Top Hat

[SammyScrounge]

I've just finished watching this film for the umpteenth time. The plots are thin as gauze because they are only a vehicle for displays of dancing. There isn't any one who dances like Fred and Ginger. Costumes are marvellous : Ginger in satin or ostrich feathers - fabulous; the big spectacle dances in swirling skirts fabulous.
The white sets belong to the era and are glamorous and elegant. Scripts are witty and genuinely amusing spoken by a wonderful range of character actors.
I really enjoyed the magical flashing feet of Fred and Ginger again. Hopefully the BBC will show a number of their films

iPlayer has a nice little selection of classic films (from RKO) including Carefree and The Gay Divorce.

@CrossPurposes Thank you so much for the heads up. I can see I'm not going to be tidying cupboards.this weekend, not when Fred and Ginger are available!

I caught this late the other night had planned to go to bed but couldn't sleep and it was just for want of a better word just pure fun!

@MoreHairyThanScary The sheer exuberance of the dancing blows me away
I can't help smiling and tapping my feet. They were a wonderful couple.

I also love the Easter Parade and singing in the rain

@BusinessClass Singing in the Rain was.brilliant
But did Kelly have Astaire's classy elegance?

Fave scene from any Rogers/Astaire film?
The one where she gives dancing lessons and Fred,anxious to make her acquaintance, pretends he can't dance. Her boss arrives and to show him what he has learned from the instructor, Fred leads her into a spectacular dance, lifting her over a little railing and back again and over again...she was wearing a black dress with a whirly skirt...

Ended up watching some of this just now!

Actually, "Swing time" is probably my favourite Astaire/Rogers' movie. As you said, no plot but the style, the dancing and the clothes are all just incredible. I frequently imagine how it would be to swish and swirl in those beautifully cut skirts. Even the sets are stunning! Katharine Hepburn apparently said of the pairing: "He gives her class, and she gives him sex."

Fred Astaire also made a couple of good movies with Rita Hayworth who could dance like a dream, but together, whilst both wonderful, they just didn't make absolute magic like he did with Rogers. Hayworth was reputed to be his favourite partner as she would uncomplainingly practice as long as necessary.

With Gene Kelly, I always got the feeling that he was thinking "Wow, just look at me, Aren't I talented?" (which of course he was, and would have been perfectly justified thinking thus) while Fred Astaire often seemed like an otherworldly spirit.

@Tezza1 Ah, Rita and Ginger. Beautiful and talented Rita didn't t give Fred sex appeal, I suppose. She appeared pliant, had a vulnerable look about her but there was no spark with Fred. Ginger, on the other hand, had an edge to her, played characters who could wisecrack and stand up for herself. She challenged him with her cheek and brought him back down to earth.
As for Gene Kelly, I thought Donald O'connor was the better dancer but his nose was too long to make him a star. He could dance up walls though!

Gene Kelly. Much more of a muscular style. But for me, you can’t beat Fred’s effortless (looking) insouciance. Glorious.

@BitOutOfPractice I agree entirely. Fred is elegant. Gene looks like a PE instructor sometimes.