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Dance, Little Lady
Dance, Little Lady
	UK theatrical poster
Directed by	Val Guest
Written by	Val Guest; Doreen Montgomery
Story by	R. Howard Alexander ; Alfred Dunning
Produced by	George Minter
Starring	Terence Morgan; Mai Zetterling; Guy Rolfe; Mandy Miller
Cinematography	Wilkie Cooper
Edited by	John Pomeroy
Music by	Ronald Binge
Production; company	Alderdale Films
Distributed by	Renown Pictures
Release date	13 July 1954;
Running time	87 minutes
Country	United Kingdom
Language	English
Budget	£76,669

Dance, Little Lady is a 1954 British drama film directed by Val Guest and starring Terence Morgan, Mai Zetterling, Guy Rolfe and Mandy Miller.^[2]^[3] The screenplay was by Guest and Doreen Montgomery from a story by R. Howard Alexander and Alfred Dunning.

The film was made by independent producer George Minter and distributed by his Renown Pictures.^[4]

Plot

Prima ballerina Nina Gordon is being financially exploited by her husband Mark. On the night of her triumphant Royal Opera House debut, she discovers he is also being unfaithful. Distraught, she leaves the party they were attending. However, Mark pulls up in their car and she gets in and he drives off at speed into the night. There is a car crash and Nina's leg is badly broken.

Learning that she'll never dance again, Nina is abandoned by Mark. But with the help of a sympathetic doctor, Nina recovers the use of her legs, and begins to live her life vicariously through her talented daughter. When Mark reenters Nina's life, intending to take control of the daughter's dancing career, he finds the tables are turned on him.

Cast

Terence Morgan as Mark Gordon
Mai Zetterling as Nina Gordon
Guy Rolfe as Dr. John Ransome
Mandy Miller as Jill Gordon
Eunice Gayson as Adele
Reginald Beckwith as Poldi
Ina De La Haye as Mme. Bayanova
Harold Lang as Mr. Bridson
Lisa Gastoni as Amaryllis
Jane Aird as Mary
David Poole as dancer
Maryon Lane as dancer
Richard O'Sullivan as Peter
William Kendall as Mr. Matthews
Joan Hickson as Mrs. Matthews
Alexander Gauge as Joseph Miller
Vera Day as Gladys
Gabrielle Blunt as switchboard operator
Marianne Stone as nurse
Helen Goss as neighbour
Joan Benham as nurse
Molly Lumley as dresser
Jane Asher as child
Ronald Dorey as fire engine driver

Production

The film was shot in Eastmancolor at the Walton Studios near London. The sets were designed by the art director Frederick Pusey.

Reception

Box office

According to Kinematograph Weekly the film was a "money maker" at the British box office in 1954.^[5]

Critical

The Monthly Film Bulletin wrote: "This film gives the appearance of having been rather carelessly made. The plot and dialogue are full of clichés; improbabilities and contradictions abound. As a ballet film it is unsatisfying; the short glimpses of Giselle (danced by David Poole and Maryon Lane) are very brief. The excessive sentiment is reflected in the musical score. Terence Morgan is quite unconvincing as the irresponsible husband; Mai Zetterling and Mandy Miller are efficient. Guy Rolfe alone gives a really creditable performance. The colour (by Eastman Color) is good."^[6]

Kinematograph Weekly wrote: "The picture wears its heart on its sleeve and its lack of pretence commends it to all classes. ...Val Guest's treatment is as competent as the acting. "^[7]

The Radio Times wrote, "the dance sequences are fine, but the poor production values ruin the look of the film".^[8]

TV Guide called it "a trite film".^[9]

Sky Movies wrote, "Terence Morgan makes the best impression, as a sponger as smooth as he is nasty, in this ballet-orientated story, tailored to the talents of Britain's then screen wonder child, Mandy Miller. It bases its appeal on a blend of small-girl sentiment, highly coloured melodramatics and ballet (the dance ensembles are very well done). Mai Zetterling and Guy Rolfe provide rather limp support to Mandy's undeniable charm, but the story's fiery climax is most effective."^[10]

References

^ Chapman, J. (2022). The Money Behind the Screen: A History of British Film Finance, 1945-1985. Edinburgh University Press p 358
^ "Dance Little Lady". British Film Institute. Retrieved 2 June 2024.
^ "Dance Little Lady". British Film Institute. Archived from the original on 15 January 2009.
^ Fowler, Roy (1988). "Interview with Val Guest". British Entertainment History Project.
^ Billings, Josh (16 December 1954). "Other monkey makers". Kinematograph Weekly. p. 9.
^ "Dance Little Lady". The Monthly Film Bulletin. 21 (240): 120. 1 January 1954 – via ProQuest.
^ "Dance Little Lady". Kine Weekly. 448 (2453): 22. 1 July 1954 – via ProQuest.
^ David Parkinson. "Dance Little Lady". RadioTimes.
^ "Dance Little Lady". TV Guide.
^ "Dance Little Lady". Find and Watch.