Product Details

• Actors: Eleanor Powell, James Stewart, Virginia Bruce, Una Merkel, Sid Silvers
• Directors: Roy Del Ruth
• Writers: Sid Silvers, Buddy G. DeSylva, Jack McGowan
• Producers: Jack Cummings
• Format: Black & White, NTSC
• Rated: NR (Not Rated)
• Number of tapes: 1
• Studio: MGM (Warner)
• VHS Release Date: February 23, 1995
• Run Time: 106 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (13 customer reviews)
• ASIN: 6301967526
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #139,798 in Movies & TV (See Top 100 in Movies & TV)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

34 of 35 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars One of the Great Musicals of the 1930s, July 2, 2002

By 

Gary F. Taylor "GFT" (Biloxi, MS USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)    (TOP 100 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Born to Dance [VHS] (VHS Tape)

If ever a person was truly "born to dance," it was Eleanor Powell--the first of MGM's great dancing stars and a performer still considered by many to be the single finest tap dancer to emerge from Hollywood. And with the 1936 film BORN TO DANCE, MGM offered Powell the single finest film of her entire career. Although extremely lightweight, the story of three sailors and their romantic complications has a very playful tone and witty script--which forms the perfect frame for a memorable score by the celebrated Cole Porter. The musical numbers are staged with a more subtle flash than one normally finds in 1930s musicals, and there are several complex ensemble numbers and the memorable "Easy to Love" and "I've Got You Under My Skin."

Not only was Powell a greatly gifted dancer, she was a clever commedian with a pleasing singing voice, and her playful performing style is particularly charming in such numbers as "Rap-Tap on Wood" and "Swinging the Jinx Away." Her leading man, somewhat surprisingly, is none other than James Stewart--and although he wasn't really a singer or a dancer he does extremely well with both, and he and Powell make a very entertaining couple. The entire cast is their equal, with Phil Silvers and Una Merkle amusing as bickering lovers, Buddy Ebsen demonstrating his remarkable talents as both eccentric dancer and clever comic, and Virginia Bruce the perfect femme fatale. Everything about the film sparkes and shines, right down from the sets to the polished performances. If you enjoy classic musicals of the 1930s, BORN TO DANCE is a must have! Strongly recommended.

15 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Musical, September 9, 2003

By 

ChihuahuaMom (Issaquah, WA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Born to Dance [VHS] (VHS Tape)

This was a great film. Yes, the story is a little corny, but it was from the 30's and times were different, and who cares anyway? Eleanor Powell is great in this film and her dancing is amazing. I lost track of how many turns she managed in the final scenes - they were awe inspiring. I wish that Eleanor and Gene Kelly had made a musical together because I know it would've been terrific. Both James Stewart and Buddy Ebsen were adorable when they were young. Buddy's style was pretty amusing and I enjoyed watching him dance. This film was a real treat and I would watch it again any time!!!

14 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars BORN TO DANCE, October 15, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: Born to Dance [VHS] (VHS Tape)

James Stewart is a wonderful actor. After watching this movie with him and Eleanor Powell I found him to be a very good dancer and singer. He has a wonderful voice. It is a great all around good movie. Also, have to give credit to a young Buddy Ebson and the whole cast. It didn't surprise me to hear James Stewart sing, because I have collected a lot of his movies and found that there isn't to much that this man can not do. If you want a great entertaining old movie without the special effects they use nowadays then this is the movie I would HIGHLY recommend. If a movie has James Stewart in it then it is worth having!!!