Dancing in the Dark (1949): cast, story & where to watch
1949 · Film · ★ 5
Released in 1949, Dancing in the Dark is a comedy and romance film directed by Irving Reis, running about 92 minutes. “"My Dream was to Become a Star...So Somewhere, Some Day, You'd Know I Did It, In Spite of You - My Father!"” — that tagline sets the tone.
What it’s about. Emery Slade was one of the brightest stars in Hollywood in 1932, but by 1949 his career has hit the skids. Fortunately, he is able to convince studio head Melville Crossman to cast him in the adaptation of a hit Broadway show. Crossman has one condition: Slade must travel to New York and convince the female star of the stage production to join the film. Slade goes, but, when he eyes the winsome Julie Clarke, he hatches a different scheme.
Who’s in it. Dancing in the Dark stars William Powell as Emery Slade, Mark Stevens as Bill Davis, Betsy Drake as Julie Clarke and Adolphe Menjou as Melville Crossman, among others.
How it landed. With an audience score of 5.0/10, Dancing in the Dark has proved divisive with audiences.
Where to watch. Streaming options change often. See the full, country-by-country breakdown on our where to watch Dancing in the Dark page.
If you liked it. Fans of Dancing in the Dark tend to enjoy Forrest Gump, Parasite, Life Is Beautiful and Fight Club.
Frequently asked
- Where can I watch Dancing in the Dark (1949)?
- Streaming, rental and purchase options for Dancing in the Dark change frequently. Check our where-to-watch page for the latest availability in your country.
- Is Dancing in the Dark worth watching?
- Dancing in the Dark holds an audience score of 5.0 out of 10, and is a strong pick if you enjoy comedy and romance. Reactions are mixed, so it may depend on taste.
- Who stars in Dancing in the Dark?
- Dancing in the Dark stars William Powell, Mark Stevens, Betsy Drake, Adolphe Menjou and Randy Stuart.
- When was Dancing in the Dark released?
- Dancing in the Dark was released in 1949, with a runtime of about 92 minutes.