Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers star in "Top Hat," a 1935 musical that also stars Eric Blore, Edward Everett Horton, and Helen Broderick. It's classic Astaire and Rogers all the way, right down to the mistaken identity plot. But the storyline is only an excuse to get to the meat of the film - the wonderful dancing, beautiful music, and Ginger's gorgeous gowns.
This is truly escapist entertainment with the dynamic duo dancing to "Cheek to Cheek" (further immortalized in "The Green Mile"), "The Piccolino" (done in one take), and "Isn't It A Lovely Day" while Fred sizzles in his "Top Hat" and "No Strings" solos.
Broderick, Blore, and Horton are a riot. The character of Alberto Beddini (Erik Rhodes) is a dress designer whose confections are to be worn by Ginger in Italy. In reality, the gowns were designed by Bernard Newman, and they are fantastic, including the controversial ostrich feather one used in "Cheek to Cheek" that earned Rogers the nickname "Feathers" from Astaire. It was worth him getting a few feathers in his face to get that dress on camera. Rogers herself stated that, "I wanted to wear it...and I did." Astaire and Rogers are perfect together in this and their other films. So few things in this life are certain. One thing is - watch Astaire and Rogers film, and you'll forget your troubles for a while.
This is truly escapist entertainment with the dynamic duo dancing to "Cheek to Cheek" (further immortalized in "The Green Mile"), "The Piccolino" (done in one take), and "Isn't It A Lovely Day" while Fred sizzles in his "Top Hat" and "No Strings" solos.
Broderick, Blore, and Horton are a riot. The character of Alberto Beddini (Erik Rhodes) is a dress designer whose confections are to be worn by Ginger in Italy. In reality, the gowns were designed by Bernard Newman, and they are fantastic, including the controversial ostrich feather one used in "Cheek to Cheek" that earned Rogers the nickname "Feathers" from Astaire. It was worth him getting a few feathers in his face to get that dress on camera. Rogers herself stated that, "I wanted to wear it...and I did." Astaire and Rogers are perfect together in this and their other films. So few things in this life are certain. One thing is - watch Astaire and Rogers film, and you'll forget your troubles for a while.