Watch Dance Little Lady
- Approved
- 1955
- 1 hr 27 min
-
5.1 (80)
Dance Little Lady is a 1954 British drama film directed by Val Guest based on a stage play by Vernon Sylvaine. The movie stars Terence Morgan, Mai Zetterling, and Guy Rolfe. Set in London, the story revolves around a talented teenage dancer who dreams of becoming a professional ballerina. The film opens with a shot of Judy (Mai Zetterling) dancing in her bedroom, lost in the rhythm and movement of her body. Her father, Joe (Terence Morgan), a boxer-turned-cab driver, watches her with a mix of admiration and concern. Judy is a gifted dancer, and Joe knows that she needs to hone her skills if she wants to make it to the top.
Judy's mother, Marge (Kathleen Harrison), is less supportive of her daughter's passion. She wants Judy to focus on finding a stable job, like working at a department store, and settle down with a nice man. But Judy's heart is set on dance, and she convinces Joe to take her to auditions whenever he can.
At one of these auditions, Judy catches the eye of a wealthy businessman named Johns (Guy Rolfe). He runs a prestigious ballet company and offers Judy a place in the company if she agrees to become his mistress. Judy is disgusted by the offer but also tempted by the chance to pursue her dreams.
Meanwhile, Joe tries to find a way to finance Judy's training. He hopes that his old boxing training partner, Harry (Charles Victor), will lend him the money, but Harry turns him down. Desperate, Joe decides to steal from one of his regular cab customers, a wealthy socialite named Lady Richard (Marie Lohr). He gets caught, and Lady Richard threatens to press charges unless he takes Judy out of the ballet company.
Joe is torn between his loyalty to Judy and his fear of going to jail. He tries to convince her that she should quit the ballet and find another career, but Judy refuses to give up her dream. She finally learns about the theft and confronts her father. He admits his mistake and tells her that he will turn himself in to the police.
In the end, Judy gets her big break when the ballet company's star dancer injures herself. Johns offers her the lead role in their new production. Judy gives a stunning performance, and her father watches from the audience, proud of his daughter's accomplishments.
Dance Little Lady is a charming and heartwarming film that showcases the talents of its lead actors. Mai Zetterling is captivating as the feisty and determined Judy, and Terence Morgan brings depth and nuance to his role as the conflicted Joe. Guy Rolfe is suitably slimy as the predatory Johns, and Kathleen Harrison provides comic relief as the nosy and overbearing Marge.
The film's depiction of the ballet world is also noteworthy for its accuracy and attention to detail. The dance sequences are beautifully choreographed and shot, and the film captures the intensity and discipline required to succeed in the world of ballet.
Overall, Dance Little Lady is a must-see for fans of classic British cinema, and a touching tribute to the power of dreams and the importance of family.
Dance Little Lady is a 1955 drama with a runtime of 1 hour and 27 minutes. It has received moderate reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 5.1.