VHS : The Gay Divorcee [1934]

Rating: - My favourite Astaire and Rogers musical
Fred Astaire plays a dancer returning to England from a trip to Europe. At the docks he meets Ginger Rogers in an embarassing predicament. He tries to find out who she is, but she refuses to tell him, so he spends ages searching London for her before he tracks her down, and begins to charm her. Ginger Rogers and her dithery, much-married friend (Alice Brady) go down to a rather unrealistic and glossy Brighton because Ginger is attemtping to obtain a divorce. Astaire naturally follows with his friend, dithery lawyer Edward Everett Horton. she intends to spend the night with a professional co-respondent, and an unwitting remark by Astaire leads her to believe that he is the co-respondent, which puts her right off him. However, the real co-respondent, a little Italian, turns up ("Your wife is safe with Tonetti, he prefer spaghetti"), and the misunderstanding is sorted out. But what will happen in the morning when her husband arrives? This film has a wildly improbable but very funny plot, and some wonderful dialogue, particularly between Horton and Brady. The whole film is tremendous fun.

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Rating: - An early classic
This must be one of the best movies of the early 1930s. Although originally a highly popular Cole Porter stage musical, the film cut all of the songs save 'Night and Day', which became one of the best Astaire-Rogers dance routines. Astaire meets Rogers, falls in love at sight but then loses her: cue the catchy 'A Needle in a Haystack'. 'Don't Let It Bother You' and 'Let's Knock Knees' are perhaps a little inferior but the sixteen-minute dance marathon 'The Continental' more than makes up for them. The film's also a brilliant slapstick comedy, with several of the regular Astaire supporting actors such as Edward Horton and Erik Rhodes providing amusing sub-plots. And that's Betty Grable dancing in 'Let's Knock Knees!' A definite recommendation.

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Rating: - Dazzling dances!
This film is a definite must for all who love music and dance! Fred and Ginger's ability to light up the screen is truly amazing and watching any of their dances always practically leaves you in daze. This film is no exception to this and I would recommend it to everyone! Astaire and Rogers: Now thats dancing!