Review of Top Hat (1935) by Calvin C — 23 Jul 2013

"Never again will a woman wear my dresses.".

One of the most successful dancing collaborations in film history is Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers. The two did 10 films together, and have delighted audiences for generations. Their most famous, Top Hat, which was my introduction to the Astaire-Rogers films, is a delightful and entertaining musical film.

Dancing entertainer Jerry Travers (Fred Astaire), while vacationing in London, annoys the wealthy Dale Tremont (Ginger Rogers) in the hotel room (He was dancing while she was trying to sleep.). Jerry manages to charm Dale with his singing and dancing, but things get complicated whrn Dale believes that Jerry is a married playboy.

Other actors appearing in the film include Helen Broderick as Madge, the woman whom Rogers beleves that Astaire is married to, Edward Everett Horton as Horace Hardwick, Astarie's business partner who's the real husband of Madge, Erik Rhodes as Beddini, an Italian swordsman who falls for Rogers, and Eric Blore as Bates, Astaire's servant who has weird mental issues (He calls himself "we" and "us".).

I've never been a huge fan of Fred Astaire. Prior to this, my only other experience with the famed actor and dancer was The Band Wagon, which was very overrated. Like with any actor, I decided to give him a second chance, with this experience being my first viewing of him and Ginger. To put it fair, Top Hat, believe it or not, was a delightful little musical.

Fred Astaire can dance. Ginger Rogers can dance. Put the two together and lightning strikes. Seriously, these two are the perfect couple. No wnder why the two did 10 films together. The choreography is spectacular and the songs, written by songwriting legend Irving Berlin, best known for writing the Bing Crosby hit "White Christmas," are big standouts. There's "Top Hat", "Isn't it a Lovely Day", "Piccolino", and the best number, "Cheek to Cheek", which delights in the score and the couple dancing.

As far as the acting goes, it's alright. Top Hat tries too much at trying to be a comedy and it doesn't always work. The scenes with the swordsman are decently funny, and were entertaining at best. Others, such as that creepy servant, were just too obnoxicious and felt like the pre-Jar Jar Binks of the day. At least Astaire and Roger's chemistry makes up for the bland comedy.

Despite some pretty bad comedy, Top Hat is a delightful and memorable musical, with wonderful Irving Berlin songs and incredible dancing from Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers. While the best classic musical choreographer is Gene Kelly, Top Hat was entertaining enough for me to check out more Astaire-Rogers films.