Review of Top Hat (1935) by Lanning : — 28 Sep 2006
Horace Hardwick: You mean to sit there and tell me that that girl slapped your face in front of all those people for nothing? Jerry Travers: Well, what would you have done? Sold tickets? Really, friends, is there any better dance duo in screen history than Rogers and Astaire? It is difficult to believe that this move is over 70 years old.
Aside, obviously, from the visual look of the film due to technological reasons, this could have been made yesterday. The chemistry between the two is mesmerizing, even though they apparently were not great friends.
They dance like they're in love; it's a wonder they didn't end up together. Just to throw some balance into the flixster synopsis. I personally don't find the story "silly." The word I would use is charming.
Charming in the tradition of a comedy of manners. That chemistry between Rogers and Astaire carries over into their non-dancing moments as well. They can exchange lines, looks, and gestures with the best actors, and that fine acting carries the whole story to a higher level per force.
Special praise for the performances of Erik Rhodes and, especially, Eric Blore as the butler of all butlers. And of course, flixsters, it's Irving Berlin. What could be better?
This review of Top Hat (1935) was written by Lanning : on 28 Sep 2006.
Top Hat has generally received very positive reviews.
Was this review helpful?
