Dance Hall (1929 film): Difference between revisions
Content deleted Content added
tweak |
add fact to production |
||
| Line 26: | 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 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> |
'''''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> 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/> |
||
==Plot== |
==Plot== |
||
| Line 47: | Line 47: | ||
==Production== |
==Production== |
||
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 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> 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, page three)]</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.<ref name=AFI /> |
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.<ref name=AFI /> |
||
Revision as of 03:11, 16 January 2016
| Dance Hall | |
|---|---|
 Theatrical poster | |
| Directed by | Melville Brown[3] |
| Screenplay by | Jane Murfin J. Walter Ruben[3] |
| Story by | Viña Delmar[3] |
| Produced by | Henry Hobart[2] |
| Starring | Arthur Lake Olive Borden[3] |
| Cinematography | Jack MacKenzie |
| Edited by | Ann McKnight George Marsh[3] |
Production companies | |
Release dates | |
Running time | 65 minutes[2] |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
Dance Hall was an American 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] It was RKO's second to last release of the decade, and was a critical and financial flop.[3]
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.
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.
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.[6] By the end of June, RKO had scheduled filming to begin on approximately August 1, 1929.[7] 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,[8] and in early October it was learned that J. Walter Ruben would be contributing to the script's dialogue.[9] Also in October, RKO announced that Arthur Lake and Olive Borden were attached to the project,[10] and also that Margaret Seddon, Ralph Emerson, and Tom O'Brien would be joining the cast. [11] The production featured the introduction of two new dances: the "Dumb Drag" and the "Blue Bottom".[12]
The film opened on December 15, 1929 at the Globe Theater in New York City,[1] although the American Film Institute has it opening a day earlier.[2]
References
- ^ a b "The Broadway Parade". The Film Daily. December 16, 1929. p. 2. Retrieved January 15, 2016.
- ^ a b c d "Dance Hall: Detail View". American Film Institute. Retrieved June 3, 2014.
- ^ a b c d e f g Jewell, Richard B.; Harbin, Vernon (1982). The RKO Story. New York: Arlington House. p. 23. ISBN 0-517-546566.
- ^ "Shades of Old at Riverside" (Milwaukee Sentinel, January 13, 1930, page 9)
- ^ "'Dance Hall' at Park" (The Reading Eagle, January 16, 1930, page 25)
- ^ "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.
- ^ "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, page three)
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