History Film / ShallWeDance

Not to be confused with the 1996 Japanese film by the same title, or its 2004 American remake.

Peter and Linda hit it off and are frequently seen together, leading to speculation that Linda is Peter's wife. Linda tries to squash the rumor, as she intends to marry UpperClassTwit Jim Montgomery, but [[NamesTheSame Arthur Miller]], her nearly-bankrupt producer, encourages it in hopes of staving off her proposed retirement from show business. Things come to a head when the newspapers publish what appears to be proof of the marriage: photographs of Linda in a nightgown, leaning over Peter's bed and watching him sleep. (The photos were actually faked by Arthur, who sneaked into Peter's hotel suite with a wax dummy of Linda left over from a previous stage show.)

[[quoteright:300:http://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/b9da62c9e68875473bde174ff5ebd658.jpg]]
[[caption-width-right:300:Just married, and about to be divorced.[[note]]His raised pinky is illustrating "the way she holds her knife."[[/note]]]]

[[RepetitiveName Peter P. Peters]] (Astaire) is a ballet star [[StageNames under the name of Petrov,]] but he longs to explore the possibilities of jazz and tap dancing--much to the disapproval of his impresario, Jeffrey Baird (Edward Everett Horton). While in Paris, Peter becomes fascinated by musical comedy star Linda Keene (Rogers) and arranges to travel with her on an ocean liner bound for New York. Peter's StalkerWithACrush, Denise Tarrington, is also aboard. In an attempt to discourage her from stirring up trouble, Jeffrey [[SnowballLie tells her that Peter is secretly married]]. Skeptical Denise leaks the information to PullTheThread.

Peter and Linda hit it off and are frequently seen together, leading to speculation that Linda is Peter's wife. Linda tries to squash the rumor, as she intends to marry UpperClassTwit Jim Montgomery, but [[NamesTheSame Arthur Miller]], her nearly-bankrupt producer, encourages it in hopes of staving off her proposed retirement from show business. Things come to a head when the newspapers publish what appears to be proof of the marriage: photographs of Linda in a nightgown, hovering over Peter's bed and watching him sleep. (The photos were actually faked by Arthur, who sneaked into Peter's hotel suite with a wax dummy of Linda left over from a previous stage show.)

Linda convinces Peter to marry her secretly so that they can immediately have a public divorce. After the wedding, she starts to have second thoughts about divorcing him, but when she goes to his room to tell him so, she [[MistakenForCheating finds him with another woman]]--Denise, who has gotten Jeffrey to confess to his lie and is throwing herself at Peter once again. After assuring Denise that Peter really is married, Linda leaves the hotel and initiates divorce proceedings.

Some weeks later, Linda arrives at Peter's new show with divorce papers. However, when she sees the number that he created, in which all of the dancers are wearing masks of her face, her anger dissolves. By [[NeedleInAStackOfNeedles placing herself the dance among her doubles,]] Linda reunites onstage with a joyful Peter.

'''Peter:''' Except me. l'm beginning to have my doubts.

* YouSayTomato: Linda and Peter sing the song which gives the trope its name. The song was written because Ira Gershwin noticed that Ginger Rogers habitually said "ee-ther" and Fred Astaire said "eye-ther."

Peter P. Peters (Astaire) is a ballet star [[StageNames under the name of Petrov,]] but he longs to explore the possibilities of jazz and tap dancing--much to the disapproval of his impresario, Jeffrey Baird (Edward Everett Horton). While in Paris, Peter becomes fascinated by musical comedy star Linda Keene (Rogers) and arranges to travel with her on an ocean liner bound for New York. Peter's StalkerWithACrush, Denise Tarrington, is also aboard. In an attempt to discourage her from stirring up trouble, Jeffrey [[SnowballLie tells her that Peter is secretly married]]. Skeptical Denise leaks the information to PullTheThread.

* FrameUp: Arthur frames Peter and Linda for a marriage.

* SnowballLie: Jeffrey's lie to Denise starts the whole plot.

* EvilDetectingDog: Invoked by Linda when her dog barks at Peter.

* MisterMuffykins: Linda's little dog.

* OutOfContextEavesdropping: A policeman overhears Linda and Peter discussing the predicament the photographs have put them in and thinks they're talking about something else.

Peter P. Peters (Astaire) is a ballet star [[StageNames under the name of Petrov,]] but he longs to explore the possibilities of jazz and tap dancing--much to the disapproval of his impresario, Jeffrey Baird (Edward Everett Horton). While in Paris, Peter becomes fascinated by musical comedy star Linda Keene (Rogers) and arranges to travel with her on an ocean liner bound for New York. Peter's StalkerWithACrush, Denise Tarrington, is also aboard. In an attempt to discourage her from stirring up trouble, Jeffrey [[SnowballLie tells her that Peter is secretly married]]. Skeptical Denise leaks the information in an attempt to PullTheThread.

* MistakenForPregnant: On the ship, Linda and Peter sit in adjacent deck chairs chatting while Linda knits a tiny sweater for her dog. This sight kicks the rumor mill into overdrive.

* TheOneThatGotAway: Peter's show makes it clear to Linda that he sees her this way. Arthur helpfully tells her, "He said if he couldn't dance with you, he'd dance with images of you."
** Also, one reason "They Can't Take That Away From Me" is so effective is because it's right after their wedding and yet Peter clearly already feels that Linda is lost to him.

* MistakenForPregnant: On the ship, Linda and Peter sit in adjacent deck chairs chatting while Linda knits a tiny sweater for her [[MisterMuffykins small dog]]. This sight kicks the rumor mill into overdrive.

Peter P. Peters (Astaire) is a ballet star [[StageNames under the name of Petrov,]] but he longs to explore the possibilities of jazz and tap dancing--much to the disapproval of his impresario, Jeffrey Baird (Edward Everett Horton). While in Paris, Peter becomes fascinated by musical comedy star Linda Keene (Rogers) and arranges to travel with her on an ocean liner bound for New York. Peter's StalkerWithACrush, Denise Tarrington, is also aboard. In an attempt to discourage her from stirring up trouble, Jeffrey [[SnowballLie tells her that Peter is secretly married]].

Peter and Linda are frequently seen together, leading to a rumor that Linda is Peter's wife. Linda tries to squash the report, as she intends to marry UpperClassTwit Jim Montgomery, but [[NamesTheSame Arthur Miller]], her producer, encourages it in hopes of staving off her proposed retirement from show business. Things come to a head when the newspapers publish what appears to be proof of the marriage: photographs of Linda in a nightgown, hovering over Peter's bed and watching him sleep. (The photos were actually faked by Arthur, who sneaked into Peter's hotel suite with a wax dummy of Linda left over from a previous stage show.)

Linda convinces Peter to marry her secretly so that they can then have a public divorce. After the wedding, she starts to have second thoughts about divorcing him, but when she goes to his room to tell him so, she [[MistakenForCheating finds him with another woman]]--Denise, who has gotten Jeffrey to confess to his lie and is throwing herself at Peter once again. After assuring Denise that Peter really is married, Linda leaves the hotel and initiates divorce proceedings.

Some weeks later, Linda arrives at the opening of Peter's new show with divorce papers. However, when she sees the number that he created, in which all of the dancers are wearing masks of her face, her anger dissolves. Slipping into the dance, Linda reunites onstage with a joyful Peter.

* ArtistDisillusionment: Linda experiences this in-universe after one too many costars assumes she's not just acting her love scenes and tries to kiss her offstage. She [[TakeThisJobAndShoveIt announces she's fed up, quits the show,]] and starts making plans to marry Jim immediately and retire.

* DanceOfRomance: Averted, surprisingly. All of Peter and Linda's dances together are upbeat in tempo.

* MistakenForPregnant: On the ship, Linda and Peter sit in adjacent deck chairs chatting while Linda [[KnittingPregnancyAnnouncement knits a tiny sweater]] for her [[MisterMuffykins small dog]]. This sight kicks the rumor mill into overdrive.

* SecondActBreakup: Linda leaves the ship by mail plane when she thinks that Peter was just using her to shield him from Denise.

* StageNames: "Petrov" and "Linda Keene" are actually Peter P. Peters and Linda Thompson.

Peter P. Peters (Astaire) is a ballet star [[StageNames under the name of Petrov,]] but he longs to explore the possibilities of jazz and tap dancing--much to the disapproval of him impresario, Jeffrey Baird (Edward Everett Horton). While in Paris, Peter becomes fascinated by musical comedy star Linda Keene (Rogers) and arranges to travel with her on an ocean liner bound for New York. Peter's StalkerWithACrush, Denise Tarrington, is also aboard. In an attempt to discourage her from stirring up trouble, Jeffrey [[SnowballLie tells her that Peter is secretly married]].

** Also, the reason "They Can't Take That Away From Me" is so wistful is because it's right after their wedding and yet Peter clearly already feels that Linda is lost to him.

A 1937 [[TheMusical Musical]] RomanticComedy film starring Creator/FredAstaire and Creator/GingerRogers, directed by Mark Sandrich. The music is by Music/GeorgeGershwin, with lyrics by his brother Ira.

[[caption-width-right:300:Just married, and about to be divorced]]
A 1937 [[TheMusical Musical]] film starring Creator/FredAstaire and Creator/GingerRogers, directed by Mark Sandrich. The music is by Music/GeorgeGershwin, with lyrics by his brother Ira. (Not to be confused with the 1996 Japanese film by the same title, or its 2004 American remake.)

Peter P. Peters (Astaire) is a ballet star [[StageNames under the name of Petrov,]] but he longs to explore the possibilities of jazz and tap dancing--much to the disapproval of him impresario, Jeffrey Baird. While in Paris, Peter becomes fascinated by musical comedy star Linda Keene (Rogers) and arranges to travel with her on an ocean liner bound for New York. Peter's StalkerWithACrush, Denise Tarrington, is also aboard. In an attempt to discourage her from stirring up trouble, Jeffrey [[SnowballLie tells her that Peter is secretly married]].

Peter and Linda are frequently seen together, leading to a rumor that Linda is Peter's wife. Linda tries to squash the report, as she intends to marry UpperClassTwit Jim Montgomery, but [[NamesTheSame Arthur Miller]], her producer, encourages it in hopes of staving off her proposed retirement from show business. Things come to a head when the newspapers publish what appears to be proof of the marriage: photographs of Linda in a nightgown, sitting on Peter's bed and watching him sleep. (The photos were actually faked by Arthur, who sneaked into Peter's hotel suite with a wax figure of Linda left over from a previous stage show.)

Linda convinces Peter to marry her secretly so that they can then have a public divorce. After the wedding, she starts to have second thoughts about divorcing him, but when she goes to his room to tell him so, she [[MistakenForCheating finds him with another woman]]--Denise, who has gotten Jeffrey to confess to his lie and is throwing herself at Peter once again. After exchanging some [[PassiveAggressiveKombat politely hostile words]] with Denise, Linda leaves the hotel and initiates divorce proceedings.

Some weeks later, Linda arrives at the opening of Peter's new show with divorce papers. However, when she sees the number that he created, in which all of the dancers are wearing masks of her face, her anger dissolves. By placing herself in the dance, Linda reunites on stage with a joyful Peter.

* BreakupSong: Peter sings "They Can't Take That Away from Me" to Linda about the memories he'll have from their brief marriage. Also functions as a GriefSong, as he wishes they could stay married longer.
* DanceOfRomance: Averted, surprisingly.

* FlowersOfRomance: First subverted and then played straight. Peter brings a bunch of roses to Linda's apartment when he arrives to meet her, but throws them away when he overhears her disparaging comments. Later, he buys Linda a gardenia to celebrate their wedding.

* NiceToTheWaiter: Peter gives the flower seller a very large tip when he buys the gardenia. The flower costs ten cents, and he hands her a paper bill and tells her to keep the change.
* OutOfContextEavesdropping: A policeman overhears Peter and Linda discussing the predicament the photographs have put them in and thinks they're talking about something else.

* YouSayTomato: Linda and Peter sing the song which gives the trope its name. The song was written because Ira Gershwin noticed one day that Ginger Rogers habitually said "ee-ther" and Fred Astaire said "eye-ther."

[[quoteright:303:http://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/e7276427162e5bbd7d8a13033714e667.jpg]]

* FrameUp: Arthur frames Peter and Linda for a marriage, not a crime.

* PassiveAggressiveKombat: When Linda finally meets Denise.

A 1937 [[TheMusical Musical]] film starring Creator/FredAstaire and Creator/GingerRogers, directed by Mark Sandrich. The music is by Music/GeorgeGershwin, with lyrics by his brother Ira.

Peter P. Peters (Astaire) is a ballet star under the name Petrov, but he longs to explore the possibilities of jazz and tap dancing. While in Paris, he becomes fascinated by musical star Linda Keene (Rogers) and arranges to meet her aboard an ocean liner bound for New York. After a rocky start, the two hit it off, leading to a rumor that they are secretly married. Linda tries to squash the rumor, as she intends to marry UpperClassTwit Jim Montgomery, but her producer encourages it in hopes of staving off her proposed retirement from show business. Finally, Linda convinces Peter to marry her secretly so that they can then have a public divorce and stop the speculation once and for all. But of course it's not that simple...

Not to be confused with the 1995 Japanese film by the same title, or its 2004 [[ForeignRemake American remake]].

* GriefSong: Peter sings "They Can't Take That Away from Me" to Linda on the ferry, about the memories he'll have from their brief marriage.
* NeedleInAStackOfNeedles: Peter choreographs a show in which all the ChorusGirls wear masks with Linda's face. Linda sneaks in among them and dances with him for the finale.
* SecretRelationship: Jeffrey tells Denise that Peter has one in order to put her off stalking him. Subverted in that not only does the world at large come to believe in the nonexistent relationship, but it soon becomes very public.

* StalkerWithACrush: Denise Tarrington. Her pursuit of Peter prompts Jeffrey to come up with the story about Peter being secretly married as a way of putting her off.
* UpperClassTwit: Jim Montgomery.