“At The Movies Dancin’ In December” Vol. III, No. 11 (Dec. 2022) By Cinematic Expert Stephanie Mardesich

Terpsichore is one of the nine Muses and Goddess of dance and chorus in Greek mythology and the origin of the word "terpsichorean" which means "of or relating to dance" that’s fundamental to global cultures from the beginning of time; and relevant to story in the films suggested for your viewing pleasure that might inspire to “turn the light fantastic”.

42nd Street (USA, Warner Bros., 1933, 89 min., dir. Lloyd Bacon)

The timeless tale of chorus girl becomes a star. Relentless director Julian Marsh (Warner Baxter) tasked with putting on a hit production with little time and risky funding; and of the star actress Dorothy Brock (Bebe Daniels) taking ill and the ingénue beginner Peggy Sawyer (Ruby Keeler) thrust on stage by Marsh exclaiming “you're going out a youngster but you've got to come back a star!” Every girl is the chorus is prettier than the next; Ruby Keeler adorable. Every man equally handsome; Dick Powell “dreamy”. Pure entertainment.

https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0024034/?ref_=fn_al_tt_1

Shall We Dance (USA, RKO Radio Pictures, 1937, 109 min., dir. Mark Sandrich)

Amiable American ballet dancer Peter P. Peters aka “Petrov” (Fred Astaire) exudes public image of being a serious, demanding and temperamental Russian. Peters is star of ballet company in Paris, owned by the punctilious Jeffrey Baird (Edward Everett Horton), and secretly loves tap dancing. Baird disdains the latter and never wants to blend classical ballet with modern jazz dancing.

When Peters sees a photo of famous tap dancer Linda Keene (Ginger Rogers), he falls in love with her and contrives to meet her as "Petrov"). She is not impressed, though amused. He connives to be on the same ocean liner traveling back to the U.S.A. specifically New York. He melts her icy demeanor and there seems to be mutual attraction. Their interactions sparks interest from the tabloid wondering if they are secretly they married. Unknown to them, Linda’s manager Arthur Miller (Jerome Cowan) creates a publicity stunt to prove they are man and wife. Linda is fuming and becomes engaged to the effete Jim Montgomery (William Brisbane) to chagrin of Peters and Miller. There’s also another droll turn by a “regular” of many of the wonderful films, Eric Blore as Cecil Flintridge the hotel concierge who plays his own version of Cupid.

Peters (who has revealed his true identity) and Keene, unable to squelch the rumor, decide to actually marry and then immediately get divorced. Linda, however is really in love with her Peters, but when she discovers him with another woman, prima ballerina Lady Denise Tarrington (Ketti Gallian) she departs NY he can explain Denise means nothing to him. He proceeds with the new “hybrid” show incorporating ballet and tap. Linda shows up personally serve him divorce papers, she sees him dancing with dozens of women, all wearing masks with her image. Totally captivating!

Seventh of the ten Astaire Rogers films this is top of my list. Every tune by the Gershwin brothers, George & Ira, is memorable and distinctive from They All Laughed (At Christopher Columbus) and Let’s Call The Whole Thing Off. The fabulous gowns Rodgers wears so chicly, the sweeping orchestrations especially symphonic and the climactic scene “ if I can’t dance with Linda I’ll dance with images of her….” is innovative if not spectacular. Then again each time I see one of the wonderful movies it’s at the top (and I don’t mean hat!). Academy Award® nominee for “Best Song” They Can’t Take That Away From Me that’s standard romantic ballad decades after Fred croons to Ginger, and should have won. Film also deserved nod for “Best Dance Directing” (that was a category in days gone by).

https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0029546/?ref_=nv_sr_srsg_0

Down To Earth (USA, Columbia Pictures, 1947, 101 min., dir. Alexander Hall)

Upset about a new Broadway musical's mockery of Greek mythology, the Goddess Terpsichore - one of the nine muses - descends to earth via aid of Mr. Jordan (Roland Culver) as Kitty Pendleton (Rita Hayworth) and through her agent Max Corkle (James Gleason) lands a part in the show. She charms the producer/director Danny Miller (Larry Parks) and he incorporates her suggested changes into the show that unfortunately don’t work and it’s a flop. Danny is in debt to the gangsters who backed the production and forced to return to the original concept that causes a rift with him and Kitty. She relents and carries on in the show that’s now a hit. Her time in Earth, however, is up and though she pleads with Mr. Jordan she’s forced to return to her ethereal home though there’s promise for her in another incarnation for a future for her and Danny. Rita Hayworth was “born” to play the role and is enchanting to behold as is her dancing.

https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0039337/?ref_=nm_flmg_act_21

Singin’ In The Rain (USA, MGM, 1952, 103 min., G, dir. Stanley Donen/Gene Kelly)

In 1927 Hollywood. Monumental Pictures biggest stars are glamorous on and off screen couple Lina Lamont (Jean Hagan) and Don Lockwood (Gene Kelly). Both go along with the studio plan and public perception to please their adoring fans and attract audience for the movies. Don actually barely tolerates Lina who considers Don beneath her.

Studio mogul R.F. Simpson (Millard Mitchell) dismisses “talkies” as a fad though when top stage star Al Jolson debuts

The Jazz Singer that’s a huge hit he knows his studio must rally, and particularly Don and Lina, musician Cosmo Brown (Donald O’Conner), Don's best friend, is hired as Monumental's idea man and musical director. Don has secretly begun dating chorus girl Kathy Selden (Debbie Reynolds) aspiring to make it big in pictures. In effort to overcome the technological challenges Cosmo and Kathy help Don, who’s worked his way up through the ranks to movie stardom, make the leap to “talkies.” with Kathy following along the way. The bigger problem is Lina, who will do anything to ensure she succeeds, despite her unappealing voice that proves to be her nemeses. Film is considered by many as the “greatest musical” and certainly has memorable song and dance sequences - trio of Kelly, O’Conner and Reynolds is exceptional in every number and tunes including: cheerful Good Morning, Good Morning, Gotta Dance (fabulous dance number with Cyd Charisse and Kelly), exuberant Make ‘Em Laugh and of course the charming and memorable “Singin’ In The Rain” with Kelly en par extraordinaire dancing in the puddles. Curiously only two Oscar® nods - the film was modest hit when it debuted and has grown in stature - with both critical and popular acclaim.

https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0045152/?ref_=nv_sr_srsg_0

Saturday Night Fever (USA, Paramount Pictures, 1977, 108 min., dir. John Badham)

Italian–American Brooklyn native 19 year old Tony Manero (John Travolta) lives for Saturday nights at the local discotheque, where he is “king of the club” with his stylish moves on the dance floor. In the daytime “real world” things aren’t so terrific. He has a menial job in a paint store, fights constantly with his father, and always seems to be competing with his family's halcyon view of his older brother Frank, Jr. (Martin Shakar), a Catholic priest. He agrees to partner with friend Annette (Donna Pescow) for the club dance competition. Things begin to change, however, when he observes Stephanie Mangano (Karen Lynne Gorney) in the disco and starts training with her as his partner, for the contest, ditching Annette, Stephanie dreams of the world beyond Brooklyn, and her plans to move to Manhattan just over the bridge soon change Tony's life forever.

Travolta will be forever known for the iconic walk to the tune of Bee Gees Stayin’ Alive, and all the exciting dance movies and songs that made the film and Travolta living legends. And of course the disco “look” in haberdashery and habitat represent the era to perfection, if not emulation. Oscar® nod for “Best Actor” for Travolta.

https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0076666/?ref_=fn_al_tt_1

Flash Dance (USA, Paramount Studios, 1983, 95 min., R, PG13, dir. Adrian Lyne)

The extremely popular film that put Pittsburg on the movie map. Wanna be dancer Alex Owens (Jennifer Beals) is a hard hat steel worker by day, and exotic (more discreet with a costume) dancer by night. Her dream is to get into a real dance company. She’s passionate in her ambition and with encouragement from her beau and steel mill “boss” the gorgeous Nick Hurley (Michael Nouri), she may get her chance. Her quick change moment sparked a trend in casual t-wear. Supporting cast includes veteran Lilia Skala and newcomer Belinda Bauer who had promise yet her career never “took off.” Four Oscar® nods and win for “Best Song” Flashdance…What A Feeling, that’s still heard decades later. (Sadly, composer and singer Irene Cara recently passed away at age 63). What a feeling!

https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0085549/?ref_=fn_al_tt_2

Footloose (USA, Paramount, 1984, 107 min., PG, dir. Herbert Ross)

Teenager Ren (Kevin Bacon) relocates from Chicago to the small rural town of Bomont, where Rock 'n' Roll and dancing are banned. Ren tries to fit in though he’s feeling trapped and confused. When local preacher Rev. Shaw Moore’s (John Lithgow) beautiful daughter Ariel (Lori Singer) catches his eye he’s asking for trouble going against the community to convince the city council to lift the ban on dancing.

To show Ariel and his new friends Willard (Chris Penn) and Rusty (Sarah Jessica Parker)the joy and freedom of dance, Ren takes them to a country bar 100 miles away from Bomont. Once there Willard is unable to dance and gets into a jealous fight with a man who dances with Rusty. On the drive home, they cross a bridge that reminds Ariel who recounts how her older brother died in a car accident while driving under the influence of alcohol after a night of dancing. The accident prompted her father Shaw to convince the town council to enact strict anti-liquor, anti-drug, and anti-dance laws. Ariel begins to defy Shaw's authority at home. Ren bravely chooses to fight prejudice and the community's fire-and-brimstone preacher through dance so that the high school can hold a senior prom.

The film was not a box office hit when it was released, however built in popularity becoming known for its music, with the songs "Footloose" by Kenny Loggins (and now famous dancing sequence with Bacon) and "Let's Hear It for the Boy" (Deniece Williams) both nominated for the Academy Award® for “Best Song.”

https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0087277/?ref_=nv_sr_srsg_

Dirty Dancing (USA, Great American Films/Vestron Pictures, 1987, 100 min., PG13, Emile Ardolino)

It’s 1963 and teenaged Frances "Baby" Houseman (Jennifer Grey), is on family vacation in New York Catskill Mountains resort. She’s grown in privileged circumstances, expected college, marry doctor, just like her father. Her viewpoint changes when she becomes smitten with dance instructor, Johnny Castle (Patrick Swayze) whose background is completely opposite of hers. She risks her comfortable status to help Johnny, lying to her dad father Jake (Jerry Orbach) to get money to pay for an illegal abortion for Johnny's dance partner Penny Johnson (Cynthia Rhodes). Johnny by the way is not the father.

With Penny compromised Baby fills in as Johnny's dance partner and is a natural. As they practice and spend so much time together they fall in love. Things come to a head when Penny becomes extremely ill after the abortion. Baby reveals the story to her father who saves Penny’s life. When he learns the truth about what Baby has been up to however, he forbids her from any further association Johnny. For the first time in her life she defies her parent. She clandestinely goes to see Johnny and apologize for her father's harshness; and she and Johnny take the next step and consummate their relationship. Leaving his bungalow the next morning she’s observed by a jealous fellow who vengefully tells management that Johnny is responsible for a theft the evening before, knowing he would not betray Baby.

Climactic scene is the talent show when Baby and Johnny triumph in their fabulous dance number enhanced by the Oscar® winning “Best Song” (I’ve Had) The Time Of My Life with the crowd enthralled as is the audience for this sexy and romantic movie. Strong support cast includes Kelly Bishop (Mrs. Houseman) and Jack Weston (Max Kellerman).

https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0092890/?ref_=nv_sr_srsg_0

More excellent films with “dance” theme to consider (yet too serious for this article)

The Red Shoes (1948)

They Shoot Horses Don’t They? (1963)

The Turning Point (1977)

White Knights (1985)

Black Swan (2010)

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Stephanie Mardesich, a native of San Pedro from a family who arrived in the harbor area over 100 years ago. An alumna of U.S.C. School of Cinematic Arts; founder-director of the LA Harbor International Film Festival; credited journalist and public relations consultant, she launched "Cinema Stephanie" film critique blogette in 2017. More recently, she created "Eclectic Culture" lifestyle stories and reviews blog. She is also co-producer with Jack Baric (S.P. native and R.P.V. resident) of the oral history project Stories of Los Angeles Harbor Area: For Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow (SOLAHA) - Volume II debuted in March 2020.

For more see:

(to look up films) www.imdb.com

www.laharborfilmfest.com( Cinema Stephanie blogette)

www.storieslaharborarea.com (histories/stories)