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{{short description|1929 film by Melville Brown}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=October 2020}}
{{Infobox film
{{Infobox film
| name = Dance Hall
| name = Dance Hall
| image =
| image = DanceHallFilmPoster.jpg
| alt =
| alt =
| caption =
| caption = Theatrical release poster
| director = [[Melville W. Brown|Melville Brown]]
| film name =
| producer = [[Henry Hobart (producer)|Henry Hobart]]<ref name=AFI/>
| director = [[Melville W. Brown|Melville Brown]]<ref name=RKO>{{cite book | title=The RKO Story | last1=Jewell | first1=Richard B. | last2=Harbin | first2=Vernon | publisher=Arlington House | year=1982 | place=New York | page=23 |ISBN=0-517-546566}}</ref>
| producer = Henry Hobart<ref name=RKO/><br>[[William LeBaron]]<ref name=imdb>{{cite web | url=http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0019797/fullcredits?ref_=tt_ov_st_sm | title=Dance Hall | publisher=imdb.com | accessdate=April 5, 2014}}</ref>
| writer =
| writer =
| screenplay = [[Jane Murfin]]<br>[[J. Walter Ruben]]<ref name=RKO/>
| screenplay = [[Jane Murfin]]<br>[[J. Walter Ruben]]
| story = [[Vina Delmar]]<ref name=RKO/>
| story = [[Viña Delmar]]<ref name=RKO/>
| based on = <!-- {{based on|title of the original work|writer of the original work}} -->
| based_on = <!-- {{based on|title of the original work|writer of the original work}} -->
| narrator =
| narrator =
| starring = [[Olive Borden]]<br>[[Arthur Lake (actor)|Arthur Lake]]<ref name=RKO/>
| starring = [[Arthur Lake (actor)|Arthur Lake]]<br>[[Olive Borden]]
| music =
| music =
| cinematography = [[Jack MacKenzie]]<ref name=imdb/>
| cinematography = [[Jack MacKenzie (cinematographer)|Jack MacKenzie]]
| editing = George Marsh<br>Ann McKnight<ref name=imdb/>
| editing = [[Ann McKnight]]<br>George Marsh
| studio = [[RKO Pictures]]<ref name=RKO/>
| studio =
| distributor = [[RKO Pictures]]<ref name=RKO/>
| distributor = [[Radio Pictures]]
| released = {{Film date|1929|12|14| Premiere-New York City|1929|12|27|U.S.|ref2=<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.afi.com/members/catalog/DetailView.aspx?s=&Movie=3552 | title=Dance Hall: Detail View | publisher=American Film Institute | accessdate=April 16, 2014}}</ref>}}
| released = {{Film date|1929|12|15|New York City|1929|12|27|United States| ref1= <ref name=TFD291215 />|ref2=<ref name=AFI>[http://www.afi.com/members/catalog/DetailView.aspx?s=&Movie=3552 "Detail view: 'Dance Hall'."] ''American Film Institute''. Retrieved: June 3, 2014.</ref>}}
| runtime = 65 minutes
| runtime = 65 minutes<ref name=AFI />
| country = United States
| country = United States
| language = English
| language = English
Line 25: Line 26:
| gross =
| gross =
}}
}}

'''''Dance Hall''''' was an American [[musical film]] directed by [[Melville W. Brown|Melville Brown]] and written by [[Jane Murfin]] and [[J. Walter Ruben]], based on a story by [[Vina Delmar]]. It was RKO's last release of the decade, and was a critical and financial flop.<ref name=RKO/>
'''''Dance Hall''''' is a 1929 American [[pre-Code]] [[musical film]] directed by [[Melville W. Brown|Melville Brown]] and written by [[Jane Murfin]] and [[J. Walter Ruben]], based on the short story of the same name by [[Vina Delmar]].<ref>[https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1368&dat=19300113&id=wF5QAAAAIBAJ&sjid=2w4EAAAAIBAJ&pg=6639,2579006&hl=en "Shades of old at Riverside."] ''Milwaukee Sentinel'', January 13, 1930, p. 9.</ref><ref>[https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1955&dat=19300116&id=vW4hAAAAIBAJ&sjid=2ocFAAAAIBAJ&pg=2213,2993583&hl=en "'Dance Hall' at Park."] ''The Reading Eagle'', January 16, 1930, p. 25.</ref> The film centers a love triangle with a shipping clerk competing with a dashing aviator for the affections of a young [[taxi dancer]].<ref>Wynne 1987, p. 172.</ref><ref>Pendo 1985, p. 10.</ref> It was [[Radio Pictures]]' second to last release of the decade, and was a critical and financial flop.{{#tag:ref|''The RKO Story'' (1982) has ''Dance Hall'' listed as the last release, and it was the last general release, but ''Seven Keys to Baldpate'' premiered on Christmas Day, 1929, although it was not released until January 1930.<ref name=RKO>Jewell and Harbin 1982, p. 23.</ref>|group=N}}


==Plot==
==Plot==
A shipping clerk, Tommy Flynn, engages a young female [[taxi dancer]], Gracie Nolan, and the two gain some success in dance halls, winning several dance contests. As they do, he becomes infatuated with her, but she only has eyes for a pilot, Ted Smith, who wants her as a trophy of his own.
Shipping clerk Tommy Flynn ([[Arthur Lake (actor)|Arthur Lake]]) engages Gracie Nolan ([[Olive Borden]]), a young [[taxi dancer]], and the two gain some success in dance halls, winning several dance contests. As they do, he becomes infatuated with her, but she only has eyes for Ted Smith (Ralph Emerson) a pilot who wants her as a trophy of his own.


Flynn is unsuccessful in his attempts to woo the young Gracie, until the pilot crashes during his attempt at a transcontinental flight. Flynn hides the fact that the pilot is still alive from Gracie, as he attempts to get her to fall in love with him, but when she discovers his subterfuge, she is enraged and rushes off to be with the pilot.
Flynn is unsuccessful in his attempts to woo the young Gracie, until the pilot crashes during his attempt at a transcontinental flight. Flynn hides the fact from Gracie that the pilot is still alive, as he attempts to get her to fall in love with him. When she discovers his subterfuge, she is enraged and rushes off to be with the pilot.


However, when she finds Smith, she uncovers that he has been living with another woman. Devastated, she returns to Tommy, who takes her back. Reunited the two lovers become a successful dancing team.
However, when she finds Smith, she uncovers that he has been living with another woman. Devastated, she returns to Tommy, who takes her back. Reunited, the two lovers become a successful dancing team.


==Cast==
==Cast==
[[File:OliveBordenArthurLake.DanceHall.1929.jpg|thumb|right|Olive Borden and Arthur Lake]]
*[[Olive Borden]] as Gracie Nolan
{{div col}}
*[[Arthur Lake (actor)|Arthur Lake]] as Tommy Flynn
*[[Margaret Seddon]] as Mrs. Flynn
* [[Arthur Lake (actor)|Arthur Lake]] as Tommy Flynn
*[[Ralph Emerson]] as Ted Smith
* [[Olive Borden]] as Gracie Nolan
*[[Joseph Cawthorn]] as Bremmer
* [[Joseph Cawthorn]] as Bremmer
* [[Margaret Seddon]] as Mrs. Flynn
⚫
*Helen Kaiser as Bee
* [[Ralph Emerson (actor)|Ralph Emerson]] as Ted Smith
*[[Lee Moran]] as Ernie
* [[Lee Moran]] as Ernie
⚫
* Helen Kaiser as Bee
* Tom O'Brien as Truck driver
* [[George Irving (American actor)|George Irving]] as Doctor Loring
{{div col end}}

==Production==
In February 1929, it was announced that [[Viña Delmar]] had been signed by RKO to write the story of ''Dance Hall''.<ref>[https://archive.org/stream/filmdaily4748newy#page/n341/mode/2up/search/%22Dance+Hall%22 "Two more writers added to Radio Pictures staff."] ''The Film Daily'', February 10, 1929, p. 9. Retrieved: January 15, 2016.</ref> By the end of June, RKO had scheduled filming to begin on approximately August 1, 1929.<ref>[https://archive.org/stream/filmdaily4748newy#page/n1607/mode/2up/search/%22Dance+Hall%22 "Shooting Schedules set on 4 new Radio films."] ''The Film Daily'', June 30, 1929, p. 6. Retrieved: January 15, 2016.</ref>

In September, ''The Film Daily'' reported that Melville Brown had been signed to a long-term contract by RKO, and that ''Dance Hall'' would be his first project with his new studio, and in early October, it was learned that J. Walter Ruben would be contributing to the script's dialogue.<ref name="Director Signs Long Contract">[https://archive.org/stream/filmdaily4950newy#page/838/mode/2up/search/%22Dance+Hall%22 "Director signs long contract."] ''The Film Daily'','September 30, 1929, p. 9. Retrieved: January 15, 2016.</ref> Also in October, RKO announced that Arthur Lake and Olive Borden were attached to the project,<ref>[https://archive.org/stream/filmdaily4950newy#page/1042/mode/2up/search/%22Dance+Hall%22 "At works in 'Dance Hall'."] ''The Film Daily'', October 23, 1929, p. 6. Retrieved: January 15, 2016.</ref> and also that Margaret Seddon, Ralph Emerson and Tom O'Brien would be joining the cast.<ref>[https://archive.org/stream/filmdaily4950newy#page/1010/mode/2up/search/%22Dance+Hall%22 "RKO signs Rupert Julian and twelve new players."] ''The Film Daily'', October 20, 1929, p. 5. Retrieved: January 15, 2016.</ref> The production featured the introduction of two new dances: the "Dumb Drag" and the "Blue Bottom".<ref>[https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1908&dat=19300802&id=zE0rAAAAIBAJ&sjid=y9cEAAAAIBAJ&pg=4138,2723437&hl=en "Film introduces popular dances."] ''The Nevada Daily Mail and The Evening Post'', August 2, 1930, p. 3.</ref>

While originally scheduled for August, filming on ''Dance Hall'' did not begin until mid-October 1929.<ref>[https://archive.org/stream/variety96-1929-10#page/n7/mode/2up/search/%22Dance+Hall%22 "Radio's Octette."] ''Variety'', October 2, 1929, p. 8. Retrieved: January 15, 2016.</ref> After production began, a fire at [[Consolidated Film Industries]], the laboratory developing the negatives, destroyed two days worth of filming.<ref>[https://archive.org/stream/variety96-1929-10#page/n345/mode/2up/search/%22Dance+Hall%22 "Negatives and heavy damage at disastrous Con. Lab Coast fire."] ''Variety'', October 30, 1929, p. 9. Retrieved: January 15, 2016.</ref> By November 20, filming on ''Dance Hall'' had concluded and the picture was being edited.<ref>[https://archive.org/stream/variety97-1929-11#page/n159/mode/2up/search/%22Dance+Hall%22 "Cutting four."] ''Variety'', November 20, 1929, p. 8. Retrieved: January 15, 2016.</ref>

''Dance Hall'' opened on December 15, 1929, at the Globe Theater in [[New York City]],<ref name=TFD291215>[https://archive.org/stream/filmdaily4950newy#page/1550/mode/2up/search/%22Dance+Hall%22 "The Broadway parade.'] ''The Film Daily'', December 16, 1929, p. 2. Retrieved: January 15, 2016.</ref> although the ''[[American Film Institute]]'' has it opening a day earlier.<ref name=AFI />

==Reception==
In his film review for ''[[The New York Times]]'', Mordaunt Hall characterized ''Dance Hall'' as mildly entertaining, "... while it may be a slice of life, or whatever one cares to characterize it, the result is far from being an edifying entertainment. Possibly some of those who compete in marathon dances may find that this production appeals to them, but others, young or old, will, in all probability, wish for something just a trifle more stimulating to the mind than this tale of a dance cup winner and his love for his partner."

<ref>Hall, Mordaunt. [https://www.nytimes.com/1929/12/16/archives/the-screen-a-tragedy-of-the-desert.html "The screen; A tragedy of the desert."] ''The New York Times'', December 16, 1929.</ref>

Film historians Richard Jewell and Vernon Harbin in ''The RKO Story'' (1982) considered ''Dance Hall'', a "sour note ..." yet "... mildly diverting." They further described that the film "collapsed in the critical areas of acting (Arthur Lake was the weakest of the weak), (and) dialogue ..."<ref name=RKO/>

==See also==
* [[List of early sound feature films (1926–1929)]]


==References==
==References==
===Notes===
{{reflist}}
{{Reflist|group=N}}

===Citations===
{{Reflist|30em}}

===Bibliography===
{{Refbegin}}
* Jewell, Richard B. and Vernon Harbin. ''The RKO Story''. New York: Arlington House, 1982. {{ISBN|0-517-54-656-6}}.
* Pendo, Stephen. ''Aviation in the Cinema''. Lanham, Maryland: Scarecrow Press, 1985. {{ISBN|0-8-1081-746-2}}.
* Wynne, H. Hugh. ''The Motion Picture Stunt Pilots and Hollywood's Classic Aviation Movies''. Missoula, Montana: Pictorial Histories Publishing Co., 1987. {{ISBN|978-0-93312-685-5}}.
{{Refend}}


==External links==
==External links==
* {{Allmovie title|88484|Jazz Heaven}}
* {{Allmovie title|88484|Dance Hall}}
* {{IMDb title|0019797|Jazz Heaven}}
* {{IMDb title|0019797|Dance Hall}}
* {{AFI film|3552|Dance Hall}}
* {{tcmdb title|3449|Dance Hall}}

{{Melville Brown}}

[[Category:1929 films]]
[[Category:1929 musical films]]
[[Category:American aviation films]]
[[Category:American musical films]]
[[Category:American black-and-white films]]
[[Category:Films based on short fiction]]
[[Category:RKO Pictures films]]
[[Category:Films with screenplays by Jane Murfin]]
[[Category:Films directed by Melville W. Brown]]
[[Category:Films based on works by Viña Delmar]]
[[Category:1920s American films]]

Latest revision as of 15:21, 2 April 2023

Dance Hall
Theatrical release poster
Directed byMelville Brown
Screenplay byJane Murfin
J. Walter Ruben
Story byViña Delmar[1]
Produced byHenry Hobart[2]
StarringArthur Lake
Olive Borden
CinematographyJack MacKenzie
Edited byAnn McKnight
George Marsh
Distributed byRadio Pictures
Release dates
  • December 15, 1929 (1929-12-15) (New York City)[3]
  • December 27, 1929 (1929-12-27) (United States)[2]
Running time
65 minutes[2]
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish

Dance Hall is a 1929 American pre-Code musical film directed by Melville Brown and written by Jane Murfin and J. Walter Ruben, based on the short story of the same name by Vina Delmar.[4][5] The film centers a love triangle with a shipping clerk competing with a dashing aviator for the affections of a young taxi dancer.[6][7] It was Radio Pictures' second to last release of the decade, and was a critical and financial flop.[N 1]

Plot

[edit]

Shipping clerk Tommy Flynn (Arthur Lake) engages Gracie Nolan (Olive Borden), a young taxi dancer, and the two gain some success in dance halls, winning several dance contests. As they do, he becomes infatuated with her, but she only has eyes for Ted Smith (Ralph Emerson) a pilot who wants her as a trophy of his own.

Flynn is unsuccessful in his attempts to woo the young Gracie, until the pilot crashes during his attempt at a transcontinental flight. Flynn hides the fact from Gracie that the pilot is still alive, as he attempts to get her to fall in love with him. When she discovers his subterfuge, she is enraged and rushes off to be with the pilot.

However, when she finds Smith, she uncovers that he has been living with another woman. Devastated, she returns to Tommy, who takes her back. Reunited, the two lovers become a successful dancing team.

Cast

[edit]
Olive Borden and Arthur Lake

Production

[edit]

In February 1929, it was announced that Viña Delmar had been signed by RKO to write the story of Dance Hall.[8] By the end of June, RKO had scheduled filming to begin on approximately August 1, 1929.[9]

In September, The Film Daily reported that Melville Brown had been signed to a long-term contract by RKO, and that Dance Hall would be his first project with his new studio, and in early October, it was learned that J. Walter Ruben would be contributing to the script's dialogue.[10] Also in October, RKO announced that Arthur Lake and Olive Borden were attached to the project,[11] and also that Margaret Seddon, Ralph Emerson and Tom O'Brien would be joining the cast.[12] The production featured the introduction of two new dances: the "Dumb Drag" and the "Blue Bottom".[13]

While originally scheduled for August, filming on Dance Hall did not begin until mid-October 1929.[14] After production began, a fire at Consolidated Film Industries, the laboratory developing the negatives, destroyed two days worth of filming.[15] By November 20, filming on Dance Hall had concluded and the picture was being edited.[16]

Dance Hall opened on December 15, 1929, at the Globe Theater in New York City,[3] although the American Film Institute has it opening a day earlier.[2]

Reception

[edit]

In his film review for The New York Times, Mordaunt Hall characterized Dance Hall as mildly entertaining, "... while it may be a slice of life, or whatever one cares to characterize it, the result is far from being an edifying entertainment. Possibly some of those who compete in marathon dances may find that this production appeals to them, but others, young or old, will, in all probability, wish for something just a trifle more stimulating to the mind than this tale of a dance cup winner and his love for his partner."

[17]

Film historians Richard Jewell and Vernon Harbin in The RKO Story (1982) considered Dance Hall, a "sour note ..." yet "... mildly diverting." They further described that the film "collapsed in the critical areas of acting (Arthur Lake was the weakest of the weak), (and) dialogue ..."[1]

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]

Notes

[edit]
  1. ^ The RKO Story (1982) has Dance Hall listed as the last release, and it was the last general release, but Seven Keys to Baldpate premiered on Christmas Day, 1929, although it was not released until January 1930.[1]

Citations

[edit]
  1. ^ a b c Jewell and Harbin 1982, p. 23.
  2. ^ a b c d "Detail view: 'Dance Hall'." American Film Institute. Retrieved: June 3, 2014.
  3. ^ a b "The Broadway parade.' The Film Daily, December 16, 1929, p. 2. Retrieved: January 15, 2016.
  4. ^ "Shades of old at Riverside." Milwaukee Sentinel, January 13, 1930, p. 9.
  5. ^ "'Dance Hall' at Park." The Reading Eagle, January 16, 1930, p. 25.
  6. ^ Wynne 1987, p. 172.
  7. ^ Pendo 1985, p. 10.
  8. ^ "Two more writers added to Radio Pictures staff." The Film Daily, February 10, 1929, p. 9. Retrieved: January 15, 2016.
  9. ^ "Shooting Schedules set on 4 new Radio films." The Film Daily, June 30, 1929, p. 6. Retrieved: January 15, 2016.
  10. ^ "Director signs long contract." The Film Daily,'September 30, 1929, p. 9. Retrieved: January 15, 2016.
  11. ^ "At works in 'Dance Hall'." The Film Daily, October 23, 1929, p. 6. Retrieved: January 15, 2016.
  12. ^ "RKO signs Rupert Julian and twelve new players." The Film Daily, October 20, 1929, p. 5. Retrieved: January 15, 2016.
  13. ^ "Film introduces popular dances." The Nevada Daily Mail and The Evening Post, August 2, 1930, p. 3.
  14. ^ "Radio's Octette." Variety, October 2, 1929, p. 8. Retrieved: January 15, 2016.
  15. ^ "Negatives and heavy damage at disastrous Con. Lab Coast fire." Variety, October 30, 1929, p. 9. Retrieved: January 15, 2016.
  16. ^ "Cutting four." Variety, November 20, 1929, p. 8. Retrieved: January 15, 2016.
  17. ^ Hall, Mordaunt. "The screen; A tragedy of the desert." The New York Times, December 16, 1929.

Bibliography

[edit]
  • Jewell, Richard B. and Vernon Harbin. The RKO Story. New York: Arlington House, 1982. ISBN 0-517-54-656-6.
  • Pendo, Stephen. Aviation in the Cinema. Lanham, Maryland: Scarecrow Press, 1985. ISBN 0-8-1081-746-2.
  • Wynne, H. Hugh. The Motion Picture Stunt Pilots and Hollywood's Classic Aviation Movies. Missoula, Montana: Pictorial Histories Publishing Co., 1987. ISBN 978-0-93312-685-5.
[edit]
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