Dance Hall (1929 film): Difference between revisions

Dance Hall
Dance Hall
	Theatrical release poster
Directed by	Melville Brown
Screenplay by	Jane Murfin; J. Walter Ruben
Story by	Viña Delmar
Produced by	Henry Hobart
Starring	Arthur Lake; Olive Borden
Cinematography	Jack MacKenzie
Edited by	Ann McKnight; George Marsh
Distributed by	Radio Pictures
Release dates	December 15, 1929 (New York City); December 27, 1929 (United States);
Running time	65 minutes
Country	United States
Language	English

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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

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

Arthur Lake as Tommy Flynn
Olive Borden as Gracie Nolan
Joseph Cawthorn as Bremmer
Margaret Seddon as Mrs. Flynn
Ralph Emerson as Ted Smith
Lee Moran as Ernie
Helen Kaiser as Bee
Tom O'Brien as Truck driver
George Irving as Doctor Loring

Production

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

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]

References

Notes

^ 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

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

Bibliography

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.

External links

Dance Hall at AllMovie
Dance Hall at IMDb
Dance Hall at the AFI Catalog of Feature Films
Dance Hall at the TCM Movie Database

[8] 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]

[RKO-1] Jewell and Harbin 1982, p. 23.

[AFI-2] "Detail view: 'Dance Hall'." American Film Institute. Retrieved: June 3, 2014.

[TFD291215-3] "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.

[9] "Two more writers added to Radio Pictures staff." The Film Daily, February 10, 1929, p. 9. Retrieved: January 15, 2016.

[10] "Shooting Schedules set on 4 new Radio films." The Film Daily, June 30, 1929, p. 6. Retrieved: January 15, 2016.

[Director_Signs_Long_Contract-11] "Director signs long contract." The Film Daily,'September 30, 1929, p. 9. Retrieved: January 15, 2016.

[12] "At works in 'Dance Hall'." The Film Daily, October 23, 1929, p. 6. Retrieved: January 15, 2016.

[13] "RKO signs Rupert Julian and twelve new players." The Film Daily, October 20, 1929, p. 5. Retrieved: January 15, 2016.

[14] "Film introduces popular dances." The Nevada Daily Mail and The Evening Post, August 2, 1930, p. 3.

[15] "Radio's Octette." Variety, October 2, 1929, p. 8. Retrieved: January 15, 2016.

[16] "Negatives and heavy damage at disastrous Con. Lab Coast fire." Variety, October 30, 1929, p. 9. Retrieved: January 15, 2016.

[17] "Cutting four." Variety, November 20, 1929, p. 8. Retrieved: January 15, 2016.

[18] Hall, Mordaunt. "The screen; A tragedy of the desert." The New York Times, December 16, 1929.

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@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
+{{short description|1929 film by Melville Brown}}
-{{Use mdy dates|date=September 2014}}
+{{Use mdy dates|date=October 2020}}
 {{Infobox film
 | name           = Dance Hall
 | image          = DanceHallFilmPoster.jpg
 | alt            =
-| caption        = Theatrical poster
+| 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       = [[William LeBaron]]<br>[[Henry Hobart (producer)|Henry Hobart]] (associate producer)<ref name=RKO/>
 | writer         =
-| screenplay     = [[Jane Murfin]]<br>[[J. Walter Ruben]]<ref name=RKO/>
+| screenplay     = [[Jane Murfin]]<br>[[J. Walter Ruben]]
 | 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       =
-| starring       = [[Arthur Lake (actor)|Arthur Lake]]<br>[[Olive Borden]]<ref name=RKO/>
+| starring       = [[Arthur Lake (actor)|Arthur Lake]]<br>[[Olive Borden]]
 | music          =
-| cinematography = [[Jack MacKenzie]]
+| cinematography = [[Jack MacKenzie (cinematographer)|Jack MacKenzie]]
-| editing        = Ann McKnight<br>George Marsh<ref name=RKO/>
+| editing        = [[Ann McKnight]]<br>George Marsh
-| studio         = [[A Radio Picture]]<br>[[RKO Productions, Inc.]]<ref name=RKO/>
+| studio         =
-| distributor    =
+| distributor    = [[Radio Pictures]]
-| released       = {{Film date|1929|12|15|Premiere-''New York City''|1929|12|27|''US''|  ref1= <ref name=TFD291215 />|ref2=<ref name=AFI>{{cite web | url=http://www.afi.com/members/catalog/DetailView.aspx?s=&Movie=3552| title=Dance Hall: Detail View | publisher=American Film Institute | accessdate=June 3, 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<ref name=AFI />
 | country        = United States
@@ Line 26: / Line 26: @@
 | 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 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, page 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, page 25)]</ref><ref>[https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1955&dat=19300117&id=vm4hAAAAIBAJ&sjid=2ocFAAAAIBAJ&pg=5052,3249654&hl=en "'Dance Hall' at Park" (''The Reading Eagle'', January 17, 1930, page 28)]</ref><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, page three)]</ref>  It was RKO's second to last release of the decade, and was a critical and financial flop.<!-- The RKO Story has it listed as the last release, and it was the last general release, but the Seven Keys to Baldpate premiered on Christmas Day, 1929, although it was not released until January 1930 --><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==
-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==
+[[File:OliveBordenArthurLake.DanceHall.1929.jpg|thumb|right|Olive Borden and Arthur Lake]]
-*[[Arthur Lake (actor)|Arthur Lake]] as Tommy Flynn
+{{div col}}
-*[[Olive Borden]] as Gracie Nolan
+* [[Arthur Lake (actor)|Arthur Lake]] as Tommy Flynn
-*[[Joseph Cawthorn]] as Bremmer
-*[[Margaret Seddon]] as Mrs. Flynn
+* [[Olive Borden]] as Gracie Nolan
+* [[Joseph Cawthorn]] as Bremmer
-*Ralph Emerson as Ted Smith
-*[[Lee Moran]] as Ernie
+* [[Margaret Seddon]] as Mrs. Flynn
+* [[Ralph Emerson (actor)|Ralph Emerson]] as Ted Smith
-*Helen Kaiser as Bee
+* [[Lee Moran]] as Ernie
-*Tom O'Brien as Truck driver
+* Helen Kaiser as Bee
-*[[George Irving (American actor)|George Irving]] as Doctor Loring
+* 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 February 1929, it was announced that [[Viña Delmar]] had been signed by RKO to write the story.<ref>{{cite news | newspaper=The Film Daily | title=Two More Writers Added to Radio Pictures Staff | date=February 10, 1929 | page=9 | url=http://www.archive.org/stream/filmdaily4748newy#page/n341/mode/2up/search/%22Dance+Hall%22 | accessdate=January 15, 2016}}{{Open access}}</ref> By the end of June, RKO had scheduled filming to begin on approximately August 1, 1929.<ref>{{cite news | newspaper=The Film Daily | title=Shooting Schedules Set on 4 New Radio Films | date=June 30, 1929 | page=6 | url=http://www.archive.org/stream/filmdaily4748newy#page/n1607/mode/2up/search/%22Dance+Hall%22 | accessdate=January 15, 2016}}{{Open access}}</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,<ref>{{cite news | newspaper=The Film Daily | title=Director Signs Long Contract | date=September 30, 1929 | page=9 | url=http://www.archive.org/stream/filmdaily4950newy#page/838/mode/2up/search/%22Dance+Hall%22 | accessdate=January 15, 2016}}{{Open access}}</ref> and in early October it was learned that J. Walter Ruben would be contributing to the script's dialogue.<ref>{{cite news | newspaper=The Film Daily | title=Director Signs Long Contract | date=September 30, 1929 | page=9 | url=http://www.archive.org/stream/filmdaily4950newy#page/838/mode/2up/search/%22Dance+Hall%22 | accessdate=January 15, 2016}}{{Open access}}</ref> Also in October, RKO announced that Arthur Lake and Olive Borden were attached to the project,<ref>{{cite news | newspaper=The Film Daily | title=At Works in "Dance Hall" | date=October 23, 1929 | page=6 | url=http://www.archive.org/stream/filmdaily4950newy#page/1042/mode/2up/search/%22Dance+Hall%22 | accessdate=January 15, 2016}}{{Open access}}</ref> and also that Margaret Seddon, Ralph Emerson, and Tom O'Brien would be joining the cast. <ref>{{cite news | newspaper=The Film Daily | title=RKO Signs Rupert Julian and Twelve New Players | date=October 20, 1929 | page=5 | url=http://www.archive.org/stream/filmdaily4950newy#page/1010/mode/2up/search/%22Dance+Hall%22 | accessdate=January 15, 2016}}{{Open access}}</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>
-The film opened on December 15, 1929 at the Globe Theater in New York City,<ref name=TFD291215>{{cite news | newspaper=The Film Daily | title=The Broadway Parade | date=December 16, 1929 | page=2 | url=http://www.archive.org/stream/filmdaily4950newy#page/1550/mode/2up/search/%22Dance+Hall%22 | accessdate=January 15, 2016}}{{Open access}}</ref> although the [[American Film Institute]] has it opening a day earlier.
+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==
+===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==
@@ Line 60: / Line 89: @@
 * {{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 made before the MPAA Production Code]]
+[[Category:Films with screenplays by Jane Murfin]]
-[[Category:1920s musical films]]
+[[Category:Films directed by Melville W. Brown]]
-[[Category:Black-and-white films]]
+[[Category:Films based on works by Viña Delmar]]
+[[Category:1920s American films]]