So You Want To Learn To Dance (1953)

 

So You Want To Learn To Dance - 1953

Coming up next is 1953's "So You Want To Learn To Dance".  In this installment in the "So You Want To" franchise, Joe McDoakes must learn to dance to save his job.

The film's cast includes George O'Hanlon, Jesslyn Fax, Creighton Hale, and Emory Parnell.

Joe McDoakes is excited.  He has finally received an invitation to the boss's country club dance.  He's happy until he remembers he doesn't know how to dance.

The girls at the office dismiss him as a hopeless case when they try to teach him a few steps.

The boss even tries to teach Joe.  This involves Joe standing on the boss's feet.  Joe is at first reluctant.  "Now, put your arms around me," says Mr. Blivens.  "I'll see ya later," Joe says as he tries to leave the room quickly.

Joe makes a fool of himself at the dance when he has to dance with Genevieve, the boss's wife.  The only way he knows how to dance is on someone's feet.  Poor Genevieve!

On Monday morning, Mr. Blivens tells Joe that he's been enrolled at a dance academy.  "Oh, but I can't afford dancing lessons," says Joe.  "You're not paying for it!  I'm deducting it from your paycheck," announces Mr. Blivens.

At the dance academy, the teacher sees that she is dealing with a beginning, and Joe is put into the beginner's class for children.

After a few more country club dances, Joe succeeds in putting his job in jeopardy because of his awful dancing.  "Now, you listen to me, you stupid, dim-witted half brain!  I’m giving you one last chance!  Either you make yourself socially acceptable by next Saturday night, or you’re out of this organization!" exclaims Mr. Bivens.

So, it's back to dancing lessons for Joe.  He works very hard to learn every possible dance conceivable.

By the time Saturday night comes around, Joe is a smashing success.  Genevieve is thrilled to have him as her dance partner.

Joe is so successful that he becomes the head of his organization.  Now, his old boss Mr. Blivens must take orders from him!

Cast rundown:

   George O'Hanlon................................Joe McDoakes

   Jesslyn Fax........................................Dance Instructress

   Creighton Hale...................................Barber

   Emory Parnell.....................................George Blivens

And that's it for So You Want To Learn To Dance.  One of the most hilarious parts of this short film is when Joe is learning to dance the apache dance.  He literally swings his instructor around the room by her legs.  He lets go and she crashes through a window.  "I'm ready!" exclaims an exuberant Joe.

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