Jerry Howard)'' * Larry Fine as Harry, a pianist * Nelson Eddy as himself * Maynard Holmes as Jasper Bradley, Jr. * Sterling Holloway as Pinky *

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
"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

* * * *
"Dancing Lady"
at the Joan Crawford Encyclopedia {{ThreeStooges 1933 films 1933 musical comedy films 1933 romantic comedy films American musical comedy films American romantic comedy films American romantic musical films American black-and-white films Films directed by Robert Z. Leonard Films set in New York City Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer films The Three Stooges films Films produced by David O. Selznick Films scored by Louis Silvers 1930s English-language films 1930s American films

Plot

Cast

Reception

See also

References

External links