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Fred Astaire, Ginger Rogers, Edward Everett Horton, Eric Blore, Jerome Cowan ... see more see more... , Ketti Gallian , William Brisbane , Ann Shoemaker , Harriet Hoctor , Norman Ainsley , Ben Alexander , Sherwood Bailey , Harry Bowen , William Burress , Charles Coleman , Jean De Briac , Dudley Dickerson , Pauline Garon , Helena Grant , Sam Hayes , Charles Irwin , Tiny Jones , J.M. Kerrigan , George Magrill , Alphonse Martell , Torben Meyer , Frank Moran , Mantan Moreland , Henry Mowbray , Leonard Mudie , Vesey O'Davoren , Jack Rice , Matty Roubert , Rolfe Sedan , Pete Theodore , Richard Tucker , Marek Windheim , Emma Young , Spencer Teakle , Douglas Gordon , Sam Wren

The seventh of RKO's Fred Astaire--Ginger Rogers musicals, Shall We Dance casts Astaire as a world-renowned ballet dancer and Rogers as a musical comedy headliner. Rogers' manager Jerome Cowan concoct... read more read more...s a phony romance between his client and Astaire in order to garner publicity for them both. Eventually, of course, the twosome falls in love for real, but not before a cornucopia of confusion, complications and misunderstandings. Highlights include a number performed on roller skates and Astaire's dance solo in the art-deco boiler room of an ocean liner. The George and Ira Gershwin score (their last for Astaire and Rogers) includes "Slap That Bass," "Beginner's Luck," "Let's Call the Whole Thing Off," "They All Laughed," "They Can't Take That Away From Me," and the title number. Shall We Dance was slated as the last of the Fred-and-Ginger romps, but within a year they were together again in Carefree. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

Flixster Users

79% liked it

8,597 ratings

Critics

86% liked it

7 critics

Unrated, 1 hr. 49 min.

Directed by: Mark Sandrich

Release Date: May 7, 1937

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DVD Release Date: August 16, 2005

Stats: 311 reviews

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Flixster Reviews (311)

  • jennifxu
    April 28, 2011
    jennifxu
    It was a great move to have Astaire be a ballet instructor in the script, because his style is so ballet it's ridiculous. Their duets are so, so magical I never want the film to end. And they work together incredibly well, too - the dog walking scene is just adorable.
  • FrizzDrop
    December 29, 2010
    FrizzDrop
    Some of the greatest plot twists of the day; the hairbrained comedy and always great sidekick Edward Everett Horton brought down the house. Including the music of the always idolized Gershwins and a number on rollerskates that was to die for, this is by far one of the better Rog... read moreers/Astaire teamings.
  • ajv2688
    September 18, 2010
    ajv2688
    This movie is funny and has a good number of stars. I don't really care for all the dance numbers, but if you like Fred and Ginger you will like this movie.
  • ScoopOnline
    August 13, 2010
    ScoopOnline
    A very nice Musical.
  • binky013
    February 9, 2009
    binky013
    Astaire and Rogers: Is there a better movie dance team? Gene Kelly with a Cyd Charisse is a close second, but with Rogers and Astaire we have the closest thing to a match made in heaven as I can imagine. Tough to decide between Astaire and Kelly which one is the overall better... read more individual stylist -- their styles are so different -- but Astaire and Rogers have to be the seemingly effortless duo of all time. They transcend the real world every time they perform.
  • thirdway821
    April 2, 2012
    thirdway821
    Fred Astaire--Ginger Rogers musicals, Shall We Dance casts Astaire as a world-renowned ballet dancer and Rogers as a musical comedy headliner. Rogers' manager Jerome Cowan concocts a phony romance between his client and Astaire in order to garner publicity for them both. Eventual... read morely, of course, the twosome falls in love for real, but not before a cornucopia of confusion, complications and misunderstandings. Highlights include a number performed on roller skates and Astaire's dance solo in the art-deco boiler room of an ocean liner.

    Not as good as "The Gay Divorcee" but has it's moments mixing comedy, humour and dance styles. Astaire and Rogers are a good fit together even when they don't want to be partnered with one another.
  • HorrorMovieCinema
    August 30, 2009
    HorrorMovieCinema
    Fun Astaire-Rogers musical, directed by Mark Sandrich with a Gershwin songbook. This confection has the usual slight plot of the team's films, but the musical numbers and the charisma of the two stars more than make up for the implausibilities. The supporting players Eric Blore a... read morend Edward Everett Horton are a hoot as ever. My favourite number was the classic "Let's Call The Whole Thing Off", which is concluded by Fred and Ginger doing their famous roller skate dance. While it is great entertainment, it is overlong and pales in comparison to "Swing Time" and the wonderful, wonderful "Top Hat".
  • jam233
    June 22, 2009
    jam233
    Brilliant Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers movie. It's fun, as they all are with exceptional dancing and choreography. And as with all their films, the supporting cast is outstanding. A classic joy from start to finish.
  • kuhlmawi
    March 26, 2009
    kuhlmawi
    The dancing, the style, Ginger and Fred, the "campy" book, the sets (art decco), the costumes, are all to die for. If you want to see a CLASSIC - this one's for you. Ginger and Fred at their PEAK.
  • placeinthesun455
    June 28, 2008
    placeinthesun455
    this one seemed a little off to me. still a great musical comedy romp with some impeccable dancing--on roller skates even, but the humour just didn't seem as sharp as it could have been. characters and their relationships also seemed a little less-than-average. great as this mo... read morevie was, i think it could have been just a bit tighter.

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Critic Reviews

Gabe Leibowitz
October 13, 2011
Gabe Leibowitz, Film and Felt

It's about innuendo and devious plots (though, of course, the stories are always essentially backdrops to showcasing the Astaire-and-Rogers show), and while it has plenty of amusing moments and some g... Full Review

Emanuel Levy
June 16, 2011
Emanuel Levy, EmanuelLevy.Com

Made at the height of popularity of Astaire and Rogers, this elegant musical boasts glorious score from the Gershwins, including the songThey Can't Take That away From Me, which was nominated for an O... Full Review

Dennis Schwartz
December 31, 2007
Dennis Schwartz, Ozus' World Movie Reviews

When viewed today it fares much better critically as a stylish and sophisticated musical comedy from the Art Deco era. Full Review

Rory L. Aronsky
August 29, 2006
Rory L. Aronsky, Film Threat

...the plot is what makes this Astaire/Rogers pairing frustrating, the dances slightly undercut by that. Full Review

Ken Hanke
May 24, 2006
Ken Hanke, Mountain Xpress (Asheville, NC)

Not their best, but still a treat.

Bob Bloom
February 23, 2006
Bob Bloom, Journal and Courier (Lafayette, IN)

One of the best Astaire-Rogers musicals with great music and dance.

March 26, 2009
Variety

Click to read the article Full Review

Janet Maslin
September 3, 2005
Janet Maslin, New York Times

Click to read the article Full Review

Susan Granger
March 22, 2007
Susan Granger, www.susangranger.com

No review available.

Derek Adams
June 24, 2006
Derek Adams, Time Out

Click to read the article Full Review

Critic ratings and reviews powered by RottenTomatoes.com

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Shall We Dance Trivia

  • In the movie Shall We Dance?, what did the sign read that was hanging over the window outside of the studio that Richard Gere's character saw from the train?  Answer »
  • name the actress/singer that was in the movie "shall we dance" ?  Answer »
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