A forerunner of "The Band Wagon", "Dancing In The Dark" is a flop. It is strictly for die-hard Wm. Powell fans, for whom their idol can do no wrong. This potboiler of a picture does a lot of wrong, however, and lacks the charm and vitality of its descendant.
Sorely missed is the terrific score of Schwartz & Dietz and the songs that are included are mishandled. The storyline plods along as though the screenwriters struggled to stay awake. The picture is further sabotaged by the boy/girl leads, who are 'B' actors and lack charisma and glamor. Mark Stevens is colorless and Betsy Drake is a wallflower and detract from the overall effectiveness of the story.
The only reason to watch it is for the always dapper and magnetic William Powell who carries the film, such as it is, and does the best he can in a thankless part. Adolph Menjou, Walter Catlett and other veteran character actors are on hand to lend whatever help they can give but the cause is a lost one.
This is a picture to watch if you are sick in bed. Put the remote on top of the TV, and you will feel so much better when you get up to change the channel.
