Shall We Dance
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Movie Reviews of Shall We Dance
Movie Review: Fred, Ginger, Edward Everett Horton and Eric Blore
Summary: 5 Stars
"Shall We Dance" introduced some of the great Gershwin songs that more than half a century later were included in shows such as "Crazy for You." Not only are Fred and Ginger at the top of their form, but we also enjoy the great Edward Everett Horton at his double-taking best, and the under-rated Eric Blore at his supercilious-est. The "Slap that Bass" number epitomizes Hollywood's grudging recognition that Blacks possessed great talents, but these could not be shown in any scenes in which they were equal to Whites. The roller-skating scene is another classic, and according to some accounts, required some 150 takes to make it look so smooth.Movie Review: Shall We Dance (1937)
Summary: 5 Stars
Seventh Astaire-Rogers outing finds the formula still fresh, aided by a tip-top Gershwin score (including "They Can't Take That Away From Me" and "Let's Call The Whole Thing Off"), and the return of series veterans Edward Everett Horton and Eric Blore, who, as always, supply delightful support. And just behold that dance on roller-skates!Movie Review: Ginger is Spicy
Summary: 5 Stars
Oh those dancing feet. I enjoy watching Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers! They just float and glide very smoothly. Their dancing is a lot better than what they have on TV today (So you think you can dance) which is just toooo athletic for me. I prefer the ballroom dance floor not the gym!!!Movie Review: Let's Get to the Dancing! (DVD Review)
Summary: 4 Stars
When you watch a Fred and Ginger (F&G) movie you expect to see the two of them to dance together. In their seventh film together, Shall We Dance, you don't see their first dance routine until literally half way through the film (unless you count walking the dog as a dance). The way Harriet Hoctor bends backwards in the final dance number is incredible. Her body must be made of rubber. She's probably a better dancer than Ginger, but because she does not speak or act, we don't appreciate her as much.
As the title suggests, the featurette "They Can't Take That Away from Me: The Music of Shall We Dance" emphasizes the songs in the movie. There is some good information on the composers, George and Ira Gershwin. Did you know that the origin of the song "Let's Call the Whole Thing Off" is based on how F&G pronounced certain words? It includes interviews with Ava Astaire McKenzie (daughter), archivists, and biographers with a mix of F&G photographs and film clips. (Run time 15:41)
In the musical short "Sheik to Sheik" a radio salesman is knocked unconscious by a golf ball and dreams of selling radios to the Foreign Legion and to the Arabs in the desert. The singing duet is quality. No F&G but it has a good plot and is humorous. (B&W, 1936, Run time: 21:28)
In the old Merrie Melodies cartoon "Toy Town Hall" the toys in a child's room come to life and perform. (1936, Run time: 6:31)
Movie Review: Astaire and Rogers - 5 stars, film - 3 stars
Summary: 4 Stars
By the time of "Shall We Dance", the 7th outing of Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers, Rogers had become a star in her own right. The Gershwins wrote a great score which sustains the film but there is a sense of deja vu about the script and the supporting players which was reflected in the box office at the time. After the classy peak of "Swingtime", "Shall We Dance" was the inevitable anti-climax. Also, there is less dancing which might have been simply because of Roger's availability.
For me, the highlights are the orchestrations and "Slap that Bass" when Astaire lets loose in the engine room of a ship with a jazz band in support. "They all Laughed" is thrown away with the stars on roller skates which diminishes their artistry into simply athleticism. The gimmick wastes them.
The print of the film is good and there are some worthwhile extras. The featurette about the music provides interesting information about the Gershwins but the commentary is boring and the commentators are fans of each other as much as of Astaire and Rogers. The musical short is corny but the singers are in fine voice. The cartoon is a gem, one of those ones when all the toys come to life. There are excellent characterisations of famous stars such as Bing Crosby and Eddie Cantor.
The DVD is best value if purchased as part of an Astaire /Rogers Collection.
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