Go into Your Dance
Go into Your Dance | |
---|---|
Theatrical release poster | |
Directed by | Archie Mayo |
Produced by |
Jack L. Warner Samuel Bischoff |
Screenplay by | Earl Baldwin |
Starring |
Al Jolson Ruby Keeler Glenda Farrell Barton MacLane |
Music by |
Harry Warren Al Dubin |
Distributed by | Warner Bros. |
Release dates | April 20, 1935 |
Running time | 89 minutes |
Country | United States |
Language | English |
Go into Your Dance is a 1935 American musical film starring Al Jolson, Ruby Keeler, and Glenda Farrell. The film was directed by Archie Mayo and is based on the novel of the same name by Bradford Ropes.[1][2] It was released by Warner Bros. on April 20, 1935. An irresponsible Broadway star gets mixed up with gambling and gangsters.
Plot
Broadway star Al Howard (Al Jolson) has a habit of walking out on hit shows. His sister Molly (Glenda Farrell) promises his agent he will never do it again, but he is banned from Broadway. Molly tracks Al down in Mexico, where he is on a binge and tells him she is done taking care of him. When Molly runs into Dorothy Wayne (Ruby Keeler) a friend who is a dancer, she begs Dorothy to form a team with Al, because she can get Al a job if he has a partner. At first Molly is reluctant but finally agreed.
It takes some work to convince Al, but he eventually agrees to form a team with Dorothy. They become a big success in Chicago. Dorothy falls in love with Al and thinking that he does not return her affection decides to quit the act. Al asks her to stay, telling her that he plans to open his own nightclub on Broadway. Molly introduces Al to Duke Hutchinson (Barton MacLane) a gangster who is willing to back the club as a showcase for his wife, Luana Bell (Helen Morgan) a torch singer who wants to make a comeback. Al flirts with Luana, Dorothy warns him about his involvement with Luana, but Al continues his flirtation with her. Duke gives Al an additional $30,000 to open the club, but before opening night, Al uses the money to post bond for Molly, who has been arrested on suspicion of murder.
When Al turns down a proposal from Luana, she angrily tells Duke the club will not open on schedule, and he sends gunmen to kill Al. At the last minute, Molly is cleared of the murder and the necessary money is returned, with the show opening on time and to great applause. Duke tries to call off his gunmen, but Luana does not give them the message. Al finally realizes that he is in love with Dorothy and asks her to dinner. As they step out the door, Dorothy sees the gunmen and throws her body in front of Al. She is wounded and as Al holds her, he tells Dorothy that he loves her. The doctor proclaims that Dorothy will be fine and Al's club is a huge success.
Cast
- Al Jolson as Al Howard
- Ruby Keeler as Dorothy 'Dot' Wayne
- Glenda Farrell as Molly Howard
- Barton MacLane as Duke Hutchinson
- Patsy Kelly as Irma 'Toledo' Knight
- Akim Tamiroff as Mexican in La Cucaracha Cantina
- Helen Morgan as Luana Wells
- Sharon Lynn as Nellie Lahey
Production
This is the only film that stars both Al Jolson and Ruby Keeler, who were married at the time. Barton MacLane was billed as Barton Mac Lane. Go into Your Dance was released in Britain as Casino de Paris.[3]
Songs
This film, a famous early musical, includes the numbers "This Evening About a Quarter to Nine" and "Latin From Manhattan" sung by Al Jolson. The former song was also recreated in color in the film The Jolson Story (1946). Dance director Bobby Connolly received an Academy Award nomination for his work on the "Latin from Manhattan". Other songs with music and lyrics by Harry Warren and Al Dubin include:
- Go into Your Dance
- The Little Things You Used to Do
- Mammy, I'll Sing About You
- Casino de Paree
- An Old Fashioned Cocktail with an Old Fashioned Girl
Reception
The New York Times movie review said: "On the debit side of the picture's ledger, one must report a dearth of comedy, a certain dragginess as the film reaches its half-way mark and Miss Keeler's not altogether successful attempt to do the rhumba, the tango and other "Spanish" dances. Her tap dancing is so much better. On the credit side are the Warren-Dubin songs, the absence—mark this!—of overhead shots of the chorus, Helen Morgan's rendition of "The Little Things You Used to Do", and Mr. Jolson. All told, "Go Into Your Dance" is not the best, not the worst, but generally above average for its type."[4]
Home media
Warner Archive released the film on DVD in October 21, 2009.
References
- ↑ "GO INTO YOUR DANCE (1935)". Turner Classic Movies. Retrieved September 8, 2016.
- ↑ "Go into Your Dance (1935)". All Movie. Retrieved September 8, 2016.
- ↑ "Go Into Your Dance". American film Institute: Catalog of Feature Films. Retrieved September 8, 2016.
- ↑ "MOVIE REVIEW: At the Capitol". The New York Times. May 4, 1935. Retrieved September 8, 2016.