Dance, Girl, Dance

A study of Dorothy Arzner's musical comedy Dance, Girl, Dance (1940) in the BFI Film Classics series

Women’s work, ambition and desire take centre stage in Dorothy Arzner’s Dance, Girl, Dance (1940), a rare classic Hollywood film directed by an openly queer woman. Starring Maureen O’Hara and Lucille Ball as performers pursuing contrasting ambitions, it offers a sharp perspective on entertainment, sexuality and marriage.

Drawing on previously unexplored archives, Matthew Solomon uncovers the film’s complex production history and the overlooked contributions of its women filmmakers. Exploring its stars’ screen images and its irreverent take on the comedy of remarriage, he reveals how Arzner navigated the studio system and censorship to bring her distinctive vision to the screen.