Bolero

Bolero

Year: 1934

Runtime: 85 mins

Language: English

Director: Wesley Ruggles

Drama

He rose to fame on a ladder of dancing ladies! The complicated relationship between an ambitious, ruthless nightclub dancer and the woman he loves.

Warning: spoilers below!

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Timeline & Setting – Bolero (1934)

Explore the full timeline and setting of Bolero (1934). Follow every major event in chronological order and see how the environment shapes the story, characters, and dramatic tension.

Time period

1910s, World War I era

The narrative begins in 1910s New York and follows Raoul’s rise through European venues, then shifts to the onset of World War I. Performances are interrupted by the war, with Raoul and Mike serving in the military and facing injury. The postwar period brings a renewed pursuit of fame, culminating in the tragedy of Raoul’s final performance.

Location

New York, Paris, New Jersey, Belgium, England

The action travels from early 1910s New York and New Jersey nightclub scenes to the vibrant dance culture of Paris. Paris serves as the central stage for Raoul’s ambitions, where his nightclub and Boléro-inspired routines come to life. The story also visits Belgium and England during touring periods, highlighting a cosmopolitan world of performers before and during World War I.

🗽 New York 🗼 Paris 🗺 Europe 🎶 Nightlife

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 15:30

Main Characters – Bolero (1934)

Meet the key characters of Bolero (1934), with detailed profiles, motivations, and roles in the plot. Understand their emotional journeys and what they reveal about the film’s deeper themes.

Raoul De Baere

A coal miner who longs to be a dancer, Raoul pursues stardom across America and Europe. He partners with Lucy, moves to Paris, and forms collaborations that push him toward his nightclub dream, even as personal ties threaten to derail him. His dedication to performance is matched by a stubborn avoidance of romance when it interferes with work, until war and fate push him to the limit.

🔥 Ambition 💃 Dancer ⚔️ Warrior 🏛 Tragic

Helen Hathaway

A former Ziegfeld chorus girl who teams with Raoul and becomes a central romantic and professional ally. She demands professionalism and boundaries, yet their chemistry fuels their onstage success. Her later choices—balancing affairs, nursing during the war, and marrying Coray—reflect the complexities of ambition and love.

💃 Dancer 💔 Romance 🎖️ Duty

Mike DeBaere

Raoul's brother and manager who navigates dance partnerships with Leona and supports Raoul's ambitions. He becomes entangled in Leona's jealousy and wage demands, adding familial tension to the pursuit of a major break in Europe.

👔 Manager 🗡️ Loyalty 💘 Romance

Leona

An ambitious performer whose jealousy and wage demands threaten Raoul's arrangements. Her tension with Mike creates a tangled love dynamic that shifts the course of Raoul's collaborations.

💔 Jealousy 💃 Dancer

Annette

A fan dancer who wants to team with Raoul and appears in the Belgium and Paris settings; she hints at Coray's interest in Helen and serves as a catalyst in the finale.

💃 Dancer 🎭 Stage 🥂 Glamour

Lucy

Raoul's initial dance partner in New Jersey; she is attracted to Raoul but he prioritizes his career over romance. The partnership helps spark his early success and introduces the dynamic between love and work.

💃 Partner 🪶 Attraction

Lord Coray

An aristocratic suitor who is romantically interested in Helen; his presence adds tension to the romantic and professional dynamics surrounding Raoul and Helen's partnership.

🤵 Aristocrat 💘 Interest

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 15:30

Major Themes – Bolero (1934)

Explore the central themes of Bolero (1934), from psychological, social, and emotional dimensions to philosophical messages. Understand what the film is really saying beneath the surface.

🎭 Ambition

Raoul’s dream of leaving mining behind to become a dancer drives the plot, pushing him across continents. His partnerships and moves are built on a belief that success is possible beyond the coal mines. The pursuit of artistic glory tests loyalties and demands sacrifices.

❤️ Romance & Jealousy

Romantic entanglements collide with professional collaborations as Raoul navigates love interests with Lucy, Leona, and Helen. Jealousies and rivalries threaten partnerships and alter career trajectories. Personal relationships continually reshape his path to success.

🪖 War & Duty

World War I interrupts the glittering dance world, forcing Raoul and Mike into military service. The war brings danger, injury, and a redefinition of what counts as achievement. Duty and sacrifice shadow the pursuit of art and fame.

🎶 Performance & Sacrifice

Raoul crafts a Boléro-inspired finale that tests his physical limits and becomes a symbol of resilience. The show’s grandeur collides with personal cost, culminating in a fatal collapse that underscores the price of artistic ambition.

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 15:30

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Unlock the Full Story of Bolero

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Bolero Summary

Read a complete plot summary of Bolero, including all key story points, character arcs, and turning points. This in-depth recap is ideal for understanding the narrative structure or reviewing what happened in the movie.

Bolero Summary

Bolero Timeline

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Bolero Timeline

More About Bolero

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