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Directed by Robert Z. Leonard, Dancing Lady (1933) tells the story of Janie «Duchess» Barlow (Joan Crawford), a young dancer who is reduced to stripping in a burlesque show. Arrested for indecent exposure, she is bailed out by millionaire playboy Tod Newton (Franchot Tone), who was attracted to her while slumming at the theatre with his society pals. When Janie tries to get a part in a Broadway musical, Tod intercedes with director Patch Gallagher (Clark Gable): he will put his money into the show, if Janie is given a part in the chorus. Although he needs the money, Patch is resistant, until he sees Janie dance and realizes her talent. Soon, Tod proposes to Janie and she accepts, but only if the show fails. Meanwhile, Patch has realized that neither his show nor his star, Vivian Warner (Gloria Foy), is right, so he gives Janie the lead in the new version. Although Patch and Janie are attracted to each other, she decides to go away with Tod when he secretly withdraws his backing and r...

In honour of Clark Gable's 115th birthday, this week on «Film Friday» I thought I would tell you a little bit about one of his most iconic pictures. Also, every «Film Friday» in February, in a sort of countdown to the Academy Awards, I am going to bring you a film that has either won or been nominated for Best Picture. As the 1935 winner, this film fits in very nicely. Directed by Frank Lloyd, Mutiny on the Bounty (1935) opens in Portsmouth, England in December 1787, with the HMS Bounty about to sail to Tahiti to collect a consignment of breadfruit trees to the transported to the West Indies and replanted to provide cheap sustenance for slave labour. The Bounty 's crew includes William Bligh (Charles Laughton), the ship's sadistic captain, who routinely administers hard punishment to officers who lack discipline or defy his authority; Fletcher Christian (Clark Gable), the ship's young lieutenant, who openly disapproves of Bligh's treatment of the crew; and Rog...