Dancing in the Dark (1949)

20% of users liked it
(28 ratings)

This musical comedy stars William Powell as Emery Slade, who was once a major film star but lately isn't getting much work. Arrogantly determined to climb back to the top, Slade convinces studio chief Melville Crossman (Adolphe Menjou) to give him the male lead in the film version of a Broadway… More This musical comedy stars William Powell as Emery Slade, who was once a major film star but lately isn't getting much work. Arrogantly determined to climb back to the top, Slade convinces studio chief Melville Crossman (Adolphe Menjou) to give him the male lead in the film version of a Broadway musical. However, Crossman's offer comes with a catch: Emery has to persuade the show's female lead to appear in the movie. Slade heads to New York to seal the deal, but instead he discovers a gifted young unknown named Julie Clark (Betsy Drake) and decides she's perfect for the role. Crossman is not too enthusiastic about this news, and neither is publicist Bill Davis (Mark Stevens), who is given his pink slip along with Slade. However, Slade is determined to make a career for Julie in Hollywood, though it's not until later that he realizes why he feels so strongly about her. Movie buffs will get a kick out of Menjou's performance, closely modeled on 20th Century Fox boss Darryl F. Zanuck. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi

Rating, Runtime: Unrated, 1 hr. 32 min.
Directed By: Irving Reis
Genres: Musical & Performing Arts, Classics, Comedy

In Theaters: Dec 2, 1949 Wide

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Cast

            William Powell as Emery Slade

            Mark Stevens as Bill Davis

            Betsy Drake as Julie Clarke

            Adolphe Menjou as Melville Crossman

            Randy Stuart as Rosalie Brooks

            Lloyd Corrigan as Barker

            Hope Emerson as Mrs. Schlaghammer

            Walter Catlett as Joe Brooks

            Don Beddoe as Barney Basset

            Jean Hersholt as Himself

            Sid Grauman as Himself

            Helen Westcott as June

            Frank Ferguson as Sharkey

            Charles Tannen as Jack

            Harry Crocker as Master of Ceremonies

            Louis Bacigalupi as Rubber

            Sid Saylor as Mac the Projectionist

            Milton Parsons as Butler

            Byron Foulger as Stefan

            Edward Clark as Costumer

            Max Willenz as Sommelier

            Erville Alderson as Neighbor

            George E. Stone as Cutter

            Helen Brown as Esther

            Sherry Hall as Hal the Cameraman

            Dick Cogan as Wes

            Babe London as Hula Girl

            Grandon Rhodes as Producer

            George Andre Beranger as Waiter

            Bob Adler as Officer

            Joe Bautista as Filipino

            Joseph Crehan as Board Member

            Belle Daube as Board Member

            Elaine Edwards as Girl

            Gregory Gaye as Headwaiter

            Larry Keating as Board Member

            Marion Marshall as Myrna

            George McDonald as Boy

            Cosmo Sardo
            
            Harry Seymour as Man

            Claire Whitney as Board Member

            John Davidson as Board Member

            Sally Forrest as Secretary

            Phyllis Planchard
            
            Walter Clinton
            
            Sam Finn
            
            Claire Richards as Woman

            Fred Fisher
            
See full cast

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