When we as an audience are first introduced to Don Lockwood, he is portrayed as a sort of typical Hollywood movie star. He has fancy clothes, a nice car, a big ego, and a smug attitude. Though it may be tempting to take this characterization at face value, we are exposed to many more aspects of his character throughout the movie. The scene features Don and his best friend, Cosmo, along with a speech therapist. In this scene, we see Don and Cosmo break out into a tap dancing number while Don is practicing his enunciation with the therapist.
As with their other numbers, the focus of this scene is the antics of Don and Cosmo and their synchronized routine. As far as the storyline goes, this scene doesn’t seem to serve much purpose. Other than simply knowing that Don is participating in speech therapy as well as Lena, why should a dance number be included? What purpose does it serve in the movie as a whole? I think that this scene in particular gives some indication as to the purpose of the musical aspects of the film exactly because of this reason, because the scene really serves no other purpose other than to give exposure to the characters.
Since plot-wise it isn’t important, we have to analyze how this scene might contribute to our perception of the characters. As opposed to the professional, sleek and egotistical Don that we are introduced to in his opening scene, this Don is dressed more casually, speaks more casually, and probably most importantly, acts in a fun and excitable way. He is eager to ditch the enunciation practice and excited to dance around the room and play around with the speech therapist. This Don is comedic and likeable, something that the big-name-Hollywood-star Don was not.
On the way to discovering the purpose of this scene, I think we also have to consider the placement of the musical number. It’s included in the middle of a scene that, at the start, seemed to be focused on Don’s professional life as an actor. He is working to improve his on-screen skills, and Cosmo interrupts with a dance number that has Don smiling and having fun; something we don’t see him do when he was practicing his enunciation. From this I think we can gather some ideas about what Don really enjoys doing, what he is passionate about. He sort of half-heartedly repeats what the therapist gives him, but goes all out in this rather silly dance with Cosmo. By placing the number in the middle of a more professional setting, as is done with many of the other dance numbers, I think we can see how Don’s desire to dance and sing and have fun is boiling over into his daily life and job.
Through all of this, I think that we can see what the actual purpose of this musical number, and perhaps all of the musical numbers, is. It’s a sort of outpouring of Don’s true personality, wants, and dreams. It’s a depiction of what he might have been like had his career not been swept up in the silent-film movement. We know that dancing and singing was something that Don had done and enjoyed before, and I think these musical numbers serve to show us as viewers that this isn’t a past that Don wants to leave behind. They are a glimpse into his true character, a side that he is unable to show in his professional life.
Suzanne Hutchinson
Don’s appreciation for song and dance post major stardom sets a standard for musicals in general. As you said, Don is smiling and having fun when he sees a performance beyond just acting out a script or making facial expressions for a movie scene. When singing and/ or dancing is incorporated into a scene, it is much easier to understand the emotions of the actors. If a viewer closed their eyes and listened to the performance, they would be able to sense the emotion through the sounds from singing and dancing. This would reveal more than just listening to dialogue between characters. In musicals to follow, the scenes with singing and/ or dancing produce a livelier, more entertaining experience for the audience.
I definitely agree with your perspective on the musical numbers being there for merely entertainment and spectacle. The dance sequences are entertaining, but also seem to emphasize the bond between Don and Cosmo as well as where both of their true passions lie. I did not look at the dancing numbers as Don’s true passion, but that makes sense now. He seemed happier dancing and singing in bars with Cosmo than acting on set or living the Hollywood actor lifestyle. Especially with his grand spectacle of “Gotta Dance,” it really ties in how dancing and singing are his true passions and desires.
I agree that the musical numbers throughout much of the film are not relevant to the plot of the film or necessary for the story line, but I think that is the way of integrated musicals. You assessment of Don Lockwood’s character is spot on, and I think his character’s connection with song and dance is an important element to the film, especially in the end when they turn that movie into a musical to save it.
While I do agree with you that musicals are for the entertainment purpose, I do see a purpose of some of the songs. Especially in the “Good Morning” song, they show passion, emotion, and enthusiasm because they are about to change the “Dueling Cavalier” into a musical. And the purpose of this song is to show that they are happy and 1:30 in the morning.
I have to agree. This is definitely one of my favorite scene and not only because of the amazing dancing but also because this is when Don first becomes likable to me. It emphasizes the great friendship that he and Cosmo have and how fun they are. This scene is when Don really starts to become a round character for me and more than just the movie star that we are initially introduced to.
I completely agree with you, I also noticed this while watching the film. An interesting thing to think about is that he didn’t seem to know what he really like/wanted until Kathy insulted his trade. Once he began to think about what she said about him not being a “real actor” is when we really see him start to open up and go back to his roots. The whole time I was thinking about why him and Cosmo didn’t just make their own movie with song and dance all the way through, because audiences would love their routines. Great read on his character!
I like that you wrote about this scene and it’s implications — or lack there of. I never thought about this as we were watching the film. Like you mentioned, I think this is one of the first scenes in the film where we see Don breaking out of his glamorous, self-absorbed identity and just having fun with his friend. Although this scene isn’t crucial to the narrative structure of the film, like you said, I think it does serve an important role is helping the audience understand and interpret Don as a character.
I really like where you went with this. I think it was well thought out and proves a very valid point. I feel like an obvious purpose of the scenes is for entertainment but I think it is a good read. The tap number as well as Don’s solo in the rain, I think do really help to show his true personality rather and helps to override our initial impression of Don during the opening scene.
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I appreciate the direction you took with this analysis. It appears well-considered and makes a compelling point. While the scenes may have an apparent entertainment purpose, I find it to be a compelling read. Specifically, the tap number and Don’s solo in the rain contribute significantly to revealing his true personality, ultimately challenging our initial impressions from the opening scene. On a related note, any updates on ‘Ehsaas Rashan‘ would be of interest.
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