The Unfinished Dance

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source: The Unfinished Dance

Trailer—The Unfinished Dance

The Unfinished Dance

I realize it's not exactly "Red Shoes" (hell, it's not even "Turning Point"), but if you can somehow block out the sentimental and unfunny film debut of Danny Thomas and manage to overlook the crappy acting (but not the lovely dancing) of Karin Booth you won't be too bored. Helping enormously is a fine performance from Cyd Charisse (who bears an eerie resemblance to Tulsi Gabbard) as a shallow, self centered ballerina twit. Indeed, Charisse is so good in this kind of a role I'm kinda surprised she didn't do it more often. And, as usual, Margaret O'Brien is the anti Shirley Temple, which is strictly ok by me. Give it a C plus.

Oh, I was so thrilled when I saw a Margaret O'Brien film on the TCM slate for today!!! And then when it came on in COLOR!!! My daughters were in dance lessons most of their lives and one continued to dance even after becoming a mom and a teacher. They would love to see this old movie. Since I am watching the movie currently, I can't comment on the overall, but I am thrilled to see such a young Danny Thomas! He looks a little like Mandy Patinkin. Just watching makes me smile and think of my own childhood, dancing, dreaming. Just know out there, that you can still find this movie on TCM. The Technicolor is vibrant and the values are old-fashioned and lovely. The blacker elements are still to come -- hang in there and watch it with me...all the way to the end!!!

I too am a grandma who saw this movie when I was 4 years old, it may have been one of the first movies I ever saw. I have been searching for it as well. It used to be shown occasionally on movie matinée TV shows, I am told, but with so much competition now, I doubt if it will return. It holds fond memories for me as well, it gave a poor little kid something to dream about. I would love to see it again. Margaret O'Brien was one of the all time great child stars, we don't see or hear enough about her work. Cyd Charise, and Danny Thomas were also in The Unfinished Dance. I thought with their passing the movie might be revisited but I never saw it listed. If anyone knows if it is still around in some studio archives, there are a few of us, or more, who would love seeing it again.

The genius of this movie is how it deconstructs backstabbing, bribery and alliances-making by portraying adorable little girls in tutus enacting an all out war among the pre-teen chorus of a New York Ballet. The object they're leveraging around? Sabotage of a prima ballerina by one girl who desperately supports a rival. It may sound cute, but the outcomes are very serious. When you see an 8 year-old child leaning on a roommate and angling bribes, it really takes all of the "honor" out of strong-arm tactics. On the other hand, the most adorable scene is when a 3 year-old performs an audition for a tiny tot solo. You'll giggle out loud (even my grandfather did). For anyone who would like to catch this movie, it's on rotation on TMC, a basic cable channel (I think that's Turner Movie Channel, but correct me if I'm wrong please).

This movie is okay. A pleasant but saccharine MGM Technicolor musical film used as a vehicle for showing off beautiful Cyd Charisse's skills as a ballet dancer. But this film is actually a remake of a brilliant film, the truly thrilling "Ballerina" (aka "La Mort du cygne") a 1938 French film. This unforgettably romantic and atmospheric classic film about the price of art and ego starred the great dancers Yvonne Chauvire and Mia Slavenska along with a wonderful cast. The moody black and white photography vividly conjures the world of the Paris Opera House, both center stage and backstage. The film creates a world that is unforgettable. If you liked "Unfinished Dance" don't miss the incredible original film. "Unfinished" does have also have some interest for the rare glimpses of great dancers, George Zoritch among them, that it offers.

I am a grandma now, but as a five year old, I viewed this movie in a very small town theater. After I saw this movie with a five year old's eyes, I not only wanted to be a ballerina, but I wanted to be Margaret O'Brien. Not being able to have dance lessons, I danced on my own. My aunt made me a beautiful outfit, and I was in heaven. Now, move ahead 20 years. I have a daughter who wanted to dance, and of course I sent her for lessons. She is now a very successful, and talented dance teacher. I would love for her to see this movie, but I don't know where, or how to get it. This movie has not only been an influence on one generation, but on two. I wish there were more movies of this calaber. Simple, but oh so good.