BORN TO DANCE lives up to its title whenever ELEANOR POWELL gets a chance to put her tap shoes to work. Otherwise, it's a mildly entertaining MGM musical, given big production values and some glossy photography but missing on several counts.
Aside from the musical genius of Powell, JAMES STEWART is a strange choice for her romantic leading man when he has to warble the classic "Easy to Love", a Cole Porter classic. Fortunately, he's not asked to dance but, needless to say, it's a lackluster rendition of a great song.
The other numbers are handled competently but again there are distractions. BUDDY EBSEN is a great dancer but his singing voice is minimal for vocalizing. VIRGINIA BRUCE gets through a couple of songs with her modest talent but again, neither performer is capable of putting over Cole Porter standards.
The story is that of a girl aspiring to be a Broadway singer/dancer, and it's tailor-made for the bubbly, energetic Powell who rescues the plot from being completely banal by her mere presence. SID SILVERS is amusing enough in a minor role, as is REGINALD GARDINER, but clearly the film belongs to Powell whenever she goes into her dance.
Directed by the reliable Roy Del Ruth, it's pleasant enough but clearly a product of its time.
Aside from the musical genius of Powell, JAMES STEWART is a strange choice for her romantic leading man when he has to warble the classic "Easy to Love", a Cole Porter classic. Fortunately, he's not asked to dance but, needless to say, it's a lackluster rendition of a great song.
The other numbers are handled competently but again there are distractions. BUDDY EBSEN is a great dancer but his singing voice is minimal for vocalizing. VIRGINIA BRUCE gets through a couple of songs with her modest talent but again, neither performer is capable of putting over Cole Porter standards.
The story is that of a girl aspiring to be a Broadway singer/dancer, and it's tailor-made for the bubbly, energetic Powell who rescues the plot from being completely banal by her mere presence. SID SILVERS is amusing enough in a minor role, as is REGINALD GARDINER, but clearly the film belongs to Powell whenever she goes into her dance.
Directed by the reliable Roy Del Ruth, it's pleasant enough but clearly a product of its time.