Saturday, February 27, 2010

GINGER ROGERS



Ginger Rodgers, made a total of 73 films, and is best known for her role as Fred Astaire's romantic interest and dancing partner in ten Hollywood musical films. She also achieved success in many other film roles, and won the Academy Award for Best Actress for her performance in Kitty Foyle (1940).

Rogers' first movie performances were films made in 1929, Night in the Dormitory, A Day of a Man of Affairs, and Campus Sweethearts. Shortly after opening in Top Speed, Rogers was to star on Broadway in Girl Crazy the musical made Ginger a star. She made her screen breakthrough in the film 42nd Street (1933). She went on to make films with RKO Radio Pictures, Flying Down to Rio (1933), where she performed with Dolores del Río and Fred Astaire.

Rogers was best known for her partnership with Fred Astaire. From 1933 to 1939, they made nine musical films: Flying Down to Rio (1933), The Gay Divorcee (1934), Roberta (1935), Top Hat (1935), Follow the Fleet (1936), Swing Time (1936), Shall We Dance (1937), and Carefree (1938), The Story of Vernon and Irene Castle (1939) and a tenth The Barkleys of Broadway(1949). Ginger Rodgers, combined her dancing skills, beauty and her talent as a dramatic actress and comedienne, complementing Astaire, who sometimes struggled as an actor and was not considered handsome. They had wonderful on screen chemistry in their performances in the comic numbers "I'll Be Hard to Handle" from Roberta (1935), "I'm Putting all My Eggs in One Basket" from Follow the Fleet (1936) and "Pick Yourself Up" from Swing Time (1936). Astaire made use of her flexible back in classic romantic dances such as "Smoke Gets in Your Eyes" from Roberta (1935), "Cheek to Cheek" from Top Hat (1935) and "Let's Face the Music and Dance" from Follow the Fleet (1936). One of Gingers best performances with Astaire was in the "Waltz in Swing Time" from Swing Time (1936). She tried to avoid solo dance performances and performed only one: "Let Yourself Go."



Ginger Rogers Favorites:

Actors/ Actresses: Cary Grant, Lucille Ball, Lew Ayres, Fred Astaire
Films: All Quiet on the Western Front
Foods: eggs sunny-side up and crisp bacon, steak and baked Idaho potatoes, and ice cream
Color: pink
Drinks: ice-cream sodas
Car: Rolls Royce
Hobbies: sculpting, painting, swimming, tennis, golf


Some of my favorite Ginger Rogers films:

42nd Street (1933)
Gold Diggers of 1933 (1933
Sitting Pretty (1933)
Flying Down to Rio (1933)
Change of Heart (1934)
The Gay Divorcee (1934)
Romance in Manhattan(1935)
Roberta (1935)
Star of Midnight (1935)
Top Hat (1935)
Follow the Fleet (1936)
Swing Time (1936)
Shall We Dance(1937)
Stage Door (1937)
Vivacious Lady(1938)
Carefree (1938)
Bachelor Mother(1939)
5th Ave Girl (1939)
Kitty Foyle (1940)
Tom, Dick and Harry (1941)
The Major and the Minor (1942)
Once Upon a Honeymoon(1942)
Week-End at the Waldorf (1945)



Thursday, February 25, 2010

JANIS PAIGE.



Janis Paige, musical theater and television actress. She began singing from the age of five. She then moved to Los Angeles after graduating from high school and landed a job as a singer at the Hollywood Canteen during World War II. She began her film career co-starring in musicals, often performing with Dennis Morgan or Jack Carson. After performing in Two Gals and a Guy(1951), she decided to leave Hollywood. She then took to Broadway and scored a huge hit with the comedy-mystery play, Remains to Be Seen (1951). She also toured as a cabaret singer, performing everywhere from New York City and Miami to Las Vegas and Los Angeles. Stardom came with her performance of "Babe" in the Broadway musical, The Pajama Game (1954). Doris Day went on to play the role on film. After a six-year hiatus, Paige returned to films in Silk Stockings(1957), which starred Fred Astaire and Cyd Charisse, and in Please Don't Eat the Daisies(1960). One of her rare dramatic roles was "Marion", an institutionalized hooker, in the 1963 drama, The Caretakers. From the mid-1950s on Janis also made a name for herself on television with such series as "It's Always Jan" 1955-1956, Trapper John, M.D., All in the Family, Colombo and Caroline in the City. In the 1980s and 1990s, she was seen on soap operas such as General Hospital, Capitol, and Santa Barbara.

LIST OF JANIS PAIGE MOVIES:

Bathing Beauty(1944)


Hollywood Canteen (1944)
Her Kind of Man (1946)
Of Human Bondage (1946)
Two Guys from Milwaukee(1946)
The Time, the Place and the Girl (1946)
Always Together (1947)
Winter Meeting (1948)
Wallflower (1948)
Romance on the High Seas (1948)
One Sunday Afternoon (1948)
Fugitive Lady (1949)
The Younger Brothers (1949)
The House Across the Street (1949)
This Side of the Law (1950)
Mr. Universe (1951)
Two Gals and a Guy (1951)
Silk Stockings (1957)
Please Don't Eat the Daisies (1960)
Bachelor in Paradise (1961)
Follow the Boys (1963)
The Caretakers (1963)
Welcome to Hard Times (1967)

Wednesday, February 24, 2010

HELEN FORREST- Singer


Helen Forrest, was one of the most popular female jazz vocalists during America's Big Band era. She first sang with her brother's band at the age of 10, and later began her career singing on CBS radio under the name Bonnie Blue.

Artie Shaw hired her in 1938. When he was looking for someone to replace vocalist Billie Holiday who had to leave the band. Forrest recorded 38 singles with Shaw's band. Two of her biggest hits with Shaw were the songs "They Say" and "All the Things You Are."In 1939, Forrest left Shaw and joined Benny Goodman, with whom she recorded a number of songs, including the hit song, "The Man I Love." She recorded with Nat King Cole and Lionel Hampton in 1940. In 1941, Forrest was hired by Harry James. It was with the Harry James Orchestra that she recorded her most popular numbers, "I Had the Craziest Dream" in 1942 and "I Don't Want to Walk Without You." Forrest also dated James, until he met Betty Grable who he would later marry. Forrest left Harry James Orchestra in 1943 to pursuit a solo career. In the 1940s, she sang on Dick Haymes' radio show. It was with Haymes that she recorded the song, "Some Sunday Morning." In 1944 she made an appearance in the Esther Williams movie Bathing Beauty with Harry James and his orchestra. After a dip in her recording career in the 1950s, Forrest sang with Tommy Dorsey's orchestra, led by Sam Donahue in the early 1960s. She continued to sing in supper clubs in the 1970s and 1980s. Her final album was released in 1983. She kept singing until the early 1990s, when arthritis forced her into retirement. Over the course of her career, she recorded more than 500 songs. Forrest acted in several musical films, including Bathing Beauty and Two Girls and a Sailor, which both came out in 1944.

Thursday, February 18, 2010

AMERICAN IN PARIS (1951)





An American in Paris (1951). Musical inspired by the 1928 orchestral composition by George Gershwin. Cast: Gene Kelly, Leslie Caron, and Oscar Levant. The film is set in Paris. Director: Vincente Minnelli. The music is by George Gershwin, with lyrics by his brother Ira, with additional music by Saul Chaplin. The story of the film is mixed with show stopping dance numbers choreographed by Gene Kelly. Songs include "I Got Rhythm," "I'll Build A Stairway to Paradise," "'S Wonderful," and "Our Love is Here to Stay". The American in Paris ballet featuring Kelly and Caron set to Gershwin's An American in Paris. The ballet alone cost more than $500,000.

FUN FACTS:

According to Leslie Caron, her introductory dance number, was considered too suggestive by censors.

Leslie Carons first movie.

Gene Kelly discovered Leslie Caron while vacationing in Paris where he saw her perform in a ballet.

Leslie Caron had suffered from malnutrition during WWII and was not used to the rigorous schedule of filming a movie. Because she would tire so easily, she was only able to work every other day.

Soundtracks:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

"Our Love Is Here to Stay"
(1937) (uncredited)
Music by George Gershwin
Lyrics by Ira Gershwin
Sung by Gene Kelly
Danced by Gene Kelly and Leslie Caron
Played often in the score as the love theme between Jerry and Lise

"By Strauss"
(1936) (uncredited)
Music by George Gershwin
Lyrics by Ira Gershwin
Lyrics Revised for this film by Ira Gershwin (1951)
Sung by Gene Kelly, Georges Guétary, Oscar Levant (dubbed by Mack McLean)

"Tra-la-la (This Time It's Really Love)"
(1922) (uncredited)
Music by George Gershwin
Lyrics by Ira Gershwin
Performed by Gene Kelly (vocal and dance) and Oscar Levant (vocal and piano)

"I Got Rhythm"
(1930) (uncredited)
Music by George Gershwin
Lyrics by Ira Gershwin
Performed by Gene Kelly and children

"I'll Build a Stairway to Paradise"
(1922) (uncredited)
Music by George Gershwin
Lyrics by Ira Gershwin and Buddy G. DeSylva)
Sung and Danced by Georges Guétary in his show

"'S Wonderful"
(1927) (uncredited)
Music by George Gershwin
Lyrics by Ira Gershwin
Played during the opening credits
Sung and Danced by Gene Kelly
Sung, Whistled and Hummed by Georges Guétary

"Nice Work if You Can Get It"
(1937) (uncredited)
Music by George Gershwin
Lyrics by Ira Gershwin
Sung by Georges Guétary

"Embraceable You"
(1930) (uncredited)
Music by George Gershwin
Danced by Leslie Caron

"An American in Paris Ballet"
(uncredited)
Music by George Gershwin
Played during the opening credits and often in the score
Danced by Gene Kelly, Leslie Caron and ensemble
Played by The MGM Symphony Orchestra, in an arrangement by Conrad Salinger based on Gershwin's orchestration
Conducted by Johnny Green

"Strike Up the Band"
(1927) (uncredited)
Music by George Gershwin
Played as background music

"Third Movement from 'Concerto in F for Piano and Orchestra'"
(1925) (uncredited)
Music by George Gershwin
Played by Oscar Levant and The MGM Symphony Orchestra conducted offscreen by Johnny Green,
and onscreen by Oscar Levant

"But Not for Me"
(1930) (uncredited)
Music by George Gershwin
Played as background music

"How Long Has This Been Going On?"
(1928) (uncredited)
Music by George Gershwin
Played as background music

"Someone to Watch Over Me"
(1926) (uncredited)
Music by George Gershwin
Played as dance music at the Flodair Café

"Oh, Lady Be Good"
(1926) (uncredited)
Music by George Gershwin
Played as background music

"I've Got a Crush on You, Sweetie Pie"
(1927) (uncredited)
Music by George Gershwin
Played as background music

Wednesday, February 17, 2010

CYD CHARISSE


Cyd Charisse was best known for her dance numbers with Fred Astaire and Gene Kelly. She first appeared with Astaire in a dance routine in Ziegfeld Follies. Her next performance with him was as lead role in The Band Wagon (1953), where she danced with Astaire in "Dancing in the Dark" and "Girl Hunt Ballet". Another early role for her was opposite Judy Garland in The Harvey Girls (1946). Debbie Reynolds was not a trained dancer, Gene Kelly chose Charisse to dance with him in "Broadway Melody" ballet finale from Singin' in the Rain (1952), and she co-starred with Kelly in Brigadoon (1954). She also took the lead role alongside Kelly in his MGM musical It's Always Fair Weather (1956). In 1957, she rejoined Astaire in the film version of Silk Stockings, a musical remake of Ninotchka(1939), with Charisse taking over Greta Garbo's role. In his autobiography, Astaire paid tribute to Charisse, calling her "beautiful dynamite" and writing: "That Cyd! When you've danced with her you stay danced with." In her autobiography, Charisse shared her experience with Astaire and Kelly: "As one of the handful of girls who worked with both of those dance geniuses, I think I can give an honest comparison. In my opinion, Kelly is the more inventive choreographer of the two. Astaire, with Hermes Pan's help, creates fabulous numbers — for himself and his partner. But Kelly can create an entire number for somebody else ... I think, however, that Astaire's coordination is better than Kelly's ... his sense of rhythm is uncanny. Kelly, on the other hand, is the stronger of the two. When he lifts you, he lifts you! ... To sum it up, I'd say they were the two greatest dancing personalities who were ever on screen. But it's like comparing apples and oranges. They're both delicious." She had a supporting role in "Something's Got To Give", the last, unfinished film of Marilyn Monroe. She made cameo appearances in Blue Mercedess "I Want To Be Your Property" (1987) and Janet Jacksons "Alright" (1990) music videos. Her last film appearance was in 1994 in That's Entertainment! III as one of the onscreen narrators of a tribute to the great MGM musical films. Info from Wikipedia.

My 5 top favorite Cyd Charisse films are:

FIESTA (1947)
ON AN ISLAND WITH YOU (1948)
SINGIN IN THE RAIN (1952)
ZIEGFELD FOLLIES (1945)
TILL THE CLOUDS ROLL BY (1946)

A DAMSEL IN DISTRESS (1937)



A Damsel in Distress (1937) Musical/comedy. Cast: Fred Astaire, Joan Fontaine, George Burns, and Gracie Allen. Screenplay by P. G. Wodehouse, based on his novel of the same name. music and lyrics by George and Ira Gershwin. Director: George Stevens.

The romantic life of Lady Alyce Marshmorton, is the talk of Totleigh Castle. To win the marriage pool, Albert, who works at the estate, forges a love letter from Alyce to Jerry Halliday, who she met in a London. Jerry, after reading the letter, leaves London with his publicist, George and Gracie, to meet Alyce. Meanwhile Alyce, who is really in love with an American skier and being chaperoned by her aunt Lady Caroline, is suprised to see Jerry. Jerry wins Alyce's heart at a carnival. Beggs, who had put his money on Reggie, sees that is going to loose, forces Albert to trade bets with him. Albert turns Alyce against Jerry by showing her a gossip column about Jerry's past, which had been made up by George. Heartbroken Alyce breaks it to Jerry at a Marshmorton ball that she no longer loves him. Will Jerry convince Alyce of his love and desire for marriage. I really enjoyed going back in time watching the dance numbers with George Burns and Gracie Allen.

FUN FACT:
The song "Put Me To The Test" was used as an instrumental in this film, but Ira Gershwin had written lyrics to it, and when the film "Cover Girl" was made in 1944, composer Jerome Kern fitted his own tune to the already existing lyrics, and the new song was sung and danced in that film by Gene Kelly.


Soundtracks:

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

"I Can't Be Bothered Now"
Words by Ira Gershwin
Music by George Gershwin
Song and dance performed by Fred Astaire

"The Jolly Tar and the Milkmaid"
Words by Ira Gershwin
Music by George Gershwin
Performed by Pearl Amatore, Betty Rome, Jack George, Fred Astaire, Jan Duggan,
Mary Dean, chorus

"Put Me to the Test"
Music by George Gershwin
Dance performed by Fred Astaire, George Burns, Gracie Allen

"Stiff Upper Lip"
Words by Ira Gershwin
Music by George Gershwin
Song performed by Gracie Allen
Dance performed by Fred Astaire, George Burns, Gracie Allen, chorus

"Things Are Looking Up"
Words by Ira Gershwin
Music by George Gershwin
Song performed by Fred Astaire
Dance performed by Fred Astaire, Joan Fontaine

"Sing of Spring"
Words by Ira Gershwin
Music by George Gershwin
Performed by Madrigal Singers

"A Foggy Day"
Words by Ira Gershwin
Music by George Gershwin
Performed by Fred Astaire

"Nice Work If You Can Get It"
Words by Ira Gershwin
Music by George Gershwin
Performed by Betty Rome, Jan Duggan, Mary Dean, Fred Astaire,
Pearl Amatore

"Ah! Che a Voi Perdoni Iddio (Ah! May Heaven to You Grant Pardon)"
from "Martha"
Music by Friedrich von Flotow
Performed by Reginald Gardiner dubbed by Mario Berini

"Nice Work If You Can Get It"
Instrumental reprise
Dance performed by Fred Astaire

Monday, February 15, 2010

A Little Promo...

Hey Dawn,

I spotlighted your blog over on my page. Hope you don't mind. Chick Flick Musicals is an awesome blog that more people should know about. Thanks for inviting me to be a contributor too. I appreciate it.

Saturday, February 13, 2010

RUTH ETTING- Singer





Ruth Etting , singing star and actress of the 1920s and 1930s, who had over sixty hit recordings and worked in stage, radio, and film. Her signature tunes were "Shine On Harvest Moon", "Ten Cents a Dance", and "Love Me or Leave Me". Her other popular recordings included "Button Up Your Overcoat", "Mean to Me", "Exactly Like You", and "Shaking the Blues Away."

She became a famous vocalist at the Marigold Gardens nightclub, and married gangster Martin "Moe the Gimp" Snyder on July 12, 1922. He managed her career, booking radio performances, and had her signed a recording contract with Columbia Records. She made her Broadway debut in the Ziegfeld Follies of 1927. She went on to perform in Simple Simon and Whoopee!. In Hollywood, she made a series of movie shorts between 1929 and 1936, and three feature movies in 1933 and 1934. In 1936, she appeared in London in Ray Henderson's Transatlantic.

FUN FACT:
Her life was the basis for the film, Love Me or Leave Me (1955).

Friday, February 12, 2010

LESLIE CARON




Caron was ballet dancer when Gene Kelly discovered her, and cast her to perform with him in the musical An American in Paris(1951), a role in which a pregnant Cyd Charisse was originally cast. This led to a MGM contract in films, The Glass Slipper (1955)

Also, the drama Gaby (1956). She also performed in the musicals Lili (1953), with Mel Ferrer; Daddy Long Legs(1955), with Fred Astaire, and Gigi (1958) with Louis Jourdan and Maurice Chevalier.

FUN FACT:

When she said to Fred Astaire that she wanted to create her own costumes for Daddy Long Legs (1955), he said, "OK, but no feathers, please". Astaire remembered one of Ginger Rogers costumes in a dance scene in Top Hat (1935). Some ostrich feathers came loose from Ginger Rogers' gown and floated around Astaire's face.

Good Morning with Singin in the Rain

Just wanted to start everyone off with a good morning as sung by Gene, Debbie, and Donald from Singin in the Rain. Enjoy and have a great Valentine's Day weekend everyone.

Thursday, February 11, 2010

DOLLFACE (1945)

DOLL FACE(1945). Romantic /comedy. Director: Lewis Seiles. Cast: Vivian Blaine, Dennis O'keeffe, Perry Como and Carmen Miranda.


When burlesque dancer Doll Face Carroll, auditions for a new Broadway show, she is turned down because she is told that she does not have enough class for a Broadway show. Mike, owner of the Gayety Theater, where she works, is insulted by Hartman's remarks. Mike stops by a local drugstore where he picks up a free copy of a book by Frederick Manly Gerard. Which gives Mike the idea that Doll Face should write her own autobiography called The Genius DeMilo. Mike, wants to hire Gerard as the ghostwriter of her book , he turns him down at first until he meets Doll Face. Chita Chula, is suspicious about Gerard's interest in Doll Face, but Mike tellS her she has nothing to worry about. Although, Mike does listen to Chita when she says that he might loose Doll Face if her book becomes successful. Mike then decides to produce a legitimate musical, starring Doll Face.

As time goes on, the performers rehearse the show and Gerard finishes the book. Gerard, who has fallen in love with Doll Face, tells her about his feelings. Mike, becomes jealous and says that the book should not be published, which angers Doll Face. Mike could not have imagined what happens next.

I loved the swing music, highlighting: Vivian Blaine, Perry Como, Carmen Miranda and Martha Stewart (no, not that one).
THE MOVIE DOLLFACE (1945)
FUN FACTS:

"True to the Navy" (written by Elsie Janis and Jack King), sung and danced by Carmen Miranda, was deleted from this movie. Paramount held rights to the song, and the studio would not permit Twentieth Century-Fox to include Miss Miranda's number in this movie. The song was performed on screen by 'Clara Bow' in Paramount On Parade (1930).

Soundtracks:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

"Somebody's Walking in My Dream"
(uncredited)
Music by Jimmy McHugh
Lyrics by Harold Adamson
Sung by Vivian Blaine at audition
Later sung and danced by Martha Stewart in finale

"Red Hot and Beautiful"
(uncredited)
Music by Jimmy McHugh
Lyrics by Harold Adamson
Sung by Perry Como and danced by chorus girls
Later sung by Vivian Blaine and male quartet

"Here Comes Heaven Again"
(uncredited)
Music by Jimmy McHugh
Lyrics by Harold Adamson
Sung by Perry Como
Later sung by Perry Como and Vivian Blaine in finale

"Dig You Later (A-Hubba Hubba Hubba)"
(uncredited)
Music by Jimmy McHugh
Lyrics by Harold Adamson
Sung by Perry Como and Martha Stewart, and later in finale

"Chico Chico"
(uncredited)
Music by Jimmy McHugh
Lyrics by Harold Adamson
Sung and Danced by Carmen Miranda, Bando da Lua and chorus

"The Parisian Trot"
(uncredited)
Music by Lionel Newman

Sunday, February 7, 2010

FRED ASTAIRE DANCE TRIBUTE.

RITA HAYWORTH DANCE CLIPS.


TO NIGHT AND EVERY NIGHT (1945)


Tonight and Every Night (1945) Musical. Cast: Rita Hayworth and Lee Bowman. Best Music, Original Song (for "Anywhere") and Best Music, Scoring of a Musical Picture. A highlight of the film is Hayworth in the "You Excite Me", a number often said to one of Hayworth's best performances.
The film takes place in a old music hall, which never misses a performance even during the height of the War. Five times a day, Rosalind and her group of dancers put on a show. Soon, a romance develops between Rosalind and RAF pilot Paul Lundy. The numbers are wonderfully staged. Also, one of the chorus girls is a slim Shelley Winters.

FUN FACT:

Rita Hayworth was pregnant during production. As a result, the musical numbers were filmed first, before the pregnancy began to show. As filming progressed, great care was taken to hide her growing belly with muffs, furniture and purses.

Soundtracks:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

"Tonight and Every Night"
Music by Jule Styne
Lyrics by Sammy Cahn
Sung by Rita Hayworth (dubbed by Martha Mears) in film's finale

"What Does an English Girl Think of a Yank?"
Music by Jule Styne
Lyrics by Sammy Cahn
Sung by Rita Hayworth (dubbed by Martha Mears)
Danced by Rita Hayworth, Jack Cole and dance chorus

"You Excite Me"
Music by Jule Styne
Lyrics by Sammy Cahn
Sung and Danced by Rita Hayworth (dubbed by Martha Mears)



"Anywhere"
Music by Jule Styne
Lyrics by Sammy Cahn
Sung by Janet Blair
Also played on xylophone by Professor Lamberti with Rita Hayworth dancing in the background

"Pop Goes the Weasel"
Traditional children's tune
Played on xylophone by Professor Lamberti

"Listen to the Mockingbird"
Music by Richard Milburn
Played on xylophone by Professor Lamberti

"Largo al factotum"
from "The Barber of Seville"
Music by Gioacchino Rossini
Lyrics by Cesare Sterbini
Played on the radio
Danced to by Marc Platt

"The Boy I Left Behind"
Music by Jule Styne
Lyrics by Sammy Cahn
Sung by Rita Hayworth (dubbed by Martha Mears) and Janet Blair

"Cry and You Cry Alone"
Music by Jule Styne
Lyrics by Sammy Cahn
Sung by Rita Hayworth (dubbed by Martha Mears)
Danced by Rita Hayworth, Marc Platt and chorus

Saturday, February 6, 2010

FLYING DOWN TO RIO (1933)




Flying Down to Rio (1933). Musical. Director: Thornton Freeland. Producer: Merian C. Cooper and Lou Brock. Music was composed by Max Steiner. Cast: Dolores del Río, Gene Raymond, Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers. The song "Carioca" was written for the film by composer Vincent Youmans and lyricists Edward Eliscu and Gus Kahn. The tango-song "Orchids in the Moonlight" sung by Raul Roulien.

Composer and womanizer Roger Bond and his orchestra are performing in Miami, with singer Honey Hales. Even though the assistant band leader Fred Ayres, has warned Roger, he leaves the stage to dance with the beautiful Belinha, sitting in the audience. Angry, Dona Elena, Belinha's chaperon, arranges for Roger and the band to be fired. Roger, who will not be stopped, takes the band and chases after Belinha all the way to Brazil, where they are hired to play at the Hotel Atlantico in Rio de Janeiro, owned by Belinha's father. Roger flies Belinha in his private plane, which he fakes engine trouble, forcing them to land on an island. While there, she tells him that she is already engaged to be married.

Back in Rio, during rehearsal, Fred is told by police that the hotel does not have an entertainment license. Roger sees a plane flying overhead, and comes up with the idea of strapping dancing girls to planes, with Fred leading the band.

Will the show be a great success for the hotel ?

Will Rodger celebrate with Belinha?




This film is known for the first pairing of dance partners Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers. Two unknowns who really smoked up the screen in a dance number called "The Carioca," which received such a wonderful reviews from critics and fans that they performed in nine other films.


Soundtracks:

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

"Music Makes Me"
(uncredited)
Music by Vincent Youmans
Lyrics by Gus Kahn and Edward Eliscu
Performed by Ginger Rogers

"Carioca"
(uncredited)
Music by Vincent Youmans
Lyrics by Gus Kahn and Edward Eliscu
Song performed by Alice Gentle, Movita and Etta Moten
Dance performed by Fred Astaire, Ginger Rogers, chorus

"Orchids in the Moonlight"
(uncredited)
Music by Vincent Youmans
Lyrics by Gus Kahn and Edward Eliscu
Performed by Raul Roulien
Danced by Fred Astaire and Dolores del Rio with Ensemble

"Music Makes Me"
(uncredited)
Instrumental reprise
Music by Vincent Youmans
Lyrics by Gus Kahn and Edward Eliscu
Sung by Ginger Rogers
Dance performed by Fred Astaire

"Flying Down to Rio"
(uncredited)
Music by Vincent Youmans
Lyrics by Gus Kahn and Edward Eliscu
Song performed by Fred Astaire
Dance performed by chorus

Monday, February 1, 2010

GOLD DIGGERS OF (1933)- PreCode.





Gold Diggers of (1933) Is a pre-code/musical. Director: Mervyn LeRoy. Songs by Harry Warren (music) and Al Dubin (lyrics). Choreographer: Busby Berkeley. Cast: Ruby Keeler, Dick Powell, Joan Blondell and Ginger Rogers and features Warren William, Guy Kibbee, Ned Sparks and Aline MacMahon.

Carol King, Trixie Lorraine and Polly Parker, three out-of-work showgirls are sharing a cheap New York City apartment, when Fay Fortune, tells them that Broadway producer Barney Hopkins, is putting on a new Broadway show. Carol brings Barney to their apartment, so the girls and Brad Roberts, an aspiring songwriter, can audition for the show. When Barney says that he has no backers, Brad offers to put up the money on the condition that Polly, performs in the show. Trixie and Carol, thinking that Brad, has no money to back the show and are worried that he has stolen the money. On opening night, Brad replaces one of the young actors and is recognized as Robert Bradford, the heir to a wealthy Boston family. When the news gets back to Brad's brother and the family banker, they come to New York to put stop to Brad's career and plans to marry Polly. Things become more complicated when Carol pretends to be, Polly.


A wonderful film where you see some of the best Berkeley numbers. The "Shadow Waltz" is gorgeous with all of the chorus girls in one of the best Art Deco dresses ever dreamed, as they play their neon violins... drifting on one very beautiful cloud. Sprinkled with wise cracks and good clean fun that will make you glad that you took a trip back in time.



Soundtracks:
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
"The Gold Diggers' Song (We're in the Money)"
(uncredited)
Music by Harry Warren
Lyrics by Al Dubin
Performed by Ginger Rogers and chorus

"Shadow Waltz"
(uncredited)
Music by Harry Warren
Lyrics by Al Dubin
Sung by Dick Powell, Ruby Keeler and chorus

"I've Got to Sing a Torch Song"
(uncredited)
Music by Harry Warren
Lyrics by Al Dubin
Sung by Dick Powell

"Pettin' in the Park"
(uncredited)
Music by Harry Warren
Lyrics by Al Dubin
Performed by Dick Powell, Ruby Keeler, Aline MacMahon, Billy Barty and chorus

"Remember My Forgotten Man"
(uncredited)
Music by Harry Warren
Lyrics by Al Dubin
Performed by Etta Moten, Joan Blondell (dubbed by an unknown singer) and chorus with spoken word by Joan Blondell

"Untitled"
(uncredited)
Music by Harry Warren
Played after Barney asks Brad if he has any other songs

"High Life"
(uncredited)
Music by Harry Warren
Played when Carol suggests that Lawrence thinks the dancing is vulgar

"Forgive Me for Loving You"
(uncredited)
Music by Harry Warren
Lyrics by Al Dubin
Written for the movie but not used