Shall We Dance, 1937

Director: Mark Sandrich

Choreographer: Hermes Pan

Stars: Fred Astaire, Ginger Rogers, Edward Everett Horton, Eric Blore,

Pete Peters (Astaire), otherwise known as the great "Petrov", in the ballet world, lays eyes on dancer Linda Keene (Rogers), and falls in love. He hops aboard her ship to America, and trouble begins when rumors fly that the great Petrov has married the dancer Linda Keene. Now, Linda can't stand him.

When they reach New York, they are booked into the same hotel, quite accidentally, and they eventually figure that the best way to avoid scandal is to actually get married. This way, they can get a divorce right away and go their separate ways.

This one includes "They Can't Take That Away From Me", "Let's Call the Whole Thing Off" (and a dance on roller skates to go with it!), and "They All Laughed". This is my favorite of all the Fred and Ginger films. It's such a sweet story!

Swing Time, 1936

Director: George Stevens

Dance Director: Hermes Pan

Stars: Fred Astaire, Ginger Rogers, Victor Moore, Helen Broderick, Eric Blore

Gambler and dancer Lucky (Astaire) heads to New York so he can somehow scrounge up $25,000 to marry Margaret. But he accidentally meets dance teacher, Penny (Rogers), and falls for her instead. But Penny is annoyed with everything about him.

One common theme with Fred and Ginger and their movies is Ginger's impatience with Fred. Of course, we all know this means she's crazy about him. But it always takes her a bit of time to figure that one out.

The Pleasure of His Company, 1961

Director:George Seaton

Stars: Fred Astaire, Debbie Reynolds

Okay, just so we're clear, this isn't actually a musical! I know, it has Fred, and Debbie, but they only dance once or twice at a party. This is a drama/comedy. A dramedy.

Fred plays the very absent father of Debbie. He has been around the world, seeing the sights, living the life of pleasure. She has been home in San Fransisco, missing him, wondering what he is like, and also- falling in love with a man whose life is the opposite of her father's: a rancher who works hard or a living.

Then her father comes home for her upcoming wedding and turns everyone's life upside down. It is a bit emotional in the beginning, when he comes homes for the first time in 15 years, and father and daughter don't know each other at all. But I don't think the film dwells too much on it. It's an ok film with a cute ending. It felt like a rainy day film to me. Calm, generally happy, good ending.

I need to review some more Fred Astaire films soon!

FACT: In the party scene, there's a bunch of women who see Fred and Debbie dancing and want to dance with Fred, naturally! One of them is the woman who plays (the voice of) the evil step-mother in Disney's Cinderella, and Maleficent in Sleeping Beauty! I knew it the moment I heard her speak, and I just checked it- Eleanor Audley. I wouldn't want to be known for my evil voice, but oh, well!