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I used to be ga-ga over Gene Kelly. Especially in a sailor outfit - gads I'm such a pushover for a sailor who can sing and dance - and 'Anchors Aweigh' remains one of my all-time favourite films.
But while I'll always have a soft spot for Gene, these days it's Fred Astaire who's stolen my heart.
While Gene is a great dancer, he just doesn't have the same light, nimble grace and poise of Fred. There just ain't nobody can dance like Fred can (no, not even Ginger). Fred has a cheeky charm, wit and presence all his own that has captured my imagination and set my heart a-flutter.
So now that my obsession with Fred Astaire is in full swing, I've decided to watch every one of his musical films (there are about 31 in total). I'm not going to watch them all at once, mind you, but over a semi-reasonable amount of time. So far I've seen 8:
- Top Hat
- Follow the Fleet
- Shall We Dance
- Swing Time
- Blue Skies
- Holiday Inn
- Royal Wedding
- The Band Wagon
Has anyone else out there ever done the Fred Astaire Filmography challenge? Would anyone like to join me? Drop me a line, I'd love to hear your tap-tastic thoughts and experiences.
I re-watched Swing Time just last night, and it's one of my favourites so far. Great dynamic between Fred and Ginger, plus some wonderful supporting characters and witty moments. Top Hat and The Band Wagon are up there as well - I find Michael Kidd's choreography in The Band Wagon utterly inspiring (as did Michael Jackson in his 'Smooth Criminal' homage to the film).
But I digress...
I love watching Fred dance, and his movies tend to have ridiculously silly love-story plotlines that provide a nice frothy escape for a few hours. Plus I love the outfits, and pick up a lot of costuming ideas (as well as choreography tips) from the films.
I particularly love one of the dresses that Ginger Rogers wears in the movie Swing Time, during the 'Pick yourself up' number. I had a look on the internet and couldn't find any sewing patterns modeled on it, so I'm going to try to make a pattern myself and sew something similar at some stage. I'd love a re-creation with a slightly shorter hemline - just below the knee would be perfect. I love the collar and the sleeves - so cute!
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That dress is so gorgeous!
I know! Isn't it just? I've added "make Ginger Rogers dress" to my never-ending list of sewing projects.
Oh my. . . I thought I was the only one insane enough to embark on a quest to see all of Fred's musicals.
You're in for a great, grand time.
The amazing thing is that almost all of them are pretty decent. I grew to appreciate Fred more as an actor, comedian and overall performer. Impeccable comic timing. And wonderfully loony at times. Several of the films are saved through the sheer force of his presence alone. True star quality if ever one needed an example.
Some were hard to find - on video only.
The Fred-Ginger box set is worth it. It comes with 4 great big posters of some of their movies.
Best of luck. I'll come back to see how you're doing on your quest.
Cowboyangel - you are definitely not insane. Well, at least you are in good company. I too am really appreciating Fred as a great comic actor/performer. His timing and delivery of certain wry dialogue paired with just the perfect facial 'look' is so impressive.
I'm looking more longingly at the Fred and Ginger box set. I had no idea you also got POSTERS. This is VERY enticing... I'll have to check my christmas budget to see if there's room for a 'gift to self'...
Amazon.com is actually offering the box set at half price right now. Obviously, that's Region 1 DVD, but you might check Amazon in your area to see if they have the same sale.
I've always loved that dress! Swing Time is one of my favourites of Astaire/Rogers films.
I agree, Swing Time is definitely one of the best Astaire-Rogers movies. I still indend to make a copy of Ginger's dress one day... *sigh*
My 8 year old daughter and I have fallen in love with Fred Astaire and we are also slowly making our way through his musicals. We have seen all of the Astaire/Rogers films as well as the two he did with Rita Hayworth (fantastic!) and the two he did with Bing Crosby. Broadway Melody of 1940, The Band Wagon, Funny Face, Silk Stockings, Second Chorus, Easter Parade, and Royal Wedding are all on the completed list. Its impossible not to smile when you see his movies.
Hi Stefan
Thanks for your comment. I can't think of a better father-daughter activity than watching Fred Astaire movies! I fell in love with old song-and-dance movies when I was a kid too and it's stayed with me.
You've ticked quite a few off your list! I've got one more Astaire/Rogers to go and then it's open season on the rest - although some of his others I have seen already. The Band Wagon is one of my favourites.
Keep in touch as you get through your list and we can compare notes. It will be interesting to see what favourites we choose.
We just added "The Belle of New York" and "Daddy Long Legs" to our list and I just ordered three movies that I am really looking forward to seeing: "Damsel in Distress", "Sky's the Limit" and "Let's Dance". We have also branched out to a few Gene Kelly pictures including "Singing in the Rain" and "An American in Paris". While Kelly is a wonderful dancer, he does not capture that same magic that Astaire simply oozes.
Hi Stefan,
Hey great to hear your progress on your own FAFC. I recently saw Funny Face with Fred and Audrey Hepburn, which I have to admit I did not like at all. Bring back Ginger!!
I was actually totally smitten with Gene Kelly before I discovered Fred Astaire. Didn't care much for American in Paris but Singing in the Rain is great - Donald O'Conner is wonderful in that film as well. I just love the Singing in the Rain dance sequence.
Gene Kelly is a great dancer and does have a certain charm - more in an overt way than Fred I think.
My favourite two movies of Kelly's are Anchors Aweigh (one of my all time favourite films) and On The Town, which both feature the main characters as 'sailors on shore leave' and make a nice double feature. Sinatra plays Kelly's sidekick in both and he's good value too.
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