Shall We Dance

Shall We Dance

Year: 1937

Runtime: 109 mins

Language: English

Director: Mark Sandrich

RomanceComedySong and danceDazzling vocal performances and musicalsCatchy songs and hilarious musical comedy

Foot‑free Fred and his exuberant partner Ginger star in their brightest, most cheerful production. Ballet virtuoso Petrov books a berth on the same transatlantic liner as the dancer‑singer he’s fallen for, though they barely know each other. When the ship reaches New York, a harmless white lie spreads, sparking rumors that the two celebrities are secretly married.

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Timeline & Setting – Shall We Dance (1937)

Explore the full timeline and setting of Shall We Dance (1937). Follow every major event in chronological order and see how the environment shapes the story, characters, and dramatic tension.

Time period

Location

Paris, Atlantic Ocean liner, New York

The story moves from a Paris ballet company to the social whirl aboard an Atlantic ocean liner en route to New York. It then pivots to Broadway-style venues in New York as the publicity machine spirals around Petrov and Linda. The settings juxtapose elegant stagecraft with the shipboard society that fuels the film’s farcical scandals.

🗼 Paris 🎭 Performing Arts 🗞️ Media/Publicity

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 16:21

Main Characters – Shall We Dance (1937)

Meet the key characters of Shall We Dance (1937), with detailed profiles, motivations, and roles in the plot. Understand their emotional journeys and what they reveal about the film’s deeper themes.

Petrov (Peter P. Peters)

A amiable American ballet dancer who poses as a stern Russian, Peters hides a genuine warmth beneath a demanding public persona. He falls for Linda Keene and disguises his identity to win her affection, then navigates a web of publicity and deception to be with her.

💃 Dancer 🧭 Dual Identity

Linda Keene

A famous tap dancer who initially dismisses Petrov but gradually warms to him on the ocean voyage. Her celebrity makes her wary of scandal, and the forged bedroom photos push her toward a secret marriage that complicates her career and heart.

🎤 Performer 💖 Romance

Jeffrey Baird

The bumbling ballet company owner who secretly resists blending classical ballet with modern jazz. He pretends to be serious and demanding while quietly enabling the publicity stunts that drive the plot.

🎩 Boss 🎭 Authority

Arthur Miller

Linda's manager who covertly engineers publicity campaigns and fake scandals to protect or advance his client. He is ruthless and calculating, using deception to manipulate public perception.

🗝️ Schemer

Lady Denise Tarrington

An aristocratic rival love interest briefly revealed as a former flame, complicating the love triangle and fueling misunderstandings about Petrov's intentions. Her social standing also intensifies the pressure of the publicity machine.

💫 Aristocrat 💃 Socialite

Jim Montgomery

Linda's fiancé chosen to preserve her reputation amid the publicity storm. His engagement to Linda heightens the stakes as Petrov fights for a chance at true love.

🎯 Fiancé 🕊️ Romance

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 16:21

Major Themes – Shall We Dance (1937)

Explore the central themes of Shall We Dance (1937), from psychological, social, and emotional dimensions to philosophical messages. Understand what the film is really saying beneath the surface.

🎭 Romance

A love affair blossoms between the disguised dancer Petrov and Linda Keene, built on a clash of public image and private affection. Their evolving relationship tests loyalty as rumors spread and reputations hang in the balance. The film uses romance to explore how fame can complicate genuine connection.

📰 Publicity

Public image drives the plot, with staged photographs, tabloid campaigns, and fake marriages used to sway careers. Characters manipulate press coverage to protect or advance their interests. The commentary on media manipulation sits at the heart of the comedy.

🩰 Performance

The film centers on dance as a currency of prestige, blending classical ballet with modern jazz movements. The tension between tradition and novelty underpins the plot and culminates in a show-stopping onstage finale. Characters perform not just for art, but as a means of control, love, and social standing.

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 16:21

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Shall We Dance Summary

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Shall We Dance Summary

Shall We Dance Timeline

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Shall We Dance Timeline

More About Shall We Dance

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Shall We Dance (1937) Plot Summary & Movie Recap

Shall We Dance (1937) Scene-by-Scene Movie Timeline

Shall We Dance (1937) Spoiler-Free Summary & Key Flow