Is Dance, Girl, Dance Worth Watching?
Answer: Yes, Dance, Girl, Dance is definitely worth watching if you enjoy Drama movies.
It features a runtime of 90 minutes and offers a standard storyline that appeals to general audiences.
Dance, Girl, Dance Review
Last updated: January 18, 2026
Detailed Premise & Narrative Foundations
Released in the dynamic cinematic landscape of 1940, Dance, Girl, Dance emerges as a significant entry in the Drama, Comedy, Romance domain. The narrative core of the film focuses on a sophisticated exploration of Judy O'Brien is an aspiring ballerina in a dance troupe. Unlike standard genre fare, Dance, Girl, Dance attempts to deconstruct traditional tropes, offering a conventional take on its central themes.
Cast Performances: A Masterclass
The success of any Drama is often anchored by its ensemble, and Dance, Girl, Dance features a noteworthy lineup led by Maureen O'Hara . Supported by the likes of Louis Hayward and Lucille Ball , the performances bring a palpable realism to the scripted words.
Performance Analysis: While the cast delivers competent and professional performances, they are occasionally hampered by a script that leans into familiar archetypes.
Final Verdict: Is it Worth Watching?
In summary, our editorial assessment of Dance, Girl, Dance (1940) is mixed. With an audience rating of 6.4/10, it stands as a highly recommended experience for genre enthusiasts.
Dance, Girl, Dance Plot Summary & Detailed Storyline
Quick Plot Summary: Dance, Girl, Dance is a Drama, Comedy, Romance film that explores complex human emotions and relationships through nuanced character development. This summary provides a scannable look at the movie's central conflict and narrative structure.
Dance, Girl, Dance Ending Explained & Final Analysis
Ending Breakdown: Dance, Girl, Dance concludes its story with a mix of closure and open interpretation. The finale presents its approach to drama resolution.
The emotional climax centers on character transformation, offering viewers material for post-viewing discussion.
Ending Analysis:
- Narrative Resolution: The story concludes by addressing its primary narrative threads, providing closure while maintaining some ambiguity.
- Character Arcs: Character journeys reach their narrative endpoints, reflecting the film's thematic priorities.
- Thematic Payoff: The ending reinforces the drama themes established throughout the runtime.
The final moments of Dance, Girl, Dance reflect the filmmakers' creative choices, offering an ending that aligns with the film's tone and style.
Who Should Watch Dance, Girl, Dance?
Worth Watching If You:
- Enjoy Drama films and don't mind familiar tropes
- Are a fan of the cast or director
- Want a character-driven story with emotional moments
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Full Cast & Crew of Dance, Girl, Dance
- Maureen O'Hara – Judy O'Brien
- Louis Hayward – Jimmy Harris
- Lucille Ball – Bubbles
- Virginia Field – Elinor Harris
- Ralph Bellamy – Steve Adams
Top Highlights
Maureen O'HaraJudy O'Brien
Louis HaywardJimmy Harris
Lucille BallBubbles
Virginia FieldElinor Harris
Ralph BellamySteve Adams
Maria OuspenskayaMadame Basilova
Mary CarlisleSally
Katharine AlexanderMiss Olmstead
Edward BrophyDwarfie
Walter AbelJudge
Where to Watch Dance, Girl, Dance Online?
Streaming Hub📺 Stream on
Criterion Channel🎟️ Rent on
Amazon Video
Apple TV
Google Play Movies
YouTube
Fandango At Home🏷️ Buy on
Amazon VideoApple TVGoogle Play MoviesYouTubeFandango At HomeParents Guide & Age Rating
Dance, Girl, Dance is rated NR. Parents should be aware that it contains romantic content.
Final Verdict
Analyzing the audience sentiment, IMDb rating of 6.4/10, and global collection metrics, Dance, Girl, Dance stands as a challenging project for the creators. It remains an essential piece of the 1940 cinematic year.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Dance, Girl, Dance movie hit or flop?
Dance, Girl, Dance has received mixed reviews with a 6.4/10 rating, making it a moderate success with the audience.
Is Dance, Girl, Dance worth watching?
Dance, Girl, Dance is a mixed bag. It might be worth watching if you're a fan of Drama, Comedy, Romance movies, but read reviews first.
Where can I watch Dance, Girl, Dance online?
Dance, Girl, Dance is currently available for streaming on Criterion Channel. You can also check for it on platforms like Criterion Channel depending on your region.
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Critic Reviews for Dance, Girl, Dance
A really fun film that I found in my Maureen O'Hara TCM 4-pack that I highly recommend if you enjoy films from that era. I like the two films I've seen so far from Arzner, who was one of the earliest and most successful of female directors and I believe the first openly lesbian one--the other work I've seen of hers is the great pre-Code look at alcoholism, 'Merrily We Go to Hell'. This is great if you either like musicals from the era, are a Maureen O'Hara or Lucille Ball enthusiast (holy, she was unbelievably a knockout in her early filmic days!) or are simply curious about the works of early female and/or lesbian directors. Arzner--at least in the two films I have seen from her thus far--showed she truly deserved to be successful in the industry.
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This analysis is compiled by our editorial experts using multi-source verification and audience sentiment data for maximum accuracy.
