1940
Directed by Dorothy Arzner (A woman! I am scandalized!)
Isn't it crazy that this is only the second movie on the list directed by a woman (the other being The Smiling Madame Beudet). This is not the fault of the Listmakers (like I could accuse the gods of error!). There simply weren't a lot of female directors and frankly, I am glad that few have been including. I wouldn't want a woman director to be on the list merely because she was a woman. I would like her to earn her spot (here's looking at you, book list). This film, thankfully, deserves its place on the list.
Another weird thing about this movie: it stars Lucille Ball. It is just full of surprises! This film is about two aspiring dancers (Maureen O'Hara and Lucille Ball) who have to deal with career and man problems (don't we all ladies). The dance scenes were really good, especially Maureen O'Hara's. The movie takes a little while to get started but once it does it is delightfully entertaining; I really enjoyed seeing Lucille Ball in this kind of role. So check it out!
RATING: ****-
Interesting Facts:
Lucille Ball ended up buying RKO, the studio that produced this film.
O'Hara and Ball became lifelong friends from this movie.
Hula scene from movie:
I LOVED this movie! Lucille Ball was so cool. I love the book because of movies like this. I never would have seen this if I wasn't following the list- I have never heard anyone talk about it!
ReplyDeleteI know! She is stunning in this film. I was never an I Love Lucy fan but she is phenomenal in this.
DeleteI had totally forgotten that Dance, Girl, Dance featured a very young Maureen O'Hara. How different she was from her later parts. It is only recently she passed away.
ReplyDeleteLucille Ball totally steals the picture in this movie. She is by far the most interesting character.
Oh, I know. That was really sad. And I totally agree about Ball.
DeleteNot sure I rated this, but I was enjoying it by the end
ReplyDeleteMaria Ouspenskaya is very good, isn't she? Bit part player in this, The Mortal Storm and Dodsworth. Apparently she's coming up again soon in The Wolf Man, which will be something to look forwards to.
Ooo I liked Wolf Man. It's so fun.
DeleteFingers crossed. I had high hopes for the early horror films and thus far the entries I've found on the list haven't really matched those hopes.
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