Metro's attempt to duplicate the success of 42nd Street with some of their biggest stars served as the screen introduction of Fred Astaire even though he really isn't properly showcased. Joan starts out as a cooch dancer but because of grit, determination, the right connections and a dancing talent that is apparently great she becomes the star of a Broadway bound show. I say apparently because with the evidence on display that Joanie offers the talent is only in her mind. She exudes star power to burn and while she's not exactly a glue foot her dancing movements especially above the waist are graceless and overly earnest, there is more than a whiff of desperation to them. Franchot Tone is stuck in the slick aimless society boy role that curtailed his career but Gable is brimming with virility and matches Crawford's glittering star measure for measure.
Review of Dancing Lady
