Review of Dance, Girl, Dance

Despite what the absurd cat fight near the end of the movie might have you believe, Maureen O'Hara and Lucille Ball became what would ultimately be lifelong friends while making this film. And while having lunch on the set one day, Lucy would meet the love of her life, Desi Arnaz. So some said O'Hara was upstaged by Ball in "Dance, Girl, Dance" but I'd have to disagree. She was far too good an actress for that (and also Dorothy Arzner too good a director of actresses for that), as well as Lucy, who was playing the part of a performer terrified of being upstaged. Despite being largely expendable, Ralph Bellamy and Louis Hayward handle their thankless male roles with some aplomb (Hayward had recently married another of Hollywood's greatest female directors, Ida Lupino). All these relationships add to this film's level of interest (and make me grant it a couple of extra rating stars!), but the film itself isn't otherwise terribly notable (for its plot or character development, for example). So you may take all that under advisement, as you appreciate these two legendary redheads: the radiant O'Hara and burlesque bombshell Ball!