Born to Dance (1936)

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1. 

   Violet Poppet

   Jimmy Stewart dances! 6 years 6 months ago
2. 

   TomReagan

   Silly musical with some serious flaws, but Instead of focusing on the flaws, the reasons to watch are worth talking about: A very young Jimmy Stewart sings and dances, Eleanor Powell is amazing to watch (dance, not act), and the comedy with a young Buddy Ebsen singing and dancing as well. The rest of the supporting cast is also great, with Una Merkel and Sid Silvers getting a majority of the laughs. I’d recommend for Stewart and/or Powell fans only. 3 years 8 months ago
3. 

   Siskoid

   A lot of people are down on Jimmy Stewart for his dancing and singing in Born to Dance, but no one has anything to say about Eleanor Powell's acting, so what gives? Powell has a great smile, but she wears it for every occasion is what I'm saying. And also, who cares about either lead's weaknesses when they are both such sympathetic screen presences? In the 1930s fluff musicals category, I really enjoyed this one. It doesn't skimp on the song and dance numbers (very tall and gangly dance numbers), but also leans heavily on the comedy, practically everyone, even the day players (the cop conductor, for example), rendering up a fun performance. Stewart is no great singer or dancer, but he gets around - think Ryan Gosling in La La Land - while Powell's singing voice is dubbed for some reason. Maybe they thought Stewart's voice was too distinctive to fake. There are some flaws, like Buddy Ebsen's sailor getting a job in the show without a by-your-leave while Powell's own place on the stage requires a lot of plot mechanics, there's a mistake with some crucial time pieces, and while the final number is a big show-stopper, it's probably the least memorable song. Speaking of which, the movie introduces I've Got You Under My Skin and Easy to Love to the canon, and a lot of less classic, but very amusing numbers like Rolling Home and Love Me, Love My Pekinese. At times, it's a little like Cole Porter is doing Gilbert and Sullivan, which works given the nautical theme. Much fun. 3 years 11 months ago

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