History Film / SwingTime

A 1936 {{Musical}} RomanticComedy film starring Creator/FredAstaire and Creator/GingerRogers, directed by Creator/GeorgeStevens. Victor Moore and Helen Broderick play supporting roles. The music is by Jerome Kern, with lyrics by Dorothy Fields. Many critics feel that this movie has the most advanced dancing (particularly from Ginger Rogers) of the Astaire/Rogers musicals.

A 1936 {{Musical}} RomanticComedy film starring Creator/FredAstaire and Creator/GingerRogers, directed by Creator/GeorgeStevens. Victor Moore and Helen Broderick play supporting roles. The music is by Jerome Kern, with lyrics by Dorothy Fields. Many critics feel that this movie has the most advanced dancing (particularly from Creator/GingerRogers) of the Astaire/Rogers musicals.

* LivingShadow: Played for laughs and awesome during the "Bojangles of Harlem" number. Lucky dances before a large backdrop on which he seems to cast three shadows. The shadows begin moving independently of him, and eventually walk away. (The amazing thing, on a meta level, is realizing that until this point he had been dancing in perfect sync with the separately recorded shadows, which he ''wasn't even looking at.)''

* AlmostKiss: During a daytrip to the country, Penny has been coming on to Lucky pretty strongly, and he's just decided to go for it ... when [[MoodKiller Pop hits him with a snowball]] as a reminder to remember his promise to Margaret.
* {{Blackface}}: For a tribute to Bill "Bojangles" Robinson during the Silver Sandal re-opening gala. Less exaggerated than some examples.
** For some reason, the costume and dance style in this number are more typical of another African American dancer, John Bubbles, who originated the role of Sportin' Life in ''Theatre/PorgyAndBess.'' Astaire admired Robinson and reportedly took some dance lessons from Bubbles, so the intent may have been a more general {{Homage}}.

* DrunkenMaster: The young UpperClassTwit from whom Lucky tries to win a suit of evening clothes is either this, or just so amazingly good at piquet that he's unbeatable even when sozzled. It's one of the few times Lucky loses a wager--but in his defense, he doesn't actually know how to play piquet and relies on Pop to help him.

* EmpathyPet / EvenTheDogIsAshamed: When Lucky misses his wedding, he faces the anger of Margaret's dog ''and'' cat. ([[RuleOfFunny And a glare from her ancestor's portrait.]]) They all (even the portrait) become much friendlier when he promises to earn $25,000.

** Lucky hopping the freight train like a [[{{Hobos}} hobo,]] a familiar image of TheGreatDepression--but wearing the immaculate suit from his canceled wedding.

* KissingDiscretionShot: When Penny and Lucky reconcile in the dressing room. They move closer ... closer ... and then someone opens the door, blocking the audience's view for a few crucial seconds. Screams of frustration must have been heard in many theaters in 1936.
** To expand, Astaire and Rogers had only done [[IKissYourHand hand kisses]] and short pecks onscreen so far, and teasing the audience was becoming a game. They'd already had an AlmostKiss earlier in the same movie. They wouldn't do a full-scale romantic kiss until ''Film/{{Carefree}}'' in 1938.

* LoveTriangle: Ricky/Penny/Lucky.
* MomentKiller: Pop and the snowball. (To be fair, Lucky had asked Pop earlier not to let him be alone with Penny, because he was afraid of being tempted in exactly the way he was.)

* SexyBacklessOutfit / SimpleYetOpulent: Penny's dress for "Never Gonna Dance" (see picture). It comes with a matching sparkly-accented PimpedOutCape, seen in an earlier sequence.

* SnowMeansLove: Penny and Lucky almost manage to acknowledge their feelings in the snowy daytrip scene (see AlmostKiss). It's also snowing (visible through the window) when they finally reunite.

* BookEnds: The movie opens and closes with a groom being late to his wedding because someone has convinced him that his trousers are [[DeaderThanDisco hopelessly out of style]] and need to be sent out for altering before he can be seen in them.

* EngagementChallenge: The $25,000.

A 1936 {{Musical}} RomanticComedy film starring Creator/FredAstaire and Creator/GingerRogers, directed by George Stevens. Victor Moore and Helen Broderick play supporting roles. The music is by Jerome Kern, with lyrics by Dorothy Fields. Many critics feel that this movie has the most advanced dancing (particularly from Creator/GingerRogers) of the Astaire/Rogers musicals.

* ShoutOut: To the MarxBrothers and ''Major Bowes' Amateur Hour'' (a radio variety show) in "Never Gonna Dance." The line "I'll give my rhythm back to the breeze" may be a shout-out to the Music/GeorgeGershwin song "I Got Rhythm."
** Also a subtle one to Dorothy Fields' lyric for "I Won't Dance" from ''Film/{{Roberta}}'' (which itself contained a ShoutOut to ''Film/TheGayDivorcee).'' "I Won't Dance" ends with these lines: "I know that music leads the way to romance / So if I hold you in my arms, I won't dance." At the end of ''Swing Time,'' Lucky sings while taking Penny into his arms, "Remember how my arms hold you when we dance / But we're not going to dance / This is a fine romance."

The audition is repeatedly delayed, first because Lucky can't procure the proper clothes in time and then because the band's contract is in the hands of a a shady casino owner. Meanwhile, Lucky gambles his way to a large sum of money with the help of ten dollars borrowed from Penny's friend Mabel Anderson (Broderick). Penny [[BelligerentSexualTension alternates between being angry at Lucky and starting to develop feelings for him.]] Lucky finds himself falling for Penny as well, but their budding romance is stifled when he remembers his pledge to Margaret. When Pop reveals to a perplexed Penny the reason behind Lucky's aloofness, Penny again snubs her partner and, in spite of her love for him, [[OnTheRebound turns to]] [[RomanticFalseLead bandleader Ricky Romero,]] [[LoveTriangle who has been in love with her for some time.]]

* CutSong: The original opening number, "It's Not In the Cards," showed Pop's magic act as well as the dancing troupe in action. Sadly, not only has the footage been lost, but not even the sheet music survives; only the very end of the song can be heard as the film opens.

** To expand, Astaire and Rogers had only done [[IKissYourHand hand kisses]] and short pecks onscreen so far, and teasing the audience was becoming a game. They'd already had an AlmostKiss earlier in the same movie. They wouldn't do a full-scale romantic kiss until ''Carefree'' in 1938.

* ChekhovsSkill: Pop's magic trick, [[PickACard picking the ace of spades out of a seemingly random deck.]] He uses it to beat a marked deck to win Ricky's contract from the casino owner.

* CutSong: The original opening number, "It's Not In the Cards," apparently showed Pop's magic act as well as the dancing troupe in action. Sadly, not only has the footage been lost, but not even the sheet music survives; only the very end of the song can be heard as the film opens.

* KissingDiscretionShot: When Penny and Lucky reconcile in the dressing room just before everything goes downhill. They move closer ... closer ... and then someone opens the door, blocking the audience's view for a few crucial seconds. Screams of frustration must have been heard in many theaters in 1936.

* ProfessionalGambler: Lucky. In the opening scene, he insists there is no money in dancing and gambling is his true talent. However, he gives it up by the end due to CharacterDevelopment and the fact that he is by that time part-owner of the nightclub.

* ShoutOut: To the MarxBrothers and ''Major Bowes' Amateur Hour'' (a radio variety show) in "Never Gonna Dance."

* SnowMeansLove: Penny and Lucky almost finally acknowledge their feelings in the snowy daytrip scene (see AlmostKiss). It's also snowing (visible through the window) when they finally reunite.

John [[BornLucky "Lucky"]] Garnett (Astaire), a featured troupe dancer and ProfessionalGambler, misses his wedding to [[RomanticFalseLead wealthy hometown girl Margaret]] when his buddies play a trick on him. Margaret's father tells Lucky that [[EngagmentChallenge he must earn $25,000 in order to demonstrate his good intentions]] if he wants another chance with her. With only the clothes on his back and his [[GoodLuckCharm lucky quarter]], Lucky [[OutsideRide hops a freight train]] for New York along with his friend "Pop" Cardetti (Moore), a stage magician.

* BSODSong: "Never Gonna Dance" is a surreal, disjointed song expressing Lucky's sense of desolation when it seems he is losing Penny for good. Also a BreakupSong and GriefSong.

* BookEnds: The movie opens and closes with a groom being late to his wedding because someone has convinced him that his trousers are [[DeaderThanDisco hopelessly out of style]] and need to be sent out for altering before he can be seen in them.
* BornLucky: Lucky doesn't even have to gamble to win money--even cigarette machines spill coins for him. This becomes a problem later when he is trying to avoid getting $25,000 so he won't have to go back to Margaret.

* ElevenOClockNumber: "Never Gonna Dance."

John [[BornLucky "Lucky"]] Garnett (Astaire), a featured troupe dancer and ProfessionalGambler, misses his wedding to [[RomanticFalseLead wealthy hometown girl Margaret]] when his buddies play a trick on him. Margaret's father tells Lucky that he must earn $25,000 in order to demonstrate his good intentions if he wants another chance with her. With only the clothes on his back and his [[GoodLuckCharm lucky quarter]], Lucky [[OutsideRide hops a freight train]] for New York along with his friend "Pop" Cardetti (Moore), a stage magician.

* BSODSong: "Never Gonna Dance" is a surreal, disjointed song expressing Lucky's sense of desolation when it seems he is losing Penny for good. Also counts as a BreakupSong and GriefSong.

* AlmostKiss: During a daytrip to the country, Penny has been coming on to Lucky pretty strongly, and he's just decided to go for it ... when Pop hits him with a snowball as a reminder to remember his promise to Margaret.

* BSODSong / GriefSong: "Never Gonna Dance" is a surreal, disjointed song expressing Lucky's sense of desolation when it seems he is losing Penny for good.

* SexyBacklessOutfit / SimpleYetOpulent: Penny's dress for "Never Gonna Dance" (see picture). It comes with a matching sparkly-accented PimpedOutCape, seen in another scene.

** Also a subtle one to Dorothy Fields' lyric for "I Won't Dance" from ''Film/{{Roberta}}'' (which itself contained a ShoutOut to ''Film/TheGayDivorcee).'' "I Won't Dance" ends with these lines: "I know that music leads the way to romance / So if I hold you in my arms, I won't dance." In the final duet at the end of ''Swing Time,'' Lucky sings while taking Penny into his arms, "Remember how my arms hold you when we dance / But we're not going to dance / This is a fine romance."

** The movie was originally going to be titled ''Never Gonna Dance,'' which would have been a more straightforward example. That title was also used for the ScreenToStageAdaptation.

* BookEnds: The movie opens and closes with a bridegroom being late to his wedding because someone has convinced him that his trousers are [[DeaderThanDisco hopelessly out of style]] and need to be sent out for altering before he can be seen in them.

** Lucky hoping the freight train for New York like a [[{{Hobos}} hobo,]] a familiar image of TheGreatDepression--but wearing the immaculate suit from his canceled wedding.

[[caption-width-right:300:''"Never'' Gonna Dance"? [[note]]They did 47 takes of this number and worked until 10 p.m. Fred had to change his shirt six times, and Ginger's feet were bleeding by the time they finished. But it was WorthIt.[[/note]]]]

* CueTheSun: During the final duet, the sun breaks through the clouds and shines through the window as Lucky and Penny embrace.
* CutSong: The original opening number, "It's Not In the Cards," apparently showed Pop's magic act as well as the dancing troupe in action. Sadly, not only has the footage been lost, but not even the sheet music survives; only the very end of it can be heard as the film opens.
* TheElevenOClockNumber: "Never Gonna Dance."

** Lucky, wearing the immaculate suit he had put on for his wedding, hops a freight train for New York like a hobo, a familiar image of TheGreatDepression.

** Also a subtle one to Dorothy Fields' lyric for "I Won't Dance" from ''Film/{{Roberta}}'' (which itself contained a ShoutOut to ''Film/TheGayDivorcee).'' "I Won't Dance" ends with these lines: "I know that music leads the way to romance / So if I hold you in my arms, I won't dance." In the final duet at the end of ''Swing Time,'' Lucky sings (to the tune of "A Fine Romance"), "Remember how my arms hold you when we dance / But we're not going to dance / This is a fine romance."
* SnowMeansLove: Penny and Lucky's feelings are very apparent in the snowy daytrip scene (see AlmostKiss). Unfortunately, then Pop has to go and tell Penny about Margaret.

John "Lucky" Garnett (Astaire), a featured troupe dancer and ProfessionalGambler, misses his wedding to wealthy hometown girl Margaret when his buddies play a trick on him. Margaret's father tells Lucky that he must earn $25,000 in order to demonstrate his good intentions if he wants another chance with her. With only the clothes on his back and his [[GoodLuckCharm lucky quarter]], Lucky [[OutsideRide hops a freight train]] for New York along with his friend "Pop" Cardetti (Moore), a stage magician.

* CueTheSun: During the final duet, the sun breaks through and shines through the window as Lucky and Penny embrace.

* RomanticFalseLead: Ricky.

A 1936 {{Musical}} RomanticComedy film starring Creator/FredAstaire and Creator/GingerRogers, directed by George Stevens. Victor Moore and Helen Broderick play supporting roles, and the music is by Jerome Kern. Many critics feel that this movie has the most advanced dancing (particularly from Creator/GingerRogers) of the Astaire/Rogers musicals.

* CounterpointDuet: For the finale, Lucky sings the tune of "A Fine Romance" in counterpoint with Penny singing the tune of "The Way You Look Tonight," demonstrating that the two melodies fit together perfectly.

* OutsideRide: Lucky and Pop ride to New York on a freight train (a popular image of TheGreatDepression).

* SerenadeYourLover: Lucky sings "The Way You Look Tonight" to Penny while she washes her hair. As he finishes, she comes into the room with her hair full of lather, creating an IronicJuxtaposition between the words and the way she actually looks.

* SexyBacklessDress / SimpleYetOpulent: Penny's dress for "Never Gonna Dance" (see picture). It comes with a matching sparkly-accented PimpedOutCape, seen in another scene.

* GoodLuckCharm: The lucky quarter. Pop seems to take it more seriously than Lucky does, as Lucky is willing to have it changed so Pop can buy cigarettes.

** To explain, Astaire and Rogers had only done [[IKissYourHand hand kisses]] and short pecks onscreen so far, and teasing the audience was becoming a game. They'd already had an AlmostKiss earlier in the same movie. They wouldn't do a full-scale romantic kiss until ''Carefree'' in 1938.

* ProfessionalGambler: Lucky. In the opening scene, he insists there is no money in dancing and gambling is his true talent.
* SerenadeYourLover: Lucky sings "The Way You Look Tonight" to Penny while she washes her hair.
* ShoutOut: To the MarxBrothers and "Major Bowes' Amateur Hour" (a radio variety show) in "Never Gonna Dance."

[[caption-width-right:300:They did 47 takes of this number and worked until 10 p.m. Fred had to change his shirt six times, and Ginger's feet were bleeding by the time they finished. But it was WorthIt.]]

The audition is repeatedly delayed, first because Lucky can't procure the proper clothes in time and then because the bandleader's contract is in the hands of a a shady casino owner. Meanwhile, Lucky gambles his way to a large sum of money with the help of ten dollars borrowed from Penny's friend Mabel Anderson (Broderick). Penny [[BelligerentSexualTension alternates between being angry at Lucky and starting to develop feelings for him.]] Lucky finds himself falling for Penny as well, but their budding romance is stifled when he remembers his pledge to Margaret. When Pop reveals to a perplexed Penny the reason behind Lucky's aloofness, Penny again snubs her partner and, in spite of her love for him, [[OnTheRebound turns to]] [[RomanticFalseLead bandleader Ricky Romero,]] [[LoveTriangle who has been in love with her for some time.]]

* GoodLuckCharm: The lucky quarter.

[[caption-width-right:300:To finish this number, they did 47 takes and worked until 10 p.m. Fred had to change his shirt six times, and Ginger's feet were bleeding by the time they finished. But it was WorthIt.]]

John "Lucky" Garnett (Astaire), a featured troupe dancer and ProfessionalGambler, misses his wedding to wealthy hometown girl Margaret when his buddies play a trick on him. Margaret's father tells Lucky that he must earn $25,000 in order to demonstrate his good intentions if he wants another chance with her. With only the clothes on his back and his [[GoodLuckCharm lucky quarter]], Lucky hops a freight train for New York along with his friend "Pop" Cardetti (Moore), a stage magician.

The quarter leads them to meet Penny Carrol (Rogers) when Lucky asks her for change, but her initial politeness changes to anger when she thinks Lucky has stolen the quarter back from her purse. Wanting to explain, Lucky follows Penny to her job at a dancing academy and signs up for a free introductory lesson in order to get a chance to talk to her. He pretends to be hopelessly clumsy, leading the still-angry Penny to insult him in front of the academy's fussy owner. To save her job, Lucky insists on demonstrating what he has just "learned" and executes a complex routine with her. Impressed, the owner sets up an audition for them at an upscale nightclub.

The audition is repeatedly delayed, first because Lucky can't procure the proper clothes in time and then because the bandleader's contract is in the hands of a a shady casino owner. Meanwhile, Lucky gambles his way to a large sum of money with the help of ten dollars borrowed from Penny's friend Mabel (Broderick). Penny alternates between being angry at Lucky and starting to develop feelings for him. Lucky finds himself falling for Penny as well, but the dancers' budding romance is stifled when he remembers his pledge to Margaret. When Pop reveals to a perplexed Penny the reason behind Lucky's aloofness, Penny again snubs her partner and, in spite of her love for him, turns to bandleader Ricky Romero, [[LoveTriangle who has been in love with her for some time.]]

** For some reason, the costume and dance style in this number are more similar to another African American dancer, John Bubbles, who originated the role of Sportin' Life in ''Theatre/PorgyAndBess.'' Astaire admired Robinson and reportedly took some dance lessons from Bubbles, so the intent may have been a more general {{Homage}}.

* ProfessionalGambler: Lucky, at the beginning. He insists there is no money in dancing and gambling is his true talent.
* SerenadeYourLover: Lucky sings "The Way You Look Tonight" to Penny while she washes her hair.

A 1936 {{Musical}} film starring Creator/FredAstaire and Creator/GingerRogers, directed by George Stevens. Victor Moore and Helen Broderick play supporting roles, and the music is by Jerome Kern. Many critics feel that this movie has the most advanced dancing (particularly from Creator/GingerRogers) of the Astaire/Rogers musicals.

The quarter leads them to meet Penny Carrol (Rogers) when Lucky asks her for change, but her initial politeness changes to anger when she thinks Lucky has stolen the quarter from her purse. Wanting to apologize, Lucky follows Penny to her job at a dancing academy and signs up for a free introductory lesson in order to get a chance to talk to her. He pretends to be hopelessly clumsy, leading the still-angry Penny to insult him in front of the academy's fussy owner. To save her job, Lucky insists on demonstrating what he has just "learned" and executes a complex routine with her. Impressed, the owner sets up an audition for them at the Silver Sandal, an upscale nightclub.

The audition is delayed twice, first because Lucky can't procure the proper clothes in time and then because the bandleader's contract is in the hands of a Raymond, a shady casino owner. Meanwhile, Lucky gambles his way to a large sum of money with the help of ten dollars borrowed from Penny's friend Mabel (Broderick). Penny alternates between being angry at Lucky and starting to develop feelings for him.

Lucky wins the contract at cards with a little help from Pop, which does not please the bandleader, Ricky Romero, who is [[LoveTriangle in love with Penny.]] Against his wishes, Ricky plays for Penny and Lucky's triumphant audition, but the dancers' budding romance is stifled when Lucky remembers his pledge to Margaret. Although he has vowed to stop gambling and has insisted on a modest salary in order to avoid earning the now-dreaded $25,000, Lucky instructs Pop to keep him away from the tempting Penny. When Pop reveals to a perplexed Penny the reason behind Lucky's aloofness, Penny again snubs her partner and, in spite of her love for him, turns to Ricky.

At the Silver Sandal's grand re-opening, Lucky is surprised by the appearance of Margaret. Then Raymond demands that their earlier game be re-played with his pack of marked cards and wins back Ricky's contract, after which Penny tells Lucky that she and Ricky are engaged.

Thoroughly depressed, Lucky prepares to tell Margaret that he no longer wants to marry her, but she surprises him by revealing that she, too, has fallen in love with someone else. Minutes before Penny is to marry Ricky, Mabel tells her about Lucky's broken engagement, while Lucky and Pop conspire to delay Ricky using the same hoax that Lucky's friends used on him. In the end, Penny calls off the wedding and reunites with Lucky.

** For some reason, the costume and dance style in this number are more similar to another black dancer, John Bubbles, who originated the role of Sportin' Life in ''Theatre/PorgyAndBess.'' Astaire admired Robinson and reportedly took some dance lessons from Bubbles, so the intent may have been a more general {{Homage}}.

** The movie was originally going to be titlec ''Never Gonna Dance,'' which would have been a more straightforward example. That title was also used for the ScreenToStageAdaptation.

A 1936 {{Musical}} film starring Creator/FredAstaire and Creator/GingerRogers, directed by George Stevens. Victor Moore and Helen Broderick play supporting roles, and the music is by Jerome Kern.

The quarter leads them to meet Penny Carrol (Rogers) when Lucky asks her for change, but her initial politeness changes to anger when she thinks Lucky has stolen the quarter from her purse. Wanting to apologize, Lucky follows Penny to her job at a dancing academy and signs up for a free introductory lesson in order to get a chance to talk to her. He pretends to be hopelessly clumsy, leading the still-angry Penny to insult him in front of the academy's fussy owner. She is promptly fired, so to save her job, Lucky insists on demonstrating what he has just "learned" and executes a complex routine with her. Not only does he get Penny her job back, but the owner sets up an audition for them at the Silver Sandal, an upscale nightclub.

The audition is delayed twice, first because Lucky can't procure the proper clothes in time and then because the bandleader's contract is in the hands of a Raymond, a rival casino owner. Meanwhile, Lucky gambles his way to a large sum of money with the help of ten dollars borrowed from Penny's friend Mabel (Broderick). Penny alternates between being angry at Lucky and starting to respond to his charm, particularly when he [[SerenadeYourLover serenades her]] with "The Way You Look Tonight."

Seeing that Raymond intends to cheat when he offers to play Lucky for the bandleader's contract, Pop cheats as well, enabling Lucky to win. This does not please the bandleader, Ricky Romero, who is in love with Penny. Against his wishes, Ricky plays for Penny and Lucky's triumphant audition, but the dancers' budding romance is stifled when Lucky suddenly remembers his pledge to Margaret. Although he has vowed to stop gambling and has insisted on a modest salary in order to avoid earning the now-dreaded $25,000, Lucky instructs Pop to keep him away from the tempting Penny. When Pop reveals to a perplexed Penny the reason behind Lucky's aloofness, Penny again snubs her partner and, in spite of her love for him, turns to Ricky.

At the Silver Sandal's grand re-opening, Lucky is surprised by the appearance of Margaret and then is confronted by Raymond, who accuses Pop of cheating him out of Ricky's contract. Raymond demands that the game be re-played with his pack of marked cards and wins back the contract, after which Penny tells Lucky that she and Ricky are engaged. Thoroughly depressed, Lucky prepares to tell Margaret that he no longer wants to marry her, but she surprises him by revealing that she, too, has fallen in love with someone else. Minutes before Penny is to marry Ricky, Mabel tells her about Lucky's broken engagement, while Lucky and Pop conspire to delay Ricky using the same hoax that Lucky's friends used on him. In the end, Penny calls off the wedding and reunites with Lucky.

* ProfessionalGambler: Lucky, although he gives it up by the end.
* SerenadeYourLover: Lucky sings "The Way You Look Tonight" to Penny while she washes her hair.