Dime a Dance

"Dime a Dance" is an early short comedy film, in the first year of four actors who would go on to have fine careers in the movies and TV. It's the very first film appearance of Danny Kaye, and only the fourth short for June Allyson in her first year. Imogene Coca makes just her second film appearance and short that year, while Barry Sullivan is in his third short, after his first short in 1936. Coca's career path followed television mostly, while the other three were mostly in films with some TV.

Allyson and Sullivan are hardly recognizable in this early film. Their adult appearances for which they were known for decades hadn't yet developed beyond their youthful looks. Kaye and Coca, on the other hand, while very youthful, already had the semblance of the characters fans grew to know and enjoy over the years.

Kaye has a good role, but this is a comedy that stars Imogene Coca. Her Esmeralda is a real hoot as she puts some moves on gob Homer, played by Hank Henry, on the dance hall floor. Homer was a celeb, in having become the ping-pong champion of the fleet.

"Dime a Dance" is a short film from Educational Pictures that is worth seeing whether or not the film is actually very funny. This is because four big stars appear in the film long before their breakout roles...and long before they'd become famous. Imogene Coca (who gained fame in the 1950s on "Your Show of Shows" with Sid Caesar and Carl Reiner), June Allyson, Danny Kaye AND Barry Sullivan all star in this short...which is hard to believe!

The plot to "Dime a Dance" is very strange! Esmeralda (Coca) is not very popular with men, so her friend Harriet (Allyson) gives her a book on how to be popular with guys. Unfortunately, by mistake she gives her friend a book on Jiu Jitsu! And, Esmeralda is so dopey she doesn't notice the difference!

In the meantime, a navy ship is coming to port and the sailors all descend on the dance hall where the two women work. Unfortunately, none of the sailors want to dance with awkward Esmeralda. When her dream of a hunk, Homer, arrives...even he doesn't want to dance with her. But Esmeralda isn't about to give up...and she soon puts to use all the tricks she learned in that book! Homer reluctantly agrees to marry her...mostly because he's afraid of her! So the other sailors decide to sic Eddie on her...hoping she'll prefer Eddie (Kaye) over poor Homer. I have no idea why, but they have Eddie pose as a Russian prince....and he lays it on thick! So what about Homer? What lies in store for him?

This is an utterly ridiculous and silly film...but it's also oddly fun. I recommend you see it less because of the plot and more just to get a chance to see these actors before they underwent significant makeovers...as a few of them are barely recognizable in the movie.