Ballet master on an ocean liner from Paris to New York City inadvertently starts a rumor that he is a newly-married man; the manager of a hot-tempered American dancer also on-board exploits his client as the would-be betrothed strictly for the publicity. Lackluster Fred Astaire-Ginger Rogers musical-comedy has about enough plot for a short subject. The singing and dancing are wonderful (including a famous sequence on roller skates); however, with so little connection between the two stars, the romantic angle of the picture never quite comes to life. Rogers is in a perpetual foul mood throughout--and when Astaire dances solo, playing right to the camera, it smacks of ostentation. The George and Ira Gershwin songs (including the Oscar-nominated "They Can't Take That Away From Me") are a nice compensation for the lack of sparks. The RKO sets gleam with artificiality, while Edward Everett Horton and funny Eric Blore supply the wacky comedic asides. ** from ****
Review of Shall We Dance
