Today's Cinema Sunday post is about a movie I first saw in a film class in college about 40 years ago and recently saw again on TCM
Top Hat was released in 1935 and is considered the epitome of the classic Fred Astaire/Ginger Rogers partnership.
Warning: this movie may contain dancing. If you are allergic to dancing, please consult your doctor to see if Top Hat is right for you.
Fred Astaire plays a dancing American dancer named Jerry "the Dancer" Travers who dances his way to London to dance in a dancing show about dancing. Jerry meets Dale Tremont (Ginger Rogers) and hopes to dance his way into her heart by winning her affection with (get this) dancing.
After the dancing sensation of dancing Jerry's opening night of his dancing show in London with dancers and dancing, Jerry dances his way to Venice to continue to dance his way into Dale's heart. Dale dances away from Jerry who she thinks is some one else who is not a dancer even with all the dancing that Jerry dances.
Top Hat features songs by Irving Berlin including such beloved American classics like "Top Hat, White Tie and Tails" (about getting dressed up to go dancing) and "Cheek to Cheek" (being close to the one you love while, you know, dancing.
There is a lot of dancing in this movie.
First of all, Top Hat looks good. The black and white cinematography is crisp and sleek. Even without color, this movie has a sharp, modern feel about it.
Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers have an outstanding chemistry together, whether trading witty repartee or engaging in elaborate dance routines.
There is the assessment that Ginger Rogers is the superior dancer in that she could go everything Fred Astaire could do but backward and in high heels.
Edward Everett Horton is delightful as Horace Hardwick, the frequently befuddled producer of Jerry's dancing show. The comedy of errors that occurs when Dale thinks Jerry is Horace causes all sorts of problems for Horace, especially when is wife Madge gets looped in. Helen Broderick plays Madge brilliantly with a keen acerbic wit; it's a shame Helen doesn't get more time on screen.
Top Hat is a fun, well made movie. 85 years after it's release, it remains a joyful experience.
It may even make you feel like dancing.
Until next time, remember to be good to one another.
No comments:
Post a Comment