Movies:
Dancing in the Dark
- Rating:
- Genre: Musical
- Movie Type: Showbiz Comedy, Musical Comedy
- Themes: Actor's Life, Cinderella Stories, All Washed Up
- Director: Irving G. Reis
- Main Cast: William Powell, Mark Stevens, Betsy Drake, Adolphe Menjou, Randy Stuart
- Release Year: 1949
- Country: US
- Run Time: 92 minutes
Plot
This musical comedy stars William Powell as Emery Slade, who was once a major film star but lately isn't getting much work. Arrogantly determined to climb back to the top, Slade convinces studio chief Melville Crossman (Adolphe Menjou) to give him the male lead in the film version of a Broadway musical. However, Crossman's offer comes with a catch: Emery has to persuade the show's female lead to appear in the movie. Slade heads to New York to seal the deal, but instead he discovers a gifted young unknown named Julie Clark (Betsy Drake) and decides she's perfect for the role. Crossman is not too enthusiastic about this news, and neither is publicist Bill Davis (Mark Stevens), who is given his pink slip along with Slade. However, Slade is determined to make a career for Julie in Hollywood, though it's not until later that he realizes why he feels so strongly about her. Movie buffs will get a kick out of Menjou's performance, closely modeled on 20th Century Fox boss Darryl F. Zanuck. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie GuideReview
Dancing in the Dark is a mildly enjoyable little musical that benefits greatly from the star presence of leading man William Powell. Dark had the potential to be a much better musical, given that it includes a number of choice Arthur Schwartz-Howard Dietz songs, has a nifty "inside look" at both Hollywood and Broadway frames of reference, and features a leading character that has some real (and unusual for the time) bite to him. Unfortunately, Dark doesn't take full advantage of these assets. Most of the fine songs are presented to much better advantage four years later in The Band Wagon; the "inside look" is fudged a little too often; and Powell's character loses his rough edges as the story bogs down in typical Hollywood sentiment. It doesn't help that Betsy Drake is miscast as the soon-to-be-star; she's pleasant and amiable, but doesn't project the star quality that is essential. She moves well enough, but Drake never lights up the screen during the musical numbers. Fortunately, Powell is on hand to make up for the deficiencies, and he does a marvelous job, relishing the character's initial egoism and even making the change of heart both believable and palatable. Adolphe Menjou's imitation of Darryl F. Zanuck is a hoot, and director Irving G. Reis keeps things moving along at a decent clip. Dancing in the Dark is not a great musical, but it manages to come out ahead, thanks largely to Powell and Menjou. ~ Craig Butler, All Movie GuideCast
- William Powell - Emery Slade
- Mark Stevens - Bill Davis
- Betsy Drake - Julie Clarke
- Adolphe Menjou - Melville Crossman
- Randy Stuart - Rosalie Brooks
Lloyd Corrigan - Barker; Hope Emerson - Mrs. Schlaghammer; Walter Catlett - Joe Brooks; Don Beddoe - Barney Basset; Jean Hersholt - Himself; Sid Grauman - Himself; Helen Westcott - June; Frank Ferguson - Sharkey; Charles Tannen - Jack; Harry Crocker - Master of Ceremonies; Louis Bacigalupi - Rubber; Sid Saylor - Mac, the Projectionist; Milton Parsons - Butler; Byron Foulger - Stefan; Edward Clark - Costumer; Max Willenz - Sommelier; Erville Alderson - Neighbor; George E. Stone - Cutter; Helen Brown - Esther; Sherry Hall - Hal, the Cameraman; Dick Cogan - Wes; Babe London - Hula Girl; Grandon Rhodes - Producer; George Andre Beranger - Waiter; Bob Adler - Officer; Joe Bautista - Filipino; Joseph Crehan - Board Member; Belle Daube - Board Member; Elaine Edwards - Girl; Gregory Gaye - Headwaiter; Larry Keating - Board Member; Marion Marshall - Myrna; George McDonald - Boy; Cosmo Sardo; Harry Seymour - Man; Claire Whitney - Board Member; John Davidson - Board Member; Sally Forrest - Secretary; Jean Hersholt - Jean Hersholt; Phyllis Planchard; Walter Clinton; Sam Finn; Claire Richards - Woman; Fred Fisher
