Dancing Lady

Dancing Lady is an exuberant blend of romance, humor, and high-stepping musical numbers. Directed by Robert Z Leonard and released in 1933, the film boasts a formidable array of stars including Joan Crawford, Clark Gable, and Franchot Tone. With a runtime of 92 minutes, the star-studded ensemble ensures that the spectacle lives up to its name. The film also features an uncredited appearance by Fred Astaire and a young Nelson Eddy, who would go on to find fame in a series of film operettas.

Joan Crawford plays Janie 'Duchess' Barlow, the eponymous 'Dancing Lady', a determined and hardworking chorus girl with dreams of dancing her way into Broadway. Crawford portrays Barlow with an earthy magnetism and a spirited resolution that makes her character laudable and engaging. She's tough but sincere, bringing a real sense of grit and authenticity to her role.

Clark Gable, with his trademark sophistication and rugged charm, plays Patch Gallagher, the stern and practical director who takes on the ambitious task of making Barlow a star, despite the difficulties that this entails. Gable's performance excels in the dynamic intensity of his character, from the staunch disciplinarian to the man slowly thawing in his personal affiliations.

Then there's Franchot Tone as Tod Newton, the wealthy playboy who finds himself instantly attracted to the tenacious Barlow and decides to fund Gallagher's show purely in a bid to get closer to her. Franchot's charismatic portrayal of Tod gives him a genuinely likeable quality despite his privileged background and provides some delightful moments of comic relief.

The film embraces the classic 'rags to riches' theme of the era and the narrative follows a traditional structure. Barlow's journey from being a determined chorus girl to a charmed muse of an affable, rich bachelor, and finally a polished stage performer under the stern training of an unconventional director, forms the central theme of the film.

Dancing Lady struts around the genre's classic elements of unrequited love, compromise, and dreams realizations, all wrapped up in a musical number-rich package, to further underscore the themes of showbiz and ambition. It is a musical romance but also projects a strong story about resilience and determination. The inclusion of musical numbers is also relevant and well-integrated into the narrative, serving both as entertainment and plot progression.

The film delivers superb musical sequences, courtesy of dance director Sammy Lee. Each routine is intricate, visually striking, and meticulously choreographed, showcasing the energy and effort that goes into creating a stage performance. Joan Crawford, possessing no formal dance background, enthralls audiences with her prowess in executing the intricate routines brilliantly.

Robert Z Leonard’s direction shines in Dancing Lady, where musical sequences, drama, and romance are adroitly managed. Leonard displays particular skill in handling Crawford’s performance, allowing her to shine while also maintaining balance with the other characters.

Cinematography is another notable aspect of Dancing Lady. The seamless transitions between wide and close shots, especially during the dance sequences, enhance the visual storytelling. The scenes are well lit, emphasizing the glitz and glamor of the showbiz world against the stark contrast of the artists’ everyday lives.

Characteristic of the 1930s films, the dialogues are crisp and witty, ensuring that the narrative is peppered with light humor to keep the plot engaging and delightful from start to end. Each character is skillfully scripted, and their diverse personalities serve to add depth to the narrative.

The film's most significant facet is its subtlety displayed in handling a rich story laden with many characters. No one overshadows the other; each character is given the space to thrive and grow. Dancing Lady celebrates the performer's journey, captures the essence of show business, and lets us peek behind the scenes of the theater world in the vibrant days of the 1930s.

This classic movie holds up well with its unique blend of engaging performances, memorable musical numbers, charming humor, and above all, its heartwarming tale of love and ambition. Dancing Lady truly is an epic of its era, capturing the heart, spirit, and allure of Broadway, and by extension, the all-embracing dream of making it big in New York City.