Dancers in the Dark
Cast & Crew
David Burton
Miriam Hopkins
Jack Oakie
William Collier Jr.
Eugene Pallette
Lyda Roberti
Film Details
Technical Specs
Synopsis
Band leader Duke Taylor is intent on preventing the marriage of Floyd, his best friend and saxophonist, to taxi dancer Gloria, because he thinks Floyd is too good for her. Duke convinces the dance hall manager, Max, to fire Floyd, and then talks Floyd into taking a job in Pittsburgh. Gloria and Floyd continue to communicate despite their separation, while Gloria, determined to finally have a successful relationship, fends off the attentions of gangster Louie, her old flame. During the winter holiday season, Duke and Gloria become friends and spend all their free time together. Having once been romantically involved with Gloria, Duke again falls in love with her, but she remains steadfast in her loyalty to Floyd. In the meantime, Louie and Benny, the cigarette girl's brother, rob a local jeweler and kill him. Shortly before Floyd's return, Duke becomes drunk, and all the band members suspect that he and Gloria are having an affair. Floyd arrives early and catches Duke and Gloria in an innocent embrace. Unwilling to believe their innocence, Floyd breaks off his engagement, and a distraught Gloria agrees to travel to Mexico with Louie. Policemen arrive at the dance hall to arrest Louie, but he eludes them while holding Duke at gunpoint. Duke cleverly orders the band to play "St. Louis Blues," Louie's favorite song, in order to alert the police to Louie's presence. When Duke tries to escape, Louie shoots him and then climbs out on a ledge and falls to his death. From his stretcher, Duke reassures Floyd as to Gloria's virtue, and the couple are reunited. The police captain in turn reassures Duke that he will survive his injury, and he smiles as the hour strikes midnight on New Year's Eve.
Director
David Burton
Cast
Miriam Hopkins
Jack Oakie
William Collier Jr.
Eugene Pallette
Lyda Roberti
George Raft
Maurice Black
Dewitt Jennings
Paul Fix
Walter Hiers
Frances Moffett
Alberta Vaughn
George Bickel
Marty Brill
Jack Elder
Crew
George Clemens
J. A. Goodrich
W. C. Handy
William James Knott
Charles Leahy
Bert Longworth
Herman J. Mankiewicz
Brian Marlow
Ralph Rainger
Howard Emmett Rogers
Fleet Southcott
Karl Struss
Film Details
Technical Specs
Quotes
Trivia
Notes
The working titles of this film were Jazz King and Dance Palace. Lyda Roberti made her feature film debut in this picture. According to a news item in Film Daily, Charles Buddy Rogers was considered for the lead role. According to pre-release news items, William Halligan, Caryl Lincoln, Sam Bricker and Eduardo Durant and his orchestra were to appear in the film. Their participation in the film has not been confirmed. A modern source includes Duke Ellington and Adelaide Hall in the cast.
