Swing Time Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

A gambling dancer needs money to get married, but then realizes dancing with Ginger Rogers is way more fun than marrying some rich girl, so he sabotages his own financial success to avoid commitment.

🍿 Swing Time: Detailed Plot Synopsis

The Delayed Wedding

John ‘Lucky’ Garnett, a talented dancer and gambler, is set to marry Margaret Watson. However, his fellow dancers, wanting to keep him in the act, trick him into being late for the wedding. This infuriates Margaret’s father, Judge Watson, who calls off the ceremony.

The $25,000 Challenge

Judge Watson challenges Lucky to earn $25,000 in New York City to prove he can provide for Margaret. Determined, Lucky, accompanied by his friend Pop Cardetti, heads to the city with only a lucky quarter.

Meeting Penny

In New York, Lucky encounters Penelope ‘Penny’ Carrol, a dance instructor. Their initial meeting is rocky, marked by misunderstandings and accusations. Lucky follows Penny to her dance academy, pretending to be a clumsy student to get closer to her.

A Budding Romance and Dance Partnership

Lucky’s charade leads to Penny being fired, but he saves her job by demonstrating his true dancing talent. This leads to a professional partnership, and they begin to develop feelings for each other. However, Lucky’s commitment to Margaret and Penny’s attraction to bandleader Ricky Romero complicate matters.

Jealousy and Gambling

Jealousy arises as Ricky, who is in love with Penny, refuses to play for their audition. Lucky resorts to gambling to win Ricky’s contract, further complicating his relationship with Penny, especially as he avoids earning the $25,000 he promised Margaret’s father.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Lucky Garnett (Fred Astaire): A charming and talented gambler/dancer who must earn money to marry his sweetheart but falls for a dance instructor in New York.
• Penny Carroll (Ginger Rogers): A witty and talented dance instructor who becomes Lucky’s dance partner and love interest, navigating his prior engagement.
• Pop Cardetti (Victor Moore): Lucky’s loyal but somewhat inept friend and sidekick who assists in his schemes, often with humorous results.
• Margaret Watson (Betty Furness): Lucky’s initially intended bride who sets the plot in motion and reappears later with a twist.
• Ricky Romero (Georges Metaxa): A jealous band leader who is in love with Penny and tries to sabotage Lucky’s chances with her and in their act.
• Mabel Anderson (Helen Broderick): Penny’s wisecracking friend who provides support and comic relief, often paired with Pop.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Lucky Garnett: “I’ll hang my shoes on beautiful trees, I’ll give my rhythm back to the breeze.” – Lucky sings this as part of ‘Never Gonna Dance’, lamenting the potential end of his dancing career and relationship with Penny.
• Penelope “Penny” Carrol: “Listen. No one could teach you to dance in a million years. Take my advice and save your money!” – Penny says this to Lucky when she believes he is a hopeless dancer, unaware of his true talent.
• Lucky Garnett: “Pick yourself up, dust yourself off, start all over again.” – The main chorus of the movie’s first and most memorable song.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $886,000
• Domestic Gross: N/A
• Worldwide Gross: $6,317

💥 Swing Time Reviews

Personal Review

Oh, how I love this movie! Fred and Ginger just glide across the screen, making everything look so effortless. ‘Never Gonna Dance’ just breaks my heart every time! The way the music swells and their expressions tell the story is just perfect. And ‘The Way You Look Tonight’? Forget about it! Gives me the feels every single time. Definitely a comfort movie I can watch again and again.

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of classic musicals”
  • “Admirers of Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers”
  • “People who enjoy dance films”
  • “Those seeking lighthearted and romantic comedies”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Use of blackface in one musical number”
  • “Mild gambling themes”

Professional Reviews

• Classic Movie Review: “An absolute joy from start to finish. ‘Swing Time’ showcases Astaire and Rogers at their finest, with a perfect blend of romance, comedy, and unforgettable dance numbers. The musical score is sublime, making this a timeless classic that deserves to be seen again and again.
• Golden Age of Cinema: “Arguably the best of the Astaire-Rogers pairings. The realistic portrayal of love sets it apart from other films in the series. ‘The Way You Look Tonight’ is not only the best song but also shows Astaire’s superb acting ability. A truly delightful movie experience

Audience Reactions

The chemistry between Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers is magnetic and they will make you believe in movie magic.: The dancing sequences are breathtaking and the songs become instant favorites.

The ‘Bojangles of Harlem’ tribute dance is incredible.: The film is generally uplifting and makes one forget about life’s problems for a while.

Overall Consensus: A timeless classic praised for its unforgettable musical numbers, the undeniable chemistry between Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers, and its ability to lift spirits.

Awards

1. Academy Award (Best Original Song)- 1936

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “The climax of “Never Gonna Dance” took 47 takes in a single day because of various technical issues and required many demanding spins of Ginger Rogers; her feet bled.”
• “Ginger Rogers was told that “Swing Time” did even better business at Radio City Music Hall than “Top Hat,” and declared it her personal favorite among her films with Fred Astaire.”
• “The Bojangles of Harlem number is a tribute to Bill “Bojangles” Robinson, a famous tap dancer of the time.”

🖥️ How to Watch Swing Time?

Currently, ‘Swing Time’ is available for purchase or rent on various digital platforms. Check Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play Movies, and Vudu for streaming options. Availability may vary depending on your region. Unfortunately, there is no dedicated streaming home currently.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed Swing Time, you might like these similar films:

• Top Hat (1935): Another classic Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers musical with dazzling dance numbers and a charming romantic plot.
• The Gay Divorcee (1934): One of the earlier Astaire-Rogers films, featuring their signature blend of dance, romance, and light comedy.
• Singin’ in the Rain (1952): A vibrant and iconic musical that, like Swing Time, celebrates dance and romance during a pivotal moment in entertainment history.
• La La Land (2016): A modern musical that pays homage to classic Hollywood musicals like Swing Time, with a focus on dreams, romance, and the struggles of artists.

🛒 Swing Time Related Products

• Swing Time (The Criterion Collection) [Blu-ray]: High-definition digital restoration, featuring special features such as interviews and documentaries about Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers.
• Fred Astaire & Ginger Rogers: The Complete Film Collection: Digitally remastered edition of all ten Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers films.
• Swing Time Movie Poster: A high-quality reproduction of the original movie poster, perfect for framing and displaying.
• Fred Astaire: Steps in Time: Autobiography of Fred Astaire.

🎧 Soundtrack

Swing Time features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “Pick Yourself Up” – performed by Fred Astaire & Ginger Rogers
• “The Way You Look Tonight” – performed by Fred Astaire
• “A Fine Romance” – performed by Ginger Rogers & Fred Astaire

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

Top 10 Fred Astaire & Ginger Rogers Dance Scenes

Want to see the best Fred and Ginger dance scenes ever? This video counts them down, and trust me, you’ll be mesmerized by their moves. I was blown away by their talent!

The Truth About Fred Astaire And Ginger Rogers Working Together

Ever wondered what it was REALLY like for Fred and Ginger working together? This video spills all the behind-the-scenes secrets, from jealous wives to on-set tensions. Honestly, it’s more dramatic than I expected!

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