The Dance of Life

Last updated

The Dance of Life
Poster of the movie The Dance of Life.jpg
Directed by John Cromwell
A. Edward Sutherland
Written by Benjamin Glazer
Julian Johnson (titles)
Based onBurlesque (play)
by George Manker Watters and Arthur Hopkins
Starring Hal Skelly
Nancy Carroll
Cinematography J. Roy Hunt
Edited by George Nichols Jr.
Music by Adolph Deutsch
Vernon Duke
John Leipold
Production
company
Paramount Famous Lasky Corporation
Distributed by Paramount Pictures
Release dates
  • August 16, 1929 (1929-08-16)(New York City)
  • September 7, 1929 (1929-09-07)(U.S.)
Running time
115 minutes
CountryUSA
LanguageEnglish
The Dance of Life
(full movie, public domain)

The Dance of Life is a 1929 American pre-Code musical film. It is the first of three film adaptations of the popular 1927 Broadway play Burlesque, with the others being Swing High, Swing Low (1937) and When My Baby Smiles at Me (1948). The film was directed by John Cromwell (who also appeared in the film with a small part) [1] and A. Edward Sutherland. [2] Hal Skelly appeared in the lead role as Ralph “Skid” Johnson after playing the same role in the Broadway version at the Plymouth Theater. He took part in the production for fifty two weeks before leaving his role to take part in the film. [3] Charles D. Brown, Ralph Theodore and Oscar Levant also appeared in the Broadway production. [4]

Contents

The Dance of Life was shot at Paramount's Astoria Studios in Astoria, Queens, and included Technicolor sequences, directed by John Cromwell and A. Edward Sutherland.

Plot

Burlesque comic Ralph "Skid" Johnson, and specialty dancer Bonny Lee King, end up together on a cold, rainy night at a train station, after she fails an audition with a vaudeville company and he complains about her treatment by the impresario of the show and is fired. They decide to team up and apply for work with a much better show on "the big wheel" called the High Steppers Burlesque Company in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, run by Lefty Miller. [4]

Miller hires the duo and the two fall in love. Later Skid asks her to marry him, but he gets drunk and ruins their wedding night. During this time a female comic, Sylvia Marco, who is attracted to Skid, tries to come between them. Skid is offered a solo part in the Ziegfeld Follies in New York and Bonnie encourages him to take it, but stays behind. Unbeknownst to Bonnie, Sylvia is also hired for the show. After his success on the big stage he neglects to send for her so after Lefty's show closes, Bonnie travels to New York to see him. She sends him a telegram letting him know she's coming to see him and to meet her backstage at the theater. After she arrives Skid has already left the theater, but she is told he may be at a speakeasy. She talks the doorkeeper into letting her in to see her husband but she finds him kissing Sylvia. Bonnie leaves him a note that says she will be filing for divorce which leaves him devastated.

The two are separated and Bonnie plans to marry Harvey Howell. Skid is still heartbroken over the break up and finds solace in alcohol, which is ruining his career. Lefty hires him for the lead role in his upcoming show provided Skid can stay sober, but Skid's drinking problem leaves him unable to perform, which puts the show in jeopardy. In order to save the show, Lefty sends for Bonnie to help Skid sober up so that he can perform and the two are reunited. But Skid passes out on stage on opening night which ruins the show. Bonnie joins him on stage the following night and Skid is able to perform. [2] [4]

Cast

Soundtrack

Music by Richard A. Whiting
Lyrics by Sam Coslow and Leo Robin
Sung by Hal Skelly
Music by Richard A. Whiting
Lyrics by Sam Coslow and Leo Robin
Music by Richard A. Whiting
Lyrics by Sam Coslow and Leo Robin
Music by Richard A. Whiting
Lyrics by Sam Coslow and Leo Robin
Music by Richard A. Whiting
Lyrics by Sam Coslow and Leo Robin
Music by Richard A. Whiting
Lyrics by Sam Coslow and Leo Robin
Written by Maude Nugent
Music by Annie Fortescue Harrison
Lyrics by Meta Orred
Written by Walter Donaldson

In 1957, the film entered the public domain (in the USA) because the claimants did not renew its copyright registration in the 28th year after publication. [5]

Preservation status

No color prints survive, only black-and-white prints made in the 1950s for TV broadcast.

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">1937 in music</span> Overview of the events of 1937 in music

This is a list of notable events in music that took place in the year 1937.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">1933 in music</span> Overview of the events of 1933 in music

This is a list of notable events in music that took place in the year 1933.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Leo Robin</span> American songwriter

Leo Robin was an American composer, lyricist and songwriter. He is probably best known for collaborating with Ralph Rainger on the 1938 Oscar-winning song "Thanks for the Memory," sung by Bob Hope and Shirley Ross in the film The Big Broadcast of 1938, and with Jule Styne on "Diamonds Are a Girl's Best Friend," a song whose witty, Cole Porter style of lyric came to be identified with its famous interpreter Marilyn Monroe.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sam Coslow</span> American songwriter, singer, film producer, publisher, and market analyst

Sam Coslow was an American songwriter, singer, film producer, publisher and market analyst. Coslow was born in New York City. He began writing songs as a teenager. He contributed songs to Broadway revues, formed the music publishing company Spier and Coslow with Larry Spier and made a number of recordings as a performer.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Richard A. Whiting</span> American composer and songwriter

Richard Armstrong Whiting was an American composer of popular songs, including the standards "Hooray for Hollywood", "Ain't We Got Fun?" and "On the Good Ship Lollipop". He also wrote lyrics occasionally, and film scores most notably for the standard "She's Funny That Way".

<i>The Big Broadcast of 1936</i> 1935 musical film by Norman Taurog

The Big Broadcast of 1936 is a 1935 American comedy film directed by Norman Taurog, and is the second in the series of Big Broadcast movies. The musical comedy starred Jack Oakie, Bing Crosby, George Burns, Gracie Allen, Ethel Merman, The Nicholas Brothers, Lyda Roberti, Wendy Barrie, Mary Boland, Charlie Ruggles, Akim Tamiroff, Amos 'n' Andy, Bill "Bojangles" Robinson, and Argentinian tango singer Carlos Gardel.

<i>Lullaby of Broadway</i> (film) 1951 film by David Butler

Lullaby of Broadway is a 1951 American musical romantic comedy film released by Warner Bros. starring Doris Day and Gene Nelson, and directed by David Butler. Gladys George, S.Z. Sakall, Billy De Wolfe, Florence Bates, and Anne Triola appear in support.

Arthur James Johnston was an American composer, conductor, pianist and arranger.

<i>A Tribute to Bing Crosby</i> 1994 studio album by Mel Tormé

A Tribute to Bing Crosby is a 1994 studio album by Mel Tormé, recorded as a tribute to the singer Bing Crosby.

<i>Anything Goes</i> (1936 film) 1936 American musical film

Anything Goes is a 1936 American musical film directed by Lewis Milestone and starring Bing Crosby, Ethel Merman, Charles Ruggles and Ida Lupino. It is based on the 1934 stage musical Anything Goes by Guy Bolton and P. G. Wodehouse, which included songs by Cole Porter.

<i>Our Gang Follies of 1938</i> 1937 American film

Our Gang Follies of 1938 is a 1937 American musical short subject, the 161st short subject entry in Hal Roach's Our Gang series. Directed by Gordon Douglas as a sequel to 1935's Our Gang Follies of 1936, the two-reel short was released to theaters on December 18, 1937, by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer.

<i>Too Much Harmony</i> 1933 film by A. Edward Sutherland

Too Much Harmony is a 1933 American black-and-white pre-Code musical film directed by A. Edward Sutherland and starring Bing Crosby, Jack Oakie, Richard "Skeets" Gallagher, Harry Green, and Judith Allen. It was released by Paramount Pictures.

<i>Why Bring That Up?</i> 1929 film

Why Bring That Up? is a 1929 American pre-Code musical film directed by George Abbott and starring minstrel show comedians Charles Mack and George Moran, as blackface team Two Black Crows.

<i>Innocents of Paris</i> 1929 film

Innocents of Paris is a 1929 black and white American musical film. Directed by Richard Wallace and based on the play Flea Market, the film was the first musical production by Paramount Pictures. Although the screenplay was regarded as mediocre, the critics were impressed with the newly-arrived Chevalier, for whom they predicted much success. At the preview in Los Angeles, established film-actor Adolphe Menjou, son of French immigrant parents, congratulated Chevalier in person.

<i>Footlight Serenade</i> 1942 film by Gregory Ratoff

Footlight Serenade is a 1942 musical comedy film directed by Gregory Ratoff, starring Betty Grable, John Payne, and Victor Mature.

<i>When My Baby Smiles at Me</i> (film) 1948 film by Walter Lang

When My Baby Smiles at Me is a 1948 American musical film directed by Walter Lang and starring Betty Grable and Dan Dailey. Released by 20th Century Fox, it is the third film based on the popular 1927 Broadway play Burlesque, the others being The Dance of Life (1929) and Swing High, Swing Low (1937). When My Baby Smiles at Me is the first full Technicolor film version of that play; The Dance of Life had several Technicolor sequences, but they are no longer extant.

Romance in the Dark is a 2009 compilation album of recordings by singer and pianist Jeri Southern.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hal Skelly</span> American broadway and film actor (1891–1934)

Hal Skelly was an American Broadway and film actor.

<i>This Is All I Ask</i> (album) 1963 studio album by Tony Bennett

This Is All I Ask is an album by Tony Bennett, released in 1963. It reached number 24 on the Billboard 200.

<i>Rockin with Kay</i> 1958 studio album by Kay Starr

Rockin' with Kay is a studio album by Kay Starr. It was released in 1958 by RCA Victor. It was her third album for RCA Victor.

References

  1. ↑ Tibbetts, John C. (1985). The American Theatrical Film, Stages in Development. Bowling Green, Ohio, USA: Bowling Green State University Press. p. 130. ISBN   0879722894.
  2. 1 2 Mordden, Ethan (2016). When Broadway Went to Hollywood. Oxford, UK: Oxford University Press. pp. 17–19. ISBN   978-0199395408.
  3. ↑ "Now At the Circle "Dance of Life"". The Indianapolis Times. Indianapolis, IN. September 21, 1929. Retrieved September 9, 2021.
  4. 1 2 3 Bradley, Edwin M (2004). The First Hollywood Musicals, A Critical Filmography of 171 Features, 1927 Through 1932. Jefferson, North Carolina, USA: McFarland Inc. Pub. pp. 54–56. ISBN   9780786420292.
  5. ↑ Pierce, David (June 2007). "Forgotten Faces: Why Some of Our Cinema Heritage Is Part of the Public Domain". Film History: An International Journal. 19 (2): 125–43. doi:10.2979/FIL.2007.19.2.125. ISSN   0892-2160. JSTOR   25165419. OCLC   15122313. S2CID   191633078.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.