Danny Dare

Danny Dare (20 March 1905, New York City - 20 November 1996, Tarzana, Los Angeles, California) was an American choreographer, actor, director, writer, and producer of the stage, screen, and film.[1]

Dare began his career in the 1920s as an actor on the New York stage, making his Broadway debut in 1923 in the musical Dew Drop Inn.[2] He then performed on the vaudeville circuit, where he also gained experience as a choreographer, comedy sketch writer, and eventually a producer. In 1927 he portrayed Ronnie Webb in the musical The Five O'Clock Girl, also serving as the show's assistant choreographer.[3] He soon became highly busy as a choreographer on Broadway, serving in that capacity for such shows as The Little Show (1929)[4], Sweet Adeline (1929)[5] Sweet and Low (1930)[6], You Said It (1931)[7], and Tattle Tales (1933)[8]. In 1931 he produced the play Sentinels and later produced, directed, and wrote the book for the musical Meet the People (1940).[9]

Dare's talents as a choreographer drew the attention of executives at Paramount Pictures and he was offered a contract with the studio in 1929. He went on to choreograph several films with the company including Let's Go Places (1930)[10], Such Men Are Dangerous (1930)[11], Not Damaged (1930)[12], Wild People (1932)[11], Three Cheers for Love (1936)[11], Start Cheering (1938)[11], Hit Parade of 1941 (1940)[11], Panama Hattie (1942)[11], and most notably Holiday Inn (1942)[13]. The last film he choreographed was Road to Utopia in 1946.[14]

In 1938 Dare turned to directing for the first time with the film The Main Event. He never directed another film, but he was active as a television director during the 1950s with the shows Damon Runyon Theater and How to Marry a Millionaire. He also produced a total of eight films between 1945 and 1952.[1]

References

  1. ^ a b Obituaries in the Performing Arts, 1996: Film, Television, Radio, Theatre By Harris M. Lentz, Page 54
  2. ^ "Max Reinhardt To Produce Here: European Director to Give "The Miracle," "The Dream Play," "Orpheus" Next Season.". The New York Times. May 18, 1923. http://select.nytimes.com/gst/abstract.html?res=FB0A13FA385D11738DDDA10994DD405B838EF1D3&scp=9&sq=%22Dew+Drop+Inn%22&st=p. 
  3. ^ "Local Talent". The New York Times. January 29, 1928. http://select.nytimes.com/gst/abstract.html?res=F00E16F83F5C177A93CBAB178AD85F4C8285F9&scp=1&sq=%22Danny+Dare%22+%22The+Five+O%27Clock+Girl%22&st=p. 
  4. ^ Brooks Atkinson (May 1, 1929). "THE PLAY; Revue, Pocket Edition.". The New York Times. http://select.nytimes.com/gst/abstract.html?res=F60E13F73E54167A93C3A9178ED85F4D8285F9&scp=8&sq=%22Danny+Dare%22&st=p. 
  5. ^ Broadway musicals, show by show By Stanley Green & Kay Green, page 68
  6. ^ Showstoppers: Busby Berkeley and the tradition of spectacle By Martin Rubin, page 227
  7. ^ Brooks Atkinson (January 20, 1931). "THE PLAY; Collegiate.". The New York Times. http://select.nytimes.com/gst/abstract.html?res=FB0C12FF395E1A738DDDA90A94D9405B818FF1D3&scp=10&sq=%22Danny+Dare%22&st=p. 
  8. ^ L.N. (June 2, 1933). "Expired Option on You.". The New York Times. http://select.nytimes.com/gst/abstract.html?res=F20A10FE3C5E1A7A93C0A9178DD85F478385F9&scp=16&sq=%22Danny+Dare%22&st=p. 
  9. ^ "Meet Some People Frm 'Meet The People'". The New York Times. January 5, 1941. http://select.nytimes.com/gst/abstract.html?res=F30717F7395F167B93C7A9178AD85F458485F9&scp=43&sq=%22Danny+Dare%22&st=p. 
  10. ^ The American Film Institute catalog of motion pictures ..., Issues 1931-1940 By Kenneth White Munden, page 431
  11. ^ a b c d e f Film choreographers and dance directors By Larry Billman, page 289
  12. ^ The American Film Institute catalog of motion pictures ..., Issues 1931-1940 By Kenneth White Munden, page 553
  13. ^ Thomas M. Pryor (August 2, 1942). "By Way Of Report". The New York Times. http://select.nytimes.com/gst/abstract.html?res=F20811FC3A58167B93C0A91783D85F468485F9&scp=1&sq=%22Danny+Dare%22+%22++Holiday+Inn%22&st=p. 
  14. ^ The Great American movie book By Paul Michael, page 233

External links