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6.3/10
Senior Film Conservator
A definitive 6.3/10 rating for a film that redefined the boundaries of cult cinema. Dance, Fools, Dance remains a cornerstone of transgressive art.
Alright, so if you're into old movies, specifically those wild pre-Code flicks from the early 30s, then Dance, Fools, Dance is probably worth a look. Especially if you're a Joan Crawford completist. It’s a messy, fast-paced dive into a world that’s just figuring out its own rules. If you need super tight plotting or heroes who never make dumb choices, you might find yourself a little frustrated. But for a peek into Hollywood's past, and a good dose of melodrama, it delivers.
The whole thing kicks off with Bonnie, our Joan Crawford, living the high life. Big house, fancy parties, the works. Then, boom, dad dies, money's gone. Suddenly, she's got to *gasp* get a job. She ends up as a cub reporter, which honestly feels a bit like a convenient plot device, but it does get her into some interesting spots. Her brother, Rodney, played by William Bakewell, decides to skip the honest work and jumps straight into bootlegging. Not exactly the best life choice, turns out.
Crawford, even this early, has *that thing* about her. She’s got this intense stare, even when she's supposed to be vulnerable. You can see the star power already building. There's this one scene where she's just listening to some bad news, and her face just crumples, but there's still a steeliness there. It’s not subtle acting, but it’s effective.
And then there’s Clark Gable. He shows up as Jake Luva, a tough guy involved in the bootlegging. It’s a smaller role, but man, he makes it count. He just oozes charisma, even when he’s being a total jerk. You can almost *feel* the screen crackle when he's talking to Crawford. That signature Gable laugh? Oh, it’s there, loud and clear. It's funny how a few years later, they’d be one of Hollywood’s most iconic on-screen duos.
The pacing is a bit all over the place. Some moments feel rushed, like the movie just needs to get to the next plot point. Other times, it slows right down, letting you soak in the atmosphere of these smoky speakeasies. I kept thinking about Midnight Follies and other early crime dramas while watching some of these scenes. The movie really leans into the moral ambiguity of the era.
Rodney’s descent into the criminal underworld is pretty quick. One minute he's a worried brother, the next he's neck-deep in illegal booze. It makes you wonder how many poor rich kids got mixed up in stuff like that back then. There’s a scene where he’s trying to explain himself, and it’s just a mess of excuses. You almost want to shake him.
One of the small, almost blink-and-you'll-miss-it delights is seeing Cliff Edwards, the voice of Jiminy Cricket, pop up as a musician. He plays a tune or two. It's a quick, fun reminder of who was working in Hollywood during this transition period. Seeing him here makes you realize how many familiar faces were doing all sorts of projects back then.
The film doesn't shy away from showing the grim consequences of the bootlegging life. There are shootouts, betrayals, and general mayhem. It gets pretty intense, especially towards the end. But even with all the drama, sometimes the resolutions feel a little *too* convenient, like the script just needed to tie things up quickly.
I remember this one shot of Crawford, just standing in a crowded room, but she looks utterly alone. It’s a quick moment, but it tells you everything about her character’s isolation, even when she’s surrounded by people. That’s the kind of thing that sticks with you.
Ultimately, Dance, Fools, Dance is a fascinating time capsule. It's got its flaws, sure. The plot can be a bit wobbly, and some of the performances beyond Crawford and Gable are just… fine. But it’s got energy, some genuinely tense moments, and a fantastic look at the early careers of two legends. It’s not perfect, but it's a vibrant, sometimes chaotic, piece of cinema history. Give it a shot if you're curious about what movies were like before the Code really clamped down. You might be surprised. 🎬
IMDb 6.2
1930
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