Shall We Dance

Classical ballet meets tap: Petrov (Astaire), a pretend Russian ballet dancer who enjoys great popularity, meets Linda Keene (Rogers),  a successful singer and tap dancer. Their first encounter (Petrov greets those present with a rendition of “Ochi chorniye”) leaves Linda highly irritated and Petrov in love. An all but coincidental transatlantic crossing helps to break the ice, until rumors and false reports lead to a forced flash wedding and divorce in record time. All the stations of love and entanglements are commented by brilliant songs (by George Gershwin) and dance numbers of various styles, for example “Let’s Call the Whole Thing Off”. (mg)