Background
George Gershwin—who had become famous for blending jazz with classical forms— wrote each scene in a different style of dance music, and he composed one scene specifically for the ballerina Harriet Hoctor. Ira Gershwin seemed decidedly less excited by the idea; none of his lyrics make reference to the notion of blending different styles of dance (such as ballet and jazz), and Astaire was not enthusiastic about the concept. While the film—the couple's most expensive to date—benefits from quality comedy specialists, opulent art direction by Carroll Clark under Van Nest Polglase's supervision, and a timeless score which introduces three classic Gershwin songs, the convoluted plot and the curious absence of a romantic partnered duet for Astaire and Rogers—a hallmark of their musicals since The Gay Divorcee (1934)—contributed to their least profitable picture to date.
Astaire was no stranger to the Gershwins, having headlined, with his sister Adele, two Gershwin Broadway shows: Lady Be Good! in 1924 and Funny Face in 1927, and George Gershwin accompanied the pair on piano in a set of recordings in 1926. Ginger Rogers first came to Hollywood's attention when she appeared in the "Embraceable You" number (choreographed by Astaire) in the Gershwin's Girl Crazy in 1930.
Read more about this topic: Shall We Dance (1937 Film)
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