Shall We Dance (1937)

86% of critics liked it
(7 reviews)
79% of users liked it
(8,597 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

Rating, Runtime: Unrated, 1 hr. 49 min.
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
On DVD: Aug 16, 2005
Studio: RKO Radio Pictures

Critic Reviews

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,
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.
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.
Rory L. Aronsky, Film Threat
...the plot is what makes this Astaire/Rogers pairing frustrating, the dances slightly undercut by that.
Ken Hanke, Mountain Xpress (Asheville, NC)
Not their best, but still a treat.
Bob Bloom, Journal and Courier (Lafayette, IN)
One of the best Astaire-Rogers musicals with great music and dance.

Read all 6 critic reviews

Critic ratings and reviews powered by RottenTomatoes.com

Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)

Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)

Featured Audience Ratings

Jennifer X

It was a great move to have Astaire be a ballet instructor in the script, because his style is so ballet it's ridiculous. Their duets are so, so magical I never want the film to end. And they work together incredibly well, too - the dog walking scene is just adorable.
Spencer S

Some of the greatest plot twists of the day; the hairbrained comedy and always great sidekick Edward Everett Horton brought down the house. Including the music of the always idolized Gershwins and a number on rollerskates that was to die for, this is by far one of the better… More
Some of the greatest plot twists of the day; the hairbrained comedy and always great sidekick Edward Everett Horton brought down the house. Including the music of the always idolized Gershwins and a number on rollerskates that was to die for, this is by far one of the better Rogers/Astaire teamings.
AJ V

This movie is funny and has a good number of stars. I don't really care for all the dance numbers, but if you like Fred and Ginger you will like this movie.
Wahida K

A very nice Musical.
Lanning :

Astaire and Rogers: Is there a better movie dance team? Gene Kelly with a Cyd Charisse is a close second, but with Rogers and Astaire we have the closest thing to a match made in heaven as I can imagine. Tough to decide between Astaire and Kelly which one is the overall better… More
Astaire and Rogers: Is there a better movie dance team? Gene Kelly with a Cyd Charisse is a close second, but with Rogers and Astaire we have the closest thing to a match made in heaven as I can imagine. Tough to decide between Astaire and Kelly which one is the overall better individual stylist -- their styles are so different -- but Astaire and Rogers have to be the seemingly effortless duo of all time. They transcend the real world every time they perform.
Brian R

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
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. Not as good as "The Gay Divorcee" but has it's moments mixing comedy, humour and dance styles. Astaire and Rogers are a good fit together even when they don't want to be partnered with one another.

Read all 6 featured audience ratings

Cast

            Fred Astaire as Petrov (Peter P. Peters)

            Ginger Rogers as Linda Keene

            Edward Everett Horton as Jeffrey Baird

            Eric Blore as Cecil Flintridge

            Jerome Cowan as Arthur Miller--Linda's Manager

            Ketti Gallian as Lady Denise Tarrington

            William Brisbane as Jim Montgomery

            Ann Shoemaker as Mrs. Fitzgerald

            Harriet Hoctor as Harriet Hoctor

            Norman Ainsley
            
            Ben Alexander as Rooftop Bandleader

            Sherwood Bailey as Newsboy

            Harry Bowen as Locksmith

            William Burress as Justice of the Peace

            Charles Coleman as Policeman in Park

            Jean De Briac
            
            Dudley Dickerson as Singer

            Pauline Garon
            
            Helena Grant as Ship Passenger

            Sam Hayes as Dispatcher

            Charles Irwin
            
            Tiny Jones as Flower Woman

            J.M. Kerrigan
            
            George Magrill as Room Steward

            Alphonse Martell
            
            Torben Meyer
            
            Frank Moran as Process Server

            Mantan Moreland
            
            Henry Mowbray as Radio Officer

            Leonard Mudie as Ship's Waiter

            Vesey O'Davoren
            
            Jack Rice as Desk Clerk

            Matty Roubert
            
            Rolfe Sedan as Ballet Master

            Pete Theodore as Linda's Dancing Partner

            Richard Tucker as Attorney

            Marek Windheim as Ballet Master

            Emma Young as Tai--Linda's Maid

            Spencer Teakle
            
            Douglas Gordon as Steward

            Sam Wren as Charlie
See full cast