Shall We Dance (1937)
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86% of critics liked it
(7 reviews) -
79% of users liked it
(8,706 ratings)
The seventh of RKO's Fred Astaire--Ginger Rogers musicals, Shall We Dance casts Astaire as a world-renowned ballet dancer and Rogers as a musical comedy headliner. Rogers' manager Jerome Cowan concocts a phony romance between his client and Astaire in order to garner publicity for them both.… More The seventh of RKO's Fred Astaire--Ginger Rogers musicals, Shall We Dance casts Astaire as a world-renowned ballet dancer and Rogers as a musical comedy headliner. Rogers' manager Jerome Cowan concocts a phony romance between his client and Astaire in order to garner publicity for them both. Eventually, of course, the twosome falls in love for real, but not before a cornucopia of confusion, complications and misunderstandings. Highlights include a number performed on roller skates and Astaire's dance solo in the art-deco boiler room of an ocean liner. The George and Ira Gershwin score (their last for Astaire and Rogers) includes "Slap That Bass," "Beginner's Luck," "Let's Call the Whole Thing Off," "They All Laughed," "They Can't Take That Away From Me," and the title number. Shall We Dance was slated as the last of the Fred-and-Ginger romps, but within a year they were together again in Carefree. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- Directed By
- Mark Sandrich
- Written By
- Harold Buchman, Lee Loeb, Allan Scott
- Genres
- Drama, Romance, Musical & Performing Arts, Classics, Comedy
- In Theaters
- May 7, 1937 Limited
- Studio
- RKO Radio Pictures
Critic Reviews
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Gabe Leibowitz, Film and Felt
It's about innuendo and devious plots (though, of course, the stories are always essentially backdrops to showcasing the Astaire-and-Rogers show), and while it has plenty of amusing moments and some good musical numbers, it feels stiff at times,
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Emanuel Levy, EmanuelLevy.Com
Made at the height of popularity of Astaire and Rogers, this elegant musical boasts glorious score from the Gershwins, including the songThey Can't Take That away From Me, which was nominated for an Oscar.
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Dennis Schwartz, Ozus' World Movie Reviews
When viewed today it fares much better critically as a stylish and sophisticated musical comedy from the Art Deco era.
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Rory L. Aronsky, Film Threat
...the plot is what makes this Astaire/Rogers pairing frustrating, the dances slightly undercut by that.
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Ken Hanke, Mountain Xpress (Asheville, NC)
Not their best, but still a treat.
See more critic ratings and reviews on Rotten Tomatoes
Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)
Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)
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Cast
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Fred Astaire
as Petrov (Peter P. Peters)
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Ginger Rogers
as Linda Keene
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Edward Everett Horton
as Jeffrey Baird
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Eric Blore
as Cecil Flintridge
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Jerome Cowan
as Arthur Miller--Linda's Manager
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Ketti Gallian
as Lady Denise Tarrington
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William Brisbane
as Jim Montgomery
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Ann Shoemaker
as Mrs. Fitzgerald
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Harriet Hoctor
as Harriet Hoctor
- Norman Ainsley
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Ben Alexander
as Rooftop Bandleader
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Sherwood Bailey
as Newsboy
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Harry Bowen
as Locksmith
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William Burress
as Justice of the Peace
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Charles Coleman
as Policeman in Park
- Jean De Briac
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Dudley Dickerson
as Singer
- Pauline Garon
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Helena Grant
as Ship Passenger
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Sam Hayes
as Dispatcher
- Charles Irwin
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Tiny Jones
as Flower Woman
- J.M. Kerrigan
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George Magrill
as Room Steward
- Alphonse Martell
- Torben Meyer
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Frank Moran
as Process Server
- Mantan Moreland
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Henry Mowbray
as Radio Officer
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Leonard Mudie
as Ship's Waiter
- Vesey O'Davoren
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Jack Rice
as Desk Clerk
- Matty Roubert
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Rolfe Sedan
as Ballet Master
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Pete Theodore
as Linda's Dancing Partner
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Richard Tucker
as Attorney
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Marek Windheim
as Ballet Master
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Emma Young
as Tai--Linda's Maid
- Spencer Teakle
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Douglas Gordon
as Steward
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Sam Wren
as Charlie
