IMDb > Swing Time (1936)
Swing Time
Quicklinks
Top Links
trailers and videosfull cast and crewtriviaofficial sitesmemorable quotes
Overview
main detailscombined detailsfull cast and crewcompany creditstv schedule
Awards & Reviews
user commentsexternal reviewsnewsgroup reviewsawardsuser ratingsparents guiderecommendationsmessage board
Plot & Quotes
plot summarysynopsisplot keywordsAmazon.com summarymemorable quotes
Fun Stuff
triviagoofssoundtrack listingcrazy creditsalternate versionsmovie connectionsFAQ
Other Info
merchandising linksbox office/businessrelease datesfilming locationstechnical specslaserdisc detailsDVD detailsliterature listingsNewsDesk
Promotional
taglines trailers and videos posters photo gallery
External Links
showtimesofficial sitesmiscellaneousphotographssound clipsvideo clips

Swing Time (1936) More at IMDbPro »


Overview

User Rating:
7.7/10   3,591 votes
MOVIEmeter: ?

Up 3% in popularity this week. See why on IMDbPro.

Director:

George Stevens

Writers:

Howard Lindsay (screenplay) and
Allan Scott (screenplay) ...
more

Contact:

View company contact information for Swing Time on IMDbPro.

Release Date:

12 October 1936 (Brazil) more

Genre:

Comedy | Musical | Romance more

Tagline:

A glorious songburst of gaiety and laughter! more

Plot:

A performer and gambler travels to New York City to raise the $25,000 he needs to marry his fiancée, only to become entangled with a beautiful aspiring dancer. full summary | add synopsis

Awards:

Won Oscar. Another 1 win & 2 nominations more

NewsDesk:
(7 articles)

Photos: Jen Garner and Girls at Park
 (From Extra. 22 October 2009, 7:09 AM, PDT)

Photo: Nicole Richie's Little Sparrow
 (From Extra. 21 October 2009, 12:51 PM, PDT)

User Comments:

Excellent Astaire/Rogers Feature more (54 total)


Cast

  (Complete credited cast)

Fred Astaire ... Lucky Garnett

Ginger Rogers ... Penny Carroll
Victor Moore ... Pop Cardetti
Helen Broderick ... Mabel Anderson
Eric Blore ... Gordon
Betty Furness ... Margaret Watson
Georges Metaxa ... Ricky Romero
more
Create a character page for: ?

Additional Details

Also Known As:

I Won't Dance (USA) (working title)
Never Gonna Dance (USA) (working title)
more

Runtime:

103 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1 more

Sound Mix:

Mono (RCA Victor System)

Certification:

Finland:S | Portugal:M/6 | South Korea:All | USA:TV-G (TV rating) | UK:U | USA:Approved (PCA #2273)


Fun Stuff

Trivia:

Fred Astaire always insisted that his dance routines be filmed in one continuous camera shot, showing the dancer(s) from head to foot. However, in the "Never Gonna Dance" number, there is an obvious moment when 'Astaire and Rogers' reach the tops of their respective winding staircases that the camera shot changes quickly to reflect the fact that the filming camera had to be brought upstairs to shoot the close-up finale of the dance number. more

Goofs:

Continuity: In the scene at the New Amsterdam, when Lucky first gets out of the car, there is a large white mark on the seat of his coat. This is possibly because no-one brushed off his coat after a previous take of the same scene, in which he sits down on a "snow" covered bench. more

Quotes:

Mabel Anderson: [Mable thinks she's talking to Pop and turns to a young lady sitting at one of the tables] Oh, listen girlie! Don't worry about me. I always talk to myself... you see, I'm my own grandmother and I have to keep the old girl interested! more

Movie Connections:

Featured in AFI's 100 Years... 100 Songs (2004) (TV) more

Soundtrack:

Waltz in Swing Time more


FAQ

This FAQ is empty. Add the first question.
18 out of 21 people found the following comment useful.
Excellent Astaire/Rogers Feature, 8 November 2004
Author: Snow Leopard from Ohio

An excellent feature in almost every respect, "Swing Time" is usually (and deservedly) considered to be, along with "Top Hat", the best of the series of Ginger Rogers/Fred Astaire musicals. And while "Top Hat" is a well-crafted and enjoyable movie, "Swing Time" might be even better. The story is light but entertaining, and the singing and dancing sequences are not only first-class, but also contain quite a variety of material, making this an ideal showcase for the stars and their talents.

Fred and Ginger are joined by Helen Broderick, who fits in very well. Victor Moore has some good moments, although his character is a bit over-used, and ceases to be funny after a while. The four of them carry almost all of the load - Eric Blore and Betty Furness are in the cast, but they do not get a lot of screen time.

The story is not bad, but it is the musical numbers that make this so enjoyable. Practically all of them can be watched a number of times without becoming dull. The upbeat sequence in the dance studio, and the "A Fine Romance" song in the snow both show, in different ways, the two stars working together closely. Astaire's tribute to Bojangles is an impressive display of talent and choreography. Then there are the more thoughtful sequences between the two, which show yet another side of their talents.

If "Swing Time" had Edward Everett Horton back in the cast, instead of the Victor Moore character, this would easily be the best of all of the Astaire/Rogers musicals. Even as it is, it's awfully good.

Was the above comment useful to you?
more (54 total)

Message Boards

Discuss this movie with other users on IMDb message board for Swing Time (1936)
Recent Posts (updated daily)User
makes the AFI top 100 best movies list!!!! nicknc1214
Question on 'Bojangles of Harlem' fast_fierce_and_funny
My favorite Astaire/Rogers film BUT rpniew
Funniest Part? zuzupetal_99
red hair? demonwarhead
This is my favorite Astaire and Rogers Movie trina_crys
more

Recommendations

If you enjoyed this title, our database also recommends:
- - - - -
Guys and Dolls Cover Girl The Miracle of Morgan's Creek Holiday Inn Enchanted
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
Show more recommendations

Related Links

Full cast and crew Company credits External reviews
News articles IMDb Comedy section IMDb USA section
Add this title to MyMovies

You may report errors and omissions on this page to the IMDb database managers. They will be examined and if approved will be included in a future update. Clicking the 'Update' button will take you through a step-by-step process.