SWING TIME swings into the Final Four of The Classic Musical Film Tournament

It was Swing Time edging out Top Hat 12-8 to take the 20's/30's era of The Favorite Classic Musical Film Tournament and land the first spot in the Final Four. With 4 films among the 16 competing in this era, Fred and Ginger had the best chances of having one of their films reaching the Final Four. Congratulations to Swing Time, as it is my favorite film the duo did. Now it must wait for the other three eras to see what films it will be competing with.

See I told ya Fred, we were gonna do good...now will you listen to me from now on?

It's Fred and Ginger vs Fred and Ginger for the first spot in the Final Four of the Favorite Classic Musical Film Tournament

It has come down to this...Fred and Ginger will be battling Fred and Ginger for the first spot in the final four of The Classic Musical Film Tournament. 3rd seed TOP HAT held off 2nd seed 42nd STREET 6-4 while 5th seed SWING TIME (my favorite of the duo's films) easily beat 8th seed FLYING DOWN TO RIO 10-1. I wonder who was the lone person that voted for Rio. Regardless, the final match is now set as Top Hat will take on Swing Time. Poll is open now and will run thru Thursday night 8 pm EST.

3 TOP HAT (1935)

VS

5 SWING TIME (1936)



Happy Birthday: Fred Astaire!

(May 10, 1899 – June 22, 1987), was a film and Broadway stage dancer, choreographer, singer and actor. His career spanned a total of 76 years, during which he made 31 musical films. He made 10 films with Ginger Rogers.

The video is from the film, The Sky's The Limit (1943). A musical comedy film with a wartime theme starring Fred Astaire, Joan Leslie, Robert Benchley, Robert Ryan and Eric Blore, with music by Harold Arlen and lyrics by Johnny Mercer. The film was directed by Edward H. Griffith. This video is the dance number named, One For My Baby: In this solo Astaire shows anger, frustration while trying to create as much noise as possible with his taps. The number took two and a half days to shoot. Astaire was sometimes criticised by other choreographers for having a limited range of emotions in his dancing, and it is possible that this routine was his response.

Royal Wedding (1951).

Royal Wedding (1951). Best known for Fred Astaire's dance performance on a ceiling and with a coat rack.



Cast: Fred Astaire, Jane Powell, Peter Lawford, Sarah Churchill and Keenan Wynn, with music by Burton Lane. Directed by Stanley Donen. It was his second film and the first film he directed by himself.

Tom and Ellen Bowen, are a famous brother and sister dance act who's agent books them a show in London during the same time as the, Royal Wedding. They travel by cruise ship where Ellen meets and falls in love with, Lord John Brindale. After they arrive, Tom runs into Anne on the street and she is surprised when she learns that he is the star of the show. Tom hires her for a part in the show and then asks her out that night for a date.

Anne tells Tom that she has always loved to dance and sometimes imagines herself dancing on the ceiling. Later she takes Tom to meet her American-hating father, who takes an instant liking to Tom. Anne tells Tom that she is engaged to American Hal Rayton, but agrees to go out with him again.

The day before the opening, Ellen is heartbroken when she learns Johnny, cannot be at the opening because he has to attend a party for the royal couple. Tom, is also upset because Anne, wants to stay home to wait for a call from Hal. Tom and Ellen decide to go to the party together. The next night, the show goes off without a hitch and Johnny is able to leave the royal party to be with Ellen.

Walking home, Tom takes a photograph of Anne from the hotel lobby up to his hotel room, Tom then imagines himself dancing on the ceiling.



The next morning, Ellen and Tom, read about their wonderful reviews. Before Edgar leaves, Tom asks him to call Irving in New York and see if he can find any information on Hal. Before the performance, Edgar tells Tom that Hal, has been married for several months.

At the hotel, Ellen and Tom talk each other out of getting married and agree to keep the show together. On the morning of the royal wedding, all of London is celebrating, except Tom and Ellen, who realize that they cannot be happy unless they get married. Tom goes off to find Anne and Ellen goes to find Johnny..

Pure marshmallow fluff here, but... if you love Fred Astaire and Jane Powell, you will love this movie.. One of the more under-rated musicals of the early-1950s.

Fun Facts:

Initially Ginger Rogers was asked, but she declined. Then June Allyson was signed for the role, but had to drop out when she became pregnant. Judy Garland was then signed as Ellen, but due to personal issues was fired from the film. Jane Powell replaced Garland.

The story was loosely based on the real-life partnership of Fred Astaire and his sister, Adele Astaire. In real life, Adele Astaire married Lord Charles Cavendish, son of the Duke of Devonshire, just as Jane Powell, playing Fred's sister, marries an English Lord at the end of this film.

Blue Skies (1946).

Blue Skies(1946). Cast: Bing Crosby, Fred Astaire, Joan Caulfield, Olga San Juan and Billy De Wolfe, with music, lyrics and story by Irving Berlin. Most of the songs came from earlier works. The film was directed by Stuart Heisler and produced by Sol C. Siegel.

As in Holiday Inn (1942), the film is designed to showcase the songs of Irving Berlin. The plot, which is presented in a series of flashbacks with Astaire as narrator, telling the story how Crosby won the heart of the leading lady through songs and dance numbers. I thought it was a very colorful and entertaining musical.

"All by Myself": Crosby performs this 1921 song to Caulfield, who harmonizes with him in the closing phrases.



"I'll See You In Cuba": A 1920 song performed as a duet by Crosby and San Juan.



"A Couple Of Song And Dance Men": A comic song and dance duet for Astaire and Crosby.



Fred Astaire and a chorus of Fred Astaires in "Puttin' on the Ritz" Although Berlin's 1930 song was originally written for vaudevillian Harry Richman, it has become associated with Astaire. In this tap solo with cane, which was widely billed as "Astaire's last dance". The routine was produced after the rest of the film had been completed, and according to Astaire, it took "five weeks of back-breaking physical work" to prepare.



"You Keep Coming Back Like a Song": Crosby performs this number.



"Blue Skies": Crosby sings this ballad, to Caulfield.





"How Deep Is The Ocean?": Crosby performs this 1932 song, backed by a female quartet.



"(Running Around In Circles) Getting Nowhere": Crosby sings this specially composed song to his daughter, played by Karolyn Grimes.



Fun Facts:

Draper was fired over either his impatience with Joan Caulfield, who was not a professional dancer, or his stutter. He was replaced by Fred Astaire.

This marked the second time that Irving Berlin's song "White Christmas" was used in a film.

Mark Sandrich, who directed several of the Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers films, was the original director, but he died suddenly of a heart attack.

This was Paramount's biggest hit of 1946.

Fred Astaire, then 47 years old, planned to retire as a leading man with this film. He was planning to only work with his dance studios and breed racehorses. The film Easter Parade (1948), having recently lost Gene Kelly to a broken ankle, brought Astaire out of retirement. He danced on film and on television until he was nearly 70.

One of over 700 Paramount Productions, filmed between 1929 and 1949, which were sold to MCA/Universal in 1958 for television distribution, and have been owned and controlled by Universal ever since.

After Fred Astaire announced his retirement after completing Blue Skies (1946), New York's Paramount Theater generated a petition of 10,000 names to persuade him to come out of retirement.

Three Little Words(1950).

Three Little Words(1950). Musical film biography of the Tin Pan Alley songwriting partnership of Kalmar and Ruby. Cast: Fred Astaire, Bert Kalmar, Red Skelton, Vera Ellen and Debbie Reynolds in a small role as singer. Harry Ruby served as a consultant on the project, and appears in a cameo role as a baseball-catcher.


One of Astaire's favourites, because of the vaudeville connection. As Hollywood film biographies it takes fewer liberties with the facts than usual, and Astaire and Skelton's onscreen portrayal of the partnership is complemented by a wonderful chemistry, some quality acting by both, and some fine comedy touches by Skelton. Two of the songs, "Thinking of You"


And "Nevertheless", became major hits.

In recognition of his acting performance here, Fred Astaire was awarded the first Golden Globe Award for Best Actor - Motion Picture Musical or Comedy in 1951.

Fun Facts:

Vocals for Debbie Reynolds were dubbed by Helen Kane.


Vocals for Vera-Ellen were dubbed by Anita Ellis.

The dress worn by Gale Robbins in the "All Alone Monday" number is the same dress worn by Ann Miller in the "Girl on the Magazine Cover" in Easter Parade (1948).

Soundtracks:

"Where Did You Get That Girl?"

Written Harry Puck, Bert Kalmar
Sung and Danced by Fred Astaire, Vera-Ellen (dubbed by Anita Ellis)

"She's Mine, All Mine"
Written by Harry Ruby, Bert Kalmar
Sung by quartet

"Mr. and Mrs. Hoofer at Home"
(uncredited)
Music by André Previn
Danced by Fred Astaire, Vera-Ellen

"My Sunny Tennessee"
Written by Harry Ruby, Herman Ruby, Bert Kalmar
Sung by Fred Astaire, Red Skelton

"So Long! Oo-Long (How Long You Gonna Be Gone?)"
Written by Harry Ruby, Bert Kalmar
Sung by Fred Astaire, Red Skelton

"Who's Sorry Now?"
Written by Harry Ruby, Bert Kalmar, Ted Snyder
Sung by Gloria DeHaven

"Test Dance"
(uncredited)
Music by André Previn
Danced by Fred Astaire

"Come on, Papa"
Written by Harry Ruby, Edgar Leslie, Bert Kalmar
Sung by Vera-Ellen (dubbed by Anita Ellis)
Danced by Vera-Ellen, chorus

"Nevertheless"
Written by Harry Ruby, Bert Kalmar
Sung by Fred Astaire, Vera-Ellen (dubbed by Anita Ellis), and Red Skelton
Danced by Fred Astaire, Vera-Ellen

"All Alone Monday"
Written by Harry Ruby, Bert Kalmar
Sung by Gale Robbins (later by Arlene Dahl)

"You Smiled at Me"
Written by Harry Ruby, Bert Kalmar
Sung by Arlene Dahl

"I Wanna Be Loved by You"
Written by Harry Ruby, Bert Kalmar, Herbert Stothart
Sung by Debbie Reynolds (dubbed by Helen Kane)

"Thinking of You"
Written by Harry Ruby, Bert Kalmar
Sung by Fred Astaire (later by Red Skelton)
Danced by Fred Astaire, Vera-Ellen

"I Love You So Much"
Written by Harry Ruby, Bert Kalmar
Sung by Arlene Dahl

"Three Little Words"
Written by Harry Ruby, Bert Kalmar
Sung by Fred Astaire (later by Red Skelton)

"You are My Lucky Star"
(uncredited)
by Nacio Herb Brown and Arthur Freed
Sung by Phil Regan

Swing Time (1936).

John "Lucky" Garnett is a gambler and dancer who, after showing up late for his wedding to Margaret, is told by her father that he must earn $25,000, in order to show that he is serious about marrying his daughter.. Lucky and his friend Cardetti catch the first train to New York, where Lucky meets Penny, a dance school instructor, and immediately falls in love with her. They are successful in the casino and on the dance floor.

SWING TIME, is the sixth teaming of Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers. I thought Swing Time was one of their most lavish and stylish films, with some wonderful songs and dance numbers.

Fred and Ginger - Swing Time

Eleanor Powell & Fred Astaire in Broadway Melody of 1940

Here's my redo of my lost post on Broadway Melody of 1940. I must start off by saying that Eleanor Powell is one of my favorite dancers. She is awesome and her dancing ability was phenomenal. If I had to list my favorite female dancers of all time, I think Powell would edge just ahead of Ginger Rogers. Powell made three Broadway films: 1936 with Jack Benny and Robert Taylor and 1938 with Taylor again. But for Broadway Melody of 1940, she got to dance with Fred Astaire for the first and only time. And they made movie magic.

The story has Fred as Johnny Brett and George Murphy as King Shaw, an unsuccessful dance team in New York, looking for their big break. Well, a producer for Broadway star Clare Bennett is looking for a new partner for Clare and sees the boys in action one night. And is immediately impressed with Johnny's dance skills. But through a misunderstanding..Johnny thinks the guy is a bill collector and gives him the name of his partner King, who thens gets the call to become Clare's new partner. And while King is a capable enough dancer, he is no Johnny. Clare becomes more interested in Johnny when she sees him during rehearsal one day and the two hit it off. Which off course creates tension between her, Johnny and King.

But during one night of their Broadway show, King comes in drunk and can't perform. Johnny fills in and does a magnificent job. By the end of the movie, the dance team has become a very successful trio. The dance scenes are electric and the promise of seeing Powell and Astaire together on film doesn't disappoint. Their legendary Begin the Beguine number has to be seen to be believed. It's amazing. Their dance routine was flawless. It's a shame that they didn't make more films together. But at least we have Broadway Melody of 1940 to watch over and over. Powell makes her moves seem so effortless that it is a pure joy to watch. Of course Fred is top notch as usual and this is one of his best dance pairings outside of Ginger. Their dance on the glass mirror floor is truly innovative and unbelievable.

Here are some notable facts about the film:

Planned to be shot in Technicolor, but made in black and white.


It had been reported that Fred Astaire was intimidated by Eleanor Powell because she was one of the few female tap dancers capable of out-performing him.

Follows The Broadway Melody (1929), Broadway Melody of 1936 (1935) and Broadway Melody of 1938 (1937). Another film in the series was planned, "Broadway Melody of 1943" starring Eleanor Powell and Gene Kelly. However, that project was abandoned, and a dance number filmed by Eleanor Powell was edited into Thousands Cheer (1943).

Here is the Begin the Beguine clip from Broadway Melody of 1940:

Broadway Melody(1940)

Broadway Melody(1940). Cast: Fred Astaire, Eleanor Powell and George Murphy.  Directed by Norman Taurog and features music by Cole Porter.

The film was the fourth and final film in MGM's "Broadway Melody" series, and is the only on-screen pairing of Astaire and Powell, who were thought to be the finest movie musical dancers of their time.

The story begins when,  Johnny Brett and King Shaw, work as a dance team in a dance hall. Because of a mistaken identity, Shaw gets offered the job to be Clare's dancing partner in a new Broadway show, when it was really Johnny's dancing that caught producer Bob Casey eye. The partnership breaks up, but Johnny stays to help out Shaw.

Videos: Rita Hayworth and Fred Astaire.

Rita Hayworth & Fred Astaire in two great 40's musicals...

You'll Never Get Rich (Columbia Pictures) is a 1941 Hollywood musical comedy film with a wartime theme starring Fred Astaire, Rita Hayworth, Robert Benchley, Cliff Nazarro, with music and lyrics by Cole Porter. The film was directed by Sidney Lanfield.
This was Hayworth's first starring role in a big budgeted film from her home studio Columbia Pictures. While the film was in production Life Magazine put her on its cover, and featured inside a photo of Hayworth kneeling on a bed in a nightgown, which soon became one of the most widely distributed pin-ups of all time. Hayworth, a talented and sensual dancer of astonishing natural grace and beauty, cooperated enthusiastically with Astaire's intense rehearsal habits, and was later to remark: "I guess the only jewels in my life are the pictures I made with Fred Astaire". The picture was very successful at the box office, turning Hayworth into a major star, and provided a welcome boost to Astaire who felt his career had flagged since breaking with Ginger Rogers.

One of the film's songs, Since I Kissed My Baby Goodbye, was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Song.

You Were Never Lovelier (Columbia Pictures) is a 1942 Hollywood musical comedy film, set in Buenos Aires. It starred Fred Astaire, Rita Hayworth, Adolphe Menjou and Xavier Cugat, with music by Jerome Kern and lyrics by Johnny Mercer. The film was directed by William A. Seiter.


This, the second of Astaire's outings with Hayworth, avoids wartime themes, and benefits from lavish production values – a consequence of the box-office success of the earlier You'll Never Get Rich. Kern here created a memorable standard with "I'm Old Fashioned", and there is a faultless trio of classic dance routines. Initially, Kern was unhappy about the selection of Cugat and his orchestra; however, when production was complete, he was so pleased with the band's performance that he presented him with a silver baton. Although Hayworth had a fine voice, Harry Cohn insisted on her singing being dubbed throughout by Nan Wynn.

The film follows the usual conventions established by Astaire in his earlier musicals, such as an anti-romantic first meeting between the two leads, a virtuoso dance solo for Astaire, a playful dance duet and a romantic dance duet.

Broadway Melody Films (1929-1940)

The highly entertaining Broadway Melody films which starred the super talented Eleanor Powell in three of the four films are some of the best musicals that premiered during the 30's. I love all of them and decided to do a post about them.

First up is The Broadway Melody (also known as The Broadway Melody of 1929) is a 1929 American musical film and the first sound film to win an Academy Award for Best Picture. It was one of the first musicals to feature a Technicolor sequence, which sparked the trend of color being used in a flurry of musicals that would hit the screens in 1929-1930. Today the Technicolor sequence is presumed lost and only a black and white copy survives in the complete film. The film was the first musical released by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer and was Hollywood's first all-talking musical.

The film was written by Norman Houston and James Gleason from a story by Edmund Goulding, and directed by Harry Beaumont. Original music was written by Arthur Freed and Nacio Herb Brown, including the popular hit "You Were Meant For Me". The George M. Cohan classic "Give My Regards To Broadway" was also given its talkie debut in the film. Bessie Love was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Actress for her performance.

The plot involves the romances of musical comedy stars, set against the backstage hubbub of a Broadway revue. Anita Page and Bessie Love play a vaudeville sister act who have come to New York for their big break on Broadway. Charles King plays the song-and-dance man whose affection for one sister (Harriet alias Hank) is supplanted by his growing love for the younger, more beautiful sister (Queenie). Queenie tries to protect her sister and derail the love triangle by dating a wealthy but unscrupulous "stage door Johnny."

The second film is Broadway Melody of 1936 released by MGM in 1935. It was a follow up of sorts to the successful The Broadway Melody, which had been released in 1929, although, beyond the title and some music, there is no story connection with the earlier film.



The film was written by Harry W. Conn, Moss Hart, Jack McGowan and Sid Silvers. It was directed by Roy Del Ruth and starred Jack Benny, Eleanor Powell, and Robert Taylor. It was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Picture

Irene Foster (Eleanor Powell) tries to convince her high school sweetheart Broadway producer Robert Gordon (Robert Taylor) to give her chance to star in his new musical, but he is too busy with the rich widow (June Knight) backing his show. Irene tries to show Gordon that she has the talent to succeed, but he will not hire her. Things become complicated when she begins impersonating a French dancer, not realizing that the dancer is the invention of a gossip columnist (Jack Benny).

Next is Broadway Melody of 1938 is a 1937 musical film, produced by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer and directed by Roy Del Ruth. The film is essentially a backstage musical revue, featuring high-budget sets and cinematography in the MGM musical tradition. The film stars Eleanor Powell and Robert Taylor and features Buddy Ebsen, George Murphy, Judy Garland, Sophie Tucker, Raymond Walburn, Robert Benchley and Binnie Barnes.

Young horse trainer Sally (Eleanor Powell) befriends Sonny (George Murphy) and Peter (Buddy Ebsen), who have been hired to look after a horse her family once owned. Concerned for the horse's well-being, she sneaks aboard a train taking the horse and its caretakers to New York City. En route she meets talent agent Steve Raleigh (Robert Taylor) who, impressed with her dancing and singing, sets her on the road to stardom and romance blossoms between the two. A subplot involves a boarding house for performers run by Sophie Tucker, who is trying to find a big break for young Judy Garland.

The film is most notable for young Garland's performance of "You Made Me Love You (I Didn't Want to Do It)", a tribute to Clark Gable which turned the teenage singer, who had been toiling in obscurity for a couple of years, into an overnight sensation, leading eventually to her being cast in The Wizard of Oz as Dorothy.



And finally Broadway Melody of 1940 is a 1940 MGM movie musical starring Fred Astaire, Eleanor Powell and George Murphy. It was directed by Norman Taurog and features music by Cole Porter, including "Begin the Beguine".

The film was the fourth and final entry in MGM's "Broadway Melody" series of films, and is notable for being the only on-screen pairing of Astaire and Powell, who were considered the finest movie musical dancers of their time.

Johnny Brett (Fred Astaire) and King Shaw (George Murphy) are a dance team so down on their luck they're working in a dance hall, while Clare Bennett (Eleanor Powell) is a big Broadway star. Due to a case of mistaken identity, Shaw gets offered the chance to be Clare's dancing partner in a new Broadway show, when it was really Johnny's dancing that befuddled producer Bob Casey (Frank Morgan) saw and wanted. The partnership breaks up, but Johnny sticks around to help out Shaw, who lets his newfound success go to his head. Clare eventually realizes that Johnny is the real deal, not Shaw, and she falls in love with him. When Shaw gets drunk on opening night, Johnny steps in and saves the show with a brilliant performance.

Newsreels of Ginger Rogers and Fred Astaire.

Newsreels of Ginger making imprints at Grauman's Chinese Theater 1939,
receiving her Academy Award 1941,
Fred dancing and introducing his sister Adele at the Stage Door Canteen in London 1944,
Fred dancing on the streets of Paris 1944,
Fred and Ginger at the Oscar's 1967 (mute) and more.

Astaire & Rogers in the 30's

Definitely one of the best dance teams ever to grace the silver screen. Fred Astaire started dancing in the early 1900s as kid on stage and Vaudeville and made his first movie in 1933 where he had a small role. The movie was Dancing Lady starring Clark Gable and Joan Crawford. Ginger Rogers made her first appearance in a 1929 short movie then made feature Pre-Code movies with Warner Brothers Pictures such as 42nd Street and Gold Diggers of 1933. Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers made their first pairing in a movie in 1933, Flying Down to Rio. In Flying Down to Rio Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers had a supporting role, but was in the movie good enough, the main star was Dolores Del Rio. In 1934 Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers made the musical movie The Gay Divorcee which co-starred Edward Everett Horton, it was their first starring role in a movie, the movie also featured the Cole Porter classic song Night and Day. The song The Continetal was too a big hit song from the movie and was also the first song to win the Academy Award for Best Original Song in the 1935 Academy Awards Ceremony for 1934.

Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers made two movies in 1935 Roberta which featured the song I Won't Dance and Top Hat which also co-starred comedian Edward Everett Horton. In Roberta, Fred and Ginger had a supporting role with Irene Dunne starring. In Top Hat, Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers had a starring role. The whole movie had a Irving Berlin musical score with all new songs for the time. The most famous number in Top Hat is the Cheek to Cheek song and dance. It was also the first profitable movie RKO Radio Pictures made in the 1930s.

By 1936 Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers were big box office names. That year they made another 2 movies together: Swing Time and Follow the Fleet which were both hits. Swing Time is the movie that introduced the song The Way You Look Tonight where Fred Astaire sang the song to Ginger Rogers. The stair dance scene was very hard for Fred and Ginger to get right the first time and took them a number of times to film which was the case in some of their movies. The big thing about Follow the Fleet was that it had a Irving Berlin music score (Irving Berlin was uncredited for writing music for this film for some reason). Follow the Fleet was also a appealing movie to most audiences like Swing Time.


1937 for Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers featured only one movie that year Shall We Dance which co-starred Edward Everett Horton. That was also a good movie to most audiences. Shall We Dance featured the song They Can't Take That Away From Me which, like many of the songs Fred and Ginger sang in their movies, became a big hit. The end of Shall We Dance featured a big musical stage show like lots of musicals at the time.

In 1938 like 1937 Fred and Ginger only made one movie together that year, Carefree. Carefree was originally going to be shot in color by Technicolor, but screen tests in color weren't successful, so that was out and they would just film Carefree in regular black and white, but eleven years later Fred and Ginger would make The Barkleys of Broadway a M-G-M color (Technicolor) musical. This movie also had a Irving Berlin musical score with only 4 songs, the least songs any Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers movie had. Fred Astaire had refused to sing the song Yam because he thought it was silly so Ginger Rogers would sing the song and Fred danced with her.


In 1939 what is to be considered Hollywood's greatest Year Fred and Ginger only made one movie that year, The Story of Vernon and Irene Castle. This movie was a musical biography of ballroom dancers Vernon and Irene Castle. The Story of Vernon and Irene Castle was Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers last movie movie with RKO Radio Pictures and their last movie they would make with each other in ten years for the reason that Ginger Rogers wanted more Dramatic roles in movies. So Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers went their own way for ten years.

You Were Never Lovelier (1942).

You Were Never Lovelier(1942). Comedy, set in Buenos Aires. Cast: Fred Astaire, Rita Hayworth, Adolphe Menjou and Xavier Cugat, with music by Jerome Kern and lyrics by Johnny Mercer. Directed: William A. Seiter.

This is the second of Astaire's performances with Hayworth. With beautiful production numbers: "I'm Old Fashioned", and a trio dance routines. When production was complete, he was so pleased with Cugat and his orchestra performance that he presented him with a silver baton. Hayworth had a wonderful voice, Harry Cohn insisted on her singing being dubbed by Nan Wynn.

The story begins with Robert Davis, as an American dancer who is looking for a job in Buenos Aires after losing all his money gambling. Bob's friend, bandleader Xavier Cugat, invites him to perform at a wedding to addition for the bride's father, Eduardo Acuña, who owns a local nightclub.

Acuña begins sending orchids and love notes to her from an unknown suitor, with the hope that she will eventually find the love of her life. One day, Bob delivers the note and flower. Maria, sees Bob leaving and believes that he is her secret admirer. Maria asks her father to introduce them. He makes a deal with Bob: in exchange for performing at the club, Bob will play the part of the secret admirer and upset Maria with his obnoxious behavior.

The plan backfires and the two quickly fall in love. Angry Acuña orders Bob to leave Buenos Aires and composes a farewell love note. Acuña's wife sees him writing the note and suspects him of cheating on her. How will they clear up this terrible misunderstanding?

Rita Hayworth, was absolutely beautiful in this film. She and Fred dance wonderfully to one of my favorite Jerome Kern ballads, I'm Old Fashioned.

FUN FACTS:
Features a 15-year-old Fidel Castro as an extra.

Rita Hayworth's favorite film of her own.


Soundtracks:

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"You Were Never Lovelier"
(1942) (uncredited)
Music by Jerome Kern
Lyrics by Johnny Mercer
Played during the opening credits and often as background music
Played by the Xavier Cugat Orchestra and sung by Fred Astaire
Danced by Fred Astaire and Rita Hayworth at the anniversary party
Danced by Fred Astaire and Rita Hayworth at the end and sung by an offscreen chorus

"Chiu, Chiu"
(uncredited)
Written by Nicanor Molinare
Played by Xavier Cugat and His Orchestra and sung and danced by Lina Romay,
Miguelito Valdés and chorus

"Bridal Chorus (Here Comes the Bride)"
(1850) (uncredited)
from "Lohengrin"
Written by Richard Wagner
Played by Xavier Cugat and His Orchestra at the wedding

"Dearly Beloved"
(1942) (uncredited)
Music by Jerome Kern
Lyrics by Johnny Mercer
Played by Xavier Cugat and His Orchestra and sung by Fred Astaire at the wedding
Reprised by Rita Hayworth dancing and singing (singing dubbed by Nan Wynn)
Played as background music often

"Wedding in the Spring"
(1942) (uncredited)
Music by Jerome Kern
Lyrics by Johnny Mercer
Played on piano and sung by Leslie Brooks and Adele Mara
Reprised by Xavier Cugat and His Orchestra) and sung by Lina Romay and chorus,

"Audition Dance"
(uncredited)
Music is a collection of themes
Played by Xavier Cugat and His Orchestra and danced by Fred Astaire

"Los Hijos de Buda"
(uncredited)
Written by Rafael Hernández and Noro Morales
Excerpts played for the Audition Dance
Played by Xavier Cugat and His Orchestra and danced by Fred Astaire


"Bim Bam Bum"
(uncredited)
Written by Johnnie Camacho and Noro Morales
Excerpts played for the Audition Dance
Played by Xavier Cugat and His Orchestra and danced by Fred Astaire

"Hungarian Rhapsody No.2 in C Sharp Minor"
(1847) (uncredited)
Written by Franz Liszt
Excerpts played for the Audition Dance
Played by Xavier Cugat and His Orchestra and danced by Fred Astaire

"Eco"
(uncredited)
Written by Gilbert Valdes
Excerpts played for the Audition Dance
Played by Xavier Cugat and His Orchestra and danced by Fred Astaire

"These Orchids"
(1942) (uncredited)
Music by Jerome Kern
Lyrics by Johnny Mercer
Played as background music for orchid deliveries
Played by Xavier Cugat and His Orchestra and sung by the orchid delivery boys



"I'm Old Fashioned"
(1942) (uncredited)
Music by Jerome Kern
Lyrics by Johnny Mercer
Sung by Rita Hayworth (dubbed by Nan Wynn) and Fred Astaire
Danced by Fred Astaire and Rita Hayworth
Played as background music at the anniversary party

"The Shorty George"
(1942) (uncredited)
Music by Jerome Kern
Arranged by Lyle 'Spud' Murphy
Lyrics by Johnny Mercer
Played by Xavier Cugat and His Orchestra and sung by Fred Astaire and Rita Hayworth and an offscreen chorus
Danced by Fred Astaire and Rita Hayworth

Happy!! Easter Parade(1948).

Easter Parade(1948). Musical. Cast: Judy Garland, Fred Astaire and Ann Miller. featuring music by Irving Berlin, including some of Astaire and Garland's best-known songs, such as "Steppin' Out With My Baby" and "We're a Couple of Swells."

Loved the three musical scenes: first, Ann Miller's tap dance 'Shakin' the Blues Away'. Not only a great song, but a wonderful dance number. Then there is Fred in the toy shop ( blog video). The timing of the dance is fun to watch. Lastly, 'Down the Avenue' is a very cute song. I laugh every time I see Judy Garland and Fred Astaire dressed up as bums!! There are a few laughs, but I mainly watch this movie for the dance numbers. It is a perfect way to celebrate Easter.

The film won the 1948 Academy Award for Best Scoring of a Musical Picture. It also received the Writers Guild of America Award for Best Written American Musical. It was the most successful picture for both Garland and Astaire.

Gene Kelly was originally cast to play Don, but he broke his ankle in a volleyball game. It was his suggestion that he be replaced by Fred Astaire. Cyd Charisse was to play Nadine, but a torn ligament in her knees forced her to drop out. She was replaced by Ann Miller.

Soundtracks:

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"Happy Easter"
(uncredited)
by Irving Berlin
Performed by Fred Astaire
Performed also by Fred Astaire and Judy Garland

"Drum Crazy"
(uncredited)
by Irving Berlin
Sung and Danced by Fred Astaire

"It Only Happens When I Dance With You"
(uncredited)
by Irving Berlin
Sung by Fred Astaire
Danced by Fred Astaire and Ann Miller
Performed also by Judy Garland

"Everybody's Doin' It"
(uncredited)
by Irving Berlin
Performed by chorus

"I Want to Go Back to Michigan"
(uncredited)
by Irving Berlin
Sung by Judy Garland

"Beautiful Faces Need Beautiful Clothes"
(uncredited)
by Irving Berlin
Danced by Fred Astaire and Judy Garland

"A Fella with an Umbrella"
(uncredited)
by Irving Berlin
Sung by Peter Lawford and Judy Garland

"I Love a Piano"
(uncredited)
by Irving Berlin
Sung by Judy Garland
Danced by Fred Astaire and Judy Garland

"Snooky Ookums"
(uncredited)
by Irving Berlin
Sung and Danced by Fred Astaire and Judy Garland

"Ragtime Violin"
(uncredited)
by Irving Berlin
Sung by Fred Astaire
Danced by Fred Astaire and Judy Garland

"When the Midnight Choo Choo Leaves for Alabam'"
(uncredited)
by Irving Berlin
Sung and Danced by Fred Astaire and Judy Garland

"Shakin' the Blues Away"
(uncredited)
by Irving Berlin
Sung and Danced by Ann Miller

"Steppin' Out with My Baby"
(uncredited)
by Irving Berlin
Sung by Fred Astaire
Danced by Fred Astaire and Chorus

"A Couple of Swells"
(uncredited)
by Irving Berlin
Sung and Danced by Fred Astaire and Judy Garland

"The Girl on the Magazine Cover"
(uncredited)
by Irving Berlin
Sung by Richard Beavers
Danced by Ann Miller

"Better Luck Next Time"
(uncredited)
by Irving Berlin
Sung by Judy Garland

"Easter Parade"
(uncredited)
by Irving Berlin
Sung by Judy Garland, Fred Astaire

"Call Me Up Some Rainy Afternoon"
(uncredited)
Written by Irving Berlin
Played as second number by orchestra in restaurant as Nadine and Don reminisce

Puttin' on the Ritz.

Follow the Fleet (1936).

Follow the Fleet(1936). Musical/comedy. A film with a nautical theme and stars Fred Astaire, Ginger Rogers, Randolph Scott, Harriet Hilliard, and Astrid Allwyn, with music and lyrics by Irving Berlin. Lucille Ball and Betty Grable also perform, in supporting roles. Director:Mark Sandrich with script by Allan Scott and Dwight Taylor based on the 1922 play Shore Leave by Hubert Osborne.The fifth (of ten) dancing partnership of Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers.



FOLLOW THE FLEET (RKO Radio, 1936), directed by Mark Sandrich, marks the fifth pairing of Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers, and one of their top musicals with a wonderful score by Irving Berlin, also the composer of TOP HAT (1935). Reworking the formula from their earlier performance, ROBERTA (1935), Astaire and Rogers not only share screen time with another couple closer to their own age, but are characters already know each from the start. Unlike ROBERTA, Astaire and Rogers have equal status with the other couple played by Randolph Scott (of ROBERTA) and Harriet Hilliard (making her screen debut). Another change to the series is Astaire switching his elegant top hat, white tie and tails for a sailor's uniform.

The story begins with Bake Baker and Bilge Smith who are shipmates in the U.S. Navy who are looking forward to going on shore leave. Bake reunites with Sherry Martin, his former dancing partner now working at the Paradise Club. Sherry's sister, Connie, a schoolteacher, comes to visit her sister at the club, and gets a head to toe makeover. Soon after, Connie goes looking for Bilge, who had earlier ignored her on their first meeting. Now with with her new look, Bilge become interested in her. Once Connie mentions something about "wanting a husband at the helm," Bilge gets cold feet. while saying good by, he meets Iris Manning, a society girl who later takes him back to his ship, causing him to be late from leave. Connie, who has salvaged her late father's ship for Bilge soon finds out that he has moved on. Sherry has troubles of her own with Bake.

Of the musical numbers my favorite are, "Let's Face the Music and Dance". It's a production number in a Monte Carlo setting with their signature costumes, Rogers in elaborate dress with bell-type sleeves. Harriet Hilliard has two solos. "Where Are You?" is a beautiful love song.

Look closely for a young Tony Martin as one of the sailors, and Lucille Ball as a blond Kitty Collins.

Soundtracks:

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"We Saw the Sea"
(uncredited)
Written by Irving Berlin
Performed by Fred Astaire and chorus

"Let Yourself Go"
(uncredited)
Written by Irving Berlin
Performed by Ginger Rogers and chorus





"Get Thee Behind Me, Satan"
(uncredited)
Written by Irving Berlin
Performed by Harriet Hilliard

"Let Yourself Go"
(uncredited)
Instrumental Reprise
Dance performed by Ginger Rogers

"I'd Rather Lead a Band"
(uncredited)
Written by Irving Berlin
Song performed by Fred Astaire
Dance performed by Fred Astaire, chorus

"But Where Are You?"
(uncredited)
Written by Irving Berlin
Performed by Harriet Hilliard

"I'm Putting All My Eggs in One Basket"
(uncredited)
Written by Irving Berlin
Song and dance performed by Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers

"Let's Face the Music and Dance"
(uncredited)
Written by Irving Berlin
Song performed by Fred Astaire
Dance performed by Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers

Dance the "Continental" with a: Gay Divorcee (1934).

The Gay Divorcee (1934) Based on the musical play Gay Divorce. Written by Dwight Taylor, Kenneth S. Webb, Samuel Hoffenstein. Screenplay by George Marion Jr., Dorothy Yost and Edward Kaufman, from an unproduced play by J. Hartley Manners. Director: Mark Sandrich. The movie is a  musical/comedy. This was the second of the Rogers and Astaire musicals; Flying Down to Rio (1933) was the first. It included the popular dance team of Fred Astaire and a 23-year-old Ginger Rogers, and also starred Alice Brady, Edward Everett Horton, Eric Blore and Erik Rhodes. It is the first of the series to feature Ginger and Fred as the main attraction.

Famous dancer Guy Holden and his best friend, lawyer Egbert Fitzgerald, are in London continuing their vacation. While waiting on the dock, Guy sees Mimi having problems with her dress, which is caught in one of her aunt Hortense's trunks, and offers his help. Unfortunately, Guy pulls too hard and tears her dress. Mimi accepts his coat and his card, angry about her dress runs away without telling him her name or address. Mimi returns the coat anonymously through a hotel bellboy, hurting guys feelings, who is now in love with her. Guy drives the streets of London in search of Mimi and by chance crashes into her car. Mimi takes off, but Guy in hot pursuit catches up with her. After he proposes to her, Mimi tells Guy she cannot see him again, but accepts his telephone number and promises to call.

Later, Hortense, who was once engaged to Egbert, brings Mimi to Egbert's law offices to discuss divorce proceedings. Informing him that Mimi's husband is a neglectful geologist, has refused to grant Mimi a divorce, Egbert advises that a professional co-respondent be hired. Unaware that Mimi is the love of Guy's life, Egbert convinces his friend to join him at the seaside resort, Brightbourne, where the co-respondent is to meet with Mimi. In Brightbourne, Egbert meets Rodolfo Tonetti, a weird Italian co-respondent, and tells him that his "password" with Mimi will be "Chance is the fool's name for fate," a line spoken earlier by Guy. That night, while Tonetti searches the hotel for Mimi, whom he has never seen, Guy spots Mimi in the hotel restaurant and immediately picks up where he left off. However, when Guy says the line about fate, Mimi assumes that he is her co-respondent and grows instantly cold toward him.

The story then goes into a wonderful song and dance number."The Continental", a twenty-two minute production number.



Over the weekend I added the Astaire and Rodgers DVD Collection to my DVD Collection. The first movie I watched was The Gay Divorcee. I thought this movie was beautiful . I do not think there is a more perfect dance than "Night and Day"....or a more beautiful song to dance to. I do not think I have seen Erik Rhodes perform in a film before. He is hilarious as the paid correspondent. Edward Everett Horton is wonderful as the sidekick and his dance with a very young Betty Grable is fun to watch. The art deco sets and great 30's clothes are wonderful and made me wish for a time when everybody wore evening dresses.

FUN FACTS:

The musical number "The Continental" lasts 17 1/2 minutes, the longest number ever in a musical until Gene Kelly's 18 1/2-minute ballet at the end of An American in Paris (1951) 17 years later.


The jumpsuit that Betty Grable wears in the "Let's Knock Knees" dance number was a garment previously worn by Dolores del Rio in Flying Down to Rio (1933).


The second (of ten) dancing partnership of Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers.

Soundtracks:

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"Don't Let It Bother You"
Written by Harry Revel (music), Mack Gordon (lyrics)
Song performed by chorus
Dance performed by Fred Astaire

"A Needle in a Haystack"
Written by Con Conrad (music), Herb Magidson (lyrics)
Song and dance performed by Fred Astaire

Let's K-nock K-neez"
Written by Harry Revel (music), Mack Gordon (lyrics)
Song performed by Betty Grable and Edward Everett Horton
Dance performed by Betty Grable, Edward Everett Horton, chorus

"Night and Day"
Written by Cole Porter
Song performed by Fred Astaire
Dance performed by Fred Astaire, Ginger Rogers

"The Continental"
Written by Con Conrad (music), Herb Magidson (lyrics)
Song performed by Fred Astaire, Ginger Rogers, Erik Rhodes, Lillian Miles
Dance performed by Fred Astaire, Ginger Rogers, chorus

"The Continental"
Written by Con Conrad (music)
Instrumental reprise
Dance performed by Fred Astaire, Ginger Rogers