Rent Top Hat (1935)

The best of Astaire and Rogers. - Top Hat review by Steve Mason

 Fred and Ginger's first bespoke starring vehicle, and their best. It's a continental farce set in London and an extremely artificial art deco Venice with the classic device of mistaken identity keeping the two Americans abroad apart until the final reel.

 Fred handles the snappy quips pretty well, though Ginger is given little to do outside the dance spectaculars. The support cast is very much at home among the frou-frou of the plot, particularly Eric Blore as the unctuous valet of a bemused toff enacted by Edward Everett Horton. These two seem far more married than Horton does to his actual partner played by a wisecracking Helen Broderick.

 But of course, it most excels when Astaire and Rogers are dancing, particularly when they are together, and they have some wonderful Irving Berlin songs to present. The swing of Top Hat, White Tie and Tails with Fred backed by a male chorus line on a huge theatre stage is wonderful. The star dancing in his tails with a cane implies a whole world of elegance and class. But the pair performing Cheek to Cheek with Ginger in that fluffy feather dress has never been bettered, even by them. Their routines suggest pure romance, but imply their sexual rapport as well.

 Of course, Astaire's dancing is gorgeous, but it often comes as a surprise to be reminded just how great Rogers is too. This must have looked so untouchably glamorous to audiences going through the depression. No problem, this made a lot of money for RKO and the duo would become one of the most enduring images of the decade.