Search Results for: blog roberta 1935

Roberta (1935)

Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers star as chums from back in Indiana in this adaptation of an old novel, “Gowns by Roberta” by Alice Duer Miller. Huck Haines (Astaire) has taken his band, the Wabash Indianians, on an engagement at a café in Paris, only to find that the owner thought he was hiring a band of Indians and doesn’t want them anymore. Stranded with only seventeen dollars, the band doesn’t know what to do until Huck’s friend John (Randolph Scott) tells them that he has an aunt who lives in Paris and designs women’s dresses under the brand name … Continue reading →

The Major and the Minor (1942)

After reviewing “Never Been Kissed” last week and seeing that it’s considered a remake of “The Major and the Minor,” I decided I’d better see this film too, and compare them. Well, they’re both about a girl who pretends to be younger than she is and falls in love with an older man who is her mentor. And that’s where the similarities stop. But I did enjoy “The Major and the Minor” on its own merits. Ginger Rogers stars as Susan Applegate, a young woman who has left small-town farm life to come to New York to try to start … Continue reading →

Shall We Dance (1937)

In the classic Fred Astaire/Ginger Rogers film “Shall We Dance,” Astaire stars as Peter P. Peters, an American hoofer who has been masquerading as a Russian ballet star named Petrov. Having built up a fairly decent following for himself in Europe, he’s tired of the ballet scene and wants to do something different. Jeffrey, owner of the ballet troupe, is rather dismayed when he finds Peter tap dancing. Star of the stage Linda Keene (Ginger Rogers) has been touring Europe as well and it’s time for her to return to the States. The ballet troupe is sailing as well, and … Continue reading →

The Story of Vernon and Irene Castle (1939)

Vernon and Irene Castle were pioneers in ballroom dance and gave us such famous moves as “The Castle Walk.” Irene wrote two loving books in memory of her husband, and those books became the Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers movie, “The Story of Vernon and Irene Castle.” Irene was a consultant on the film and oversaw the production, although not everything was done to her liking, and she clashed quite a bit with Ginger Rogers over some of the costuming. When Vernon and Irene meet, he’s already somewhat established in show business and she wants to break into it. She … Continue reading →

Three Little Words (1950)

“Three Little Words” is loosely based on the true story of songwriters Bert Kalmar and Harry Ruby. Starring Fred Astaire as Bert Kalmar and Red Skelton as Harry Ruby, we start the movie with Fred as a song and dance man, engaged to his dance partner Jessie (Vera-Ellen). He keeps trying to interject some magic into the show, but she thinks they’re better off sticking with dancing. What she doesn’t know and what he doesn’t tell her is that he’s moonlighting at another theater as a magician. One night his regular assistant doesn’t show up, and he has to rely … Continue reading →

Silk Stockings (1957)

This is going to be another flippy-floppy review. On the one hand, “Silk Stockings” stars Fred Astaire and Cyd Charisse, so we know we’re in for some great dancing. On the other hand . . . well, I’ll tell you about it as we go. Astaire stars as Steve Canfield, producer of a Hollywood version of “War and Peace.” He has commissioned Russian composer Boroff to write the score, but now that Boroff is in Paris, where the filming will be done, he doesn’t want to go back to Russia. The Soviets send over three agents to investigate, and after … Continue reading →

Daddy-Long-Legs (1955)

When I reviewed the young adult novel “Daddy-Long-Legs” by Jean Webster last week, I recalled that a movie by the same name had been made, and I headed over to Amazon to find it. It arrived in yesterday’s mail, and I had a wonderful time last night watching it. As I expected, the movie was quite different from the book, so I don’t worry about repeating myself as I review the film. Jervis Pendleton (Fred Astaire) is a happy-go-lucky and slightly immature bachelor millionaire. He’s never been married, has never taken business very seriously, and is only kept on track … Continue reading →

Flying Down to Rio (1933)

Generally speaking, when one hears the word “wow,” one immediately thinks that the speaker is referring to something marvelous and wonderful. However, the word “wow” also can refer to something really bad. I regret to inform you that this “wow” I’m about to offer is of the latter variety. Wow. I rented “Flying Down to Rio” because it is the first movie Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers ever made together. Their star quality shines through the minute they appear on the screen – they’re the only actors in this film with any personality whatsoever. The problem is, theirs is a … Continue reading →

Finian’s Rainbow (1968)

I’m a huge Fred Astaire fan. I’m sure you’ve figured that out. But you know, I still haven’t quite decided what I think about “Finian’s Rainbow,” the last movie in which Fred Astaire had a dancing role. Finian McLonergan (Astaire) has emigrated from Ireland with his beautiful daughter Sharon (Petula Clark, who was nominated for Best Actress for this role). They are starting a whole new life for themselves in Rainbow Valley, Missitucky (of course, this is a made-up location, and a downright clever one, too!) Finian has a secret – he has a pot of gold, stolen from a … Continue reading →