DANCING LADY

(1933) Having started her career as a dancer, it's a shame Joan Crawford wasn't put into more films where her talents in that area could be more utilized, but Dancing Lady is a prime example of her skills, as well as an entertaining love story/backstage drama in which Crawford plays Janie Bigelow, a young hoofer so determined to make it and spend her life dancing, she's doing burlesque when she catches the eye of rich playboy Tod Newton (Franchot Tone, who would become Crawford's second husband). Tod, in an effort to win Janie over, gets her an audition for a big Broadway show directed by the one and only Patch Gallagher (Clark Gable), who hates what he sees as Janie trying to sleep her way to the job by dating a rich guy, yet hires her anyway when he can't deny she has genuine talent. The love triangle builds from there, of course, but the actors make it all fresh ... and early appearances by the Three Stooges, Nelson Eddy, and Fred Astaire (who is a delight to watch, dancing with Crawford, in his film debut) all make this film not only worthwhile but truly fun to watch, Crawford and Gable (who were reportedly also quite hot and heavy off-set) absolutely shining on the screen. (not rated) 7.5/10 stars