- Film Review
- Reviewed By Tony Sloman
-
4 out of 5
This was the last RKO teaming of its incomparable dance duo of Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers. They are cleverly cast here as their great predecessors the Castles, the foremost dance partners of the early 20th century, in a tale that took on new resonances at the outbreak of the Second World War. The period songs are spot on, though the ever-sophisticated Astaire and Rogers look nothing like the bunny-hugging Castles (Irene was critical of Ginger's impersonation), while the excellent Walter Brennan does his best playing a character who was actually black in real life. The scripting sometimes leaves a lot to be desired: did no one pick up the double entendres in the "Dutch cap" scene, or was it a deliberate wheeze? However, despite this minor criticism, Ginger looks swell and Fred dances divinely.
Plot Summary
Musical biopic starring Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers. When Vernon Castle, a clown in a vaudeville show, meets Irene Foote, a dancing legend is born. But tragedy is waiting in the wings.
Cast and crew
Cast
- Vernon Castle
- Fred Astaire
- Irene Castle
- Ginger Rogers
- Maggie Sutton
- Edna May Oliver
- Walter
- Walter Brennan
- Lew Fields
- Lew Fields
- Papa Aubel
- Etienne Girardot
- Mrs Foote
- Janet Beecher
- Emile Aubel
- Rolfe Sedan
- Artist
- Leonid Kinskey
Crew
- Director
- H C Potter
- Share this episode
-