Dames at Sea (1971): cast, story & where to watch
1971 · Film · ★ 6
Released in 1971, Dames at Sea is a comedy, music and tv movie film directed by Walter C. Miller, running about 60 minutes. “A heartfelt parody of 1930s movie musicals.” — that tagline sets the tone.
What it’s about. Dames at Sea is a musical with book and lyrics by George Haimsohn and Robin Miller and music by Jim Wise. The musical is a parody of large, flashy 1930s Busby Berkeley-style movie musicals in which a chorus girl, newly arrived off the bus from the Midwest to New York City, steps into a role on Broadway and becomes a star. It originally played Off-Off-Broadway in 1966 at the Caffe Cino and then played Off-Broadway, starring newcomer Bernadette Peters, beginning in 1968 for a successful run. The television version was broadcast on the Bell System Family Theater on NBC on November 15, 1971. The cast had extra chorus girls and boys, and there were full production numbers, turning into the very thing it was spoofing. Ann Miller was singled out for praise, especially when "she was allowed to tap out her brassy...temperamental star..."
Who’s in it. Dames at Sea stars Ann-Margret as Ruby, Harvey Evans as Dick, Fred Gwynne as Hennesy and Anne Meara as Joan, among others.
How it landed. With an audience score of 6.0/10, Dames at Sea has drawn a solid, mixed-to-positive response.
Where to watch. Streaming options change often. See the full, country-by-country breakdown on our where to watch Dames at Sea page.
If you liked it. Fans of Dames at Sea tend to enjoy Forrest Gump, Parasite, Life Is Beautiful and Fight Club.
Frequently asked
- Where can I watch Dames at Sea (1971)?
- Streaming, rental and purchase options for Dames at Sea change frequently. Check our where-to-watch page for the latest availability in your country.
- Is Dames at Sea worth watching?
- Dames at Sea holds an audience score of 6.0 out of 10, and is a strong pick if you enjoy comedy, music and tv movie. Reactions are mixed, so it may depend on taste.
- Who stars in Dames at Sea?
- Dames at Sea stars Ann-Margret, Harvey Evans, Fred Gwynne, Anne Meara and Ann Miller.
- When was Dames at Sea released?
- Dames at Sea was released in 1971, with a runtime of about 60 minutes.