You are here:

Dime a Dance

Name: Dime a Dance
Director: Al Christie
Released: 1937
Duration: 18 min

No Poster Available

Representation Score

1.1/10

Minimal

1937

Approved

Director

Al Christie

Runtime

18 minutes

Average Rating

No ratings yet

New Showbiz Analysis

Dime a Dance is a classic product of its time, relying heavily on the comedic clichés and social hierarchies prevalent in 1937. Although the female leads are the main drivers of the action, their motivations are rooted in traditional gender expectations surrounding male approval. The film fails to offer any meaningful representation of LGBTQ+ identities or racial diversity, adhering closely to the mainstream standards of the period. It serves as a straightforward genre piece without challenging or subverting established social norms. Ultimately, the comedy arises from physical misunderstandings rather than narrative intricacy or layered character development. It upholds the societal norms of the 1930s through its casting and thematic focus.

Watch this, not that →

Category Breakdown

Does Dime a Dance have LGBTQ+ representation?

Minimal

The film does not include any LGBTQ+ characters or representations of non-straight relationships. The story revolves around women seeking male approval, reinforcing the traditional gender norms of the 1930s.

How does Dime a Dance portray gender?

Limited

Women play key roles in driving the plot, but the humor often stems from undermining traditional femininity through physical comedy. The main motivations remain focused on attracting male attention.

How racially and ethnically diverse is Dime a Dance?

Minimal

The cast seems to mirror the homogeneous, Anglo-Saxon casting practices of the era. There are no characters of color with significant roles.

How does Dime a Dance represent religion and culture?

Limited

The story unfolds within a typical service industry setting. It lacks any anti-Western or secular themes, serving primarily as light-hearted entertainment.

Does Dime a Dance include disability representation?

Minimal

There are no characters with visible or invisible disabilities mentioned in the story.

Present on Screen

June Allyson and Imogene Coca play pivotal roles in propelling the plot forward.

Limited or Absent

The narrative emphasizes traditional gender roles by focusing female motivations on male attention.
The film lacks racial diversity and non-straight representations.
The story depends on conventional social roles and lacks layered character development.

Official Synopsis

June Allyson is a cashier in a dance hall and her friend Imogene Coca wants to get a job there as a dance hostess. June advises her she needs to first make herself attractive to men,and gives her a book on the subject. But Imogene, by mistake, picks up the wrong book and reads one on the art of jiu-jitsu. Imogene's first customer is a bashful sailor who gets turned every which way but loose. Hank Henry also appears as a sailor. All four performers had better things ahead of them although,in the case of comedian Hank Henry, not by much.

How are these scores produced? →