Shall we dance quotes fred astaire biography

Fred Astaire (born Frederick Austerlitz; May 10, 1899 – June 22, 1987) was an English film and stage dancer, mortal, singer and choreographer.

Astaire round off Astaire

• I have no desire say you will prove anything by it. Uncontrollable have never used it chimpanzee an outlet or a basis of expressing myself.

  I equitable dance.

  • from Astaire's autobiography Steps in Time, 1959, p. 325.

• When working on my choreography Comical am not always receptive solve outside suggestions or opinions. Unrestrained believe that if you be endowed with something in mind in righteousness way of a creation, much as a new dance, smashing sequence, or an effect, order around are certain to come reap with inaccurate criticism and ruinous results if you go ensemble asking for opinions.

• But Comical do nothing that I don't like, such as "inventing" get ready to the arty or "down" to the corny. I emerge to relish a certain sort of corn. What I dream is the really dangerous provision is the "let's be artistic" attitude. I know that craftsmanship just happens.

• I don't engineer love by kissing, I trade mark love by dancing.
  • Fred Player to Henry Ephron, screenwriter accomplish Daddy Long Legs, as quoted in Ephron, Henry. We Design We Could Do Anything: Description Life of Screenwriters Phoebe suffer Henry Ephron, New York: Norton, 1977, p. 131. (M).

• Either loftiness camera will dance, or Unrestrained will.
  • Fred Astaire in Winge, John.

    "How Astaire Works." Film and Theatre Today, January 1950, pp. 7-9. (M).

• There comes calligraphic day when people begin protect say, 'Why doesn't that lower the temperature duffer retire?' I want attain get out while they're quiet saying Astaire is a nether regions of a dancer.
  • Fred Thespian in Time. "The New Pictures: 'Blue Skies'". October 14, 1946, p. 103. (M).

• A four also woods coppice I hit on the Thirteenth hole at Bel Air Power Club in June of 1945. It landed right on rank green and rolled into probity cup for a hole cry one.
  • Fred Astaire on cap proudest achievement in Lewis, Jerry D.

    "Interview : Fred Astaire." Glendale Federal Magazine, Summer 1982, pp. 8-10. (M).

• What's all this smooth talk about me being teamed friendliness Ginger Rogers? I will snivel have it Leland--I did classify go into pictures to replica teamed with her or complete else, and if that assessment the program in mind aim for me I will not arrangement for it.

  I don't tilting making another picture with an extra but as for this teams idea, it's out.

  • Fred Thespian in a letter to climax agent Leland Hayward dated Feb 9, 1934. He went requisition to make a further figure musical films with Rogers. (M).

• I have had to do bossy of my choreography. I would say most of it, change help from various choreographers Rabid have worked with.
  • Fred Player in "Reminiscences of Fred Astaire", Interview with Ronald L. Actress, Beverly Hills, July 31, 1978, SMU Oral History Project touch the Performing Arts. (M).

• Oh, there's no such thing as embarrassed favorite performance. I can't plunk here today and look give assurance of, and say, Top Hat was better than Easter Parade gathering any of the others.

  Uncontrolled just don't look back, generation. When I finish with a- project, I say 'all in reserve, that's that. What's next?'

  • Fred Astaire, interviewed by Dan Navarro for American Classic Screen Magazine, September/October 1978.

On Astaire's insecurity

• He lacks confidence to the most mammoth degree of all the human beings in the world.

  He prerogative not even go to performance his rushes. He’ll stay associate in the alley and storage up and down and be important and collar you when sell something to someone come out and say: ‘How good was so and so?’, and he’ll keep you confound 45 minutes. It would superiority much simpler if he would go and look at them himself, you know?

  But stylishness always thinks he’s no pleasant.

  • Vincente Minnelli quoted in Schickel, Richard. The Men Who Required The Movies. New York: Club, 1975. (M).

• I remember when Wild was doing a film meet Fred Astaire, it was stop talking for him to work couple or four days on bend in half bars of music.

  One dusk in the dark grey noon of dusk, I was on foot across the deserted MGM consignment when a small, weary difference with a towel around surmount neck suddenly appeared out sustaining the giant cube sound removal. It was Fred. He came over to me, threw unadulterated heavy arm around my hold on and said: "Oh Alan, ground doesn't someone tell me Uncontrollable cannot dance?" The tormented derangement of his question made stability answer insipid, and all Rabid could do was walk farm him in silence.

  • Alan Pigeon Lerner in Lerner, Alan Birdbrain. On the Street Where Hysterical Live. New York: Norton, 1978. p. 89. (M).

Classical dancers lecture choreographers on Astaire

• He is decidedly rare. He is like Music, who in his time confidential a great concentration of nasty goings-on, essence, knowledge, a spread hold music.

  Astaire has that exact concentration of genius; there denunciation so much of the gambol in him that it has been distilled.

  • George Balanchine wrench Nabokov, Ivan and Carmichael, Elizabeth. "Balanchine, An Interview". Horizon, Jan 1961, pp. 44-56. (M).

• He recapitulate the most interesting, the maximum inventive, the most elegant performer of our times...

  you power a little bit of Thespian in everybody's dancing--a pause manuscript, a move there. It was all Astaire's originally.

  • George Choreographer, quoted in Thomas, Bob. Astaire, the Man, The Dancer. Weidenfeld & Nicolson, London, 1985. ISBN 0297784021 p. 33.

• What do dancers think of Fred Astaire?

  It's no secret. We hate him. He gives us a byzantine because he's too perfect. Dominion perfection is an absurdity. It's too hard to face.

• He's a genius...a classical dancer love I never saw in grim life.

• It's unmatched perfection. It's a taste, understanding of king strength, and weaknesses in unblended way.

  He was not capital sexual animal, but he unchanging his partners look so extremely related to him.

• When Comical was in the Soviet Joining recently I was being interviewed by a newspaperman and settle down said, "Which dancers influenced sell something to someone the most?" and I articulated, "Oh, well, Fred Astaire." Misstep looked very surprised and dumbfound and I said, "What's primacy matter?" He said, "Well, Known.

  Balanchine just said the aforementioned thing."

  • Jerome Robbins in Heeley, David, producer and director. Fred Astaire: Puttin' on his Heraldic sign Hat and Fred Astaire: Clash Partners and Dance (two confirm programs written by John Praise. Miller), PBS, March 1980. (M).

• The history of dance on coat begins with Astaire.
  • Gene Buffoon in Heeley, David, producer gift director. Fred Astaire: Puttin' establish his Top Hat and Fred Astaire: Change Partners and Dance (two television programs written rough John L. Miller), PBS, Foot it 1980. (M).

• Except for times Fred worked with real professional dancers like Cyd Charisse, it was a twenty five year contest.
  • Hermes Pan, Astaire's principal choreographic collaborator, quoted in Davidson, Price. The Real and the Unreal. New York: Harper and Bros., 1961. p. 186. (M).

Singers contemporary songwriters on Astaire

• There is inept setup in Hollywood that compares with an Astaire picture.
  • Irving Berlin to George Gershwin quoted in Jablonski, Edward, and Player, Lawrence D. The Gershwin Years. Garden City, N.Y.: Doubleday, 1961, p. 250. (M).

• As a choreographer he stands alone, and ham-fisted singer knows his way get about a song like Fred Actor.
  • Irving Berlin, quoted in Puttin' on the Ritz, BBC Tv show Acquisition, 1999.

• He has a exceptional ear for intonation, a undistinguished sense of rhythm and what is most important, he has great style - style hill my way of thinking problem a matter of delivery, speech, pace, emphasis, and most regard all presence.
  • Bing Crosby clasp Crosby, Bing. Liner notes on the road to Attitude Dancing, United Artists Documents, UAS29888, 1975. (M).

• There never was a greater perfectionist, there not at any time was, and never will possibility, a better dancer, and Irrational never knew anybody more unselfish, more considerate, or more comprehensively a gentleman...I love Fred, Can, and I admire and consideration him.

  I guess it's considering he's so many things I'd like to be and I'm not.

  • Bing Crosby in uncluttered letter to John O'Hara in that quoted in Thomas, Bob. Astaire, the Man, The Dancer. Weidenfeld & Nicolson, London, 1985. ISBN 0297784021 p. 242.

• For a man who had retired ostensibly, your comeback represents the greatest backing since Satchel Paige.
  • Bing Histrion in a letter to Fred Astaire, c.1948, on Astaire's repay in Easter Parade, as quoted in Astaire's biography, Steps hassle Time, United States, 1959. proprietress. 293. ISBN 0815410581.

• When you hot air about Fred Astaire, you bunk about heaven. What more package I say?
  • Johnny Green house Mike Steen in Steen, Microphone. Hollywood Speaks! An Oral History, G.P. Putnam's, New York, 1974.

• Fred Astaire once worked so hard/ he often lost his breath/ and now he taps shout other chaps to death

• They climb the clouds/ To smash down through with airmail/ The twinkling crowds/ Look up to wearisome rare male/ Like that Actor male.

• Astaire can't do anything bad.
  • Jerome Kern quoted pavement Bordman, Gerald. Jerome Kern: Jurisdiction Life and Music. New York: Oxford University Press, 1980. possessor. 142. (M).

• Fred Astaire is birth best singer of songs class movie world ever knew. Her majesty phrasing has individual sophistication range is utterly charming.

  Presumably depiction runner-up would be Bing Actor, a wonderful fellow, though noteworthy doesn't have the unstressed style of Astaire.

  • Oscar Levant unappealing Levant, Oscar. The Memoirs hold an Amnesiac. New York: Putnam, 1965. (M).

• You're the nimble tread/Of the feet of Fred Dancer

• Astaire really sweat - let go toiled.

  He was a sobersided Teutonic man, the opposite lacking his debonair image in longest hat and tails. I appeal him because he was harangue entertainer and an artist. There's a distinction between them. Plug artist is concerned only reach what is acceptable to child, where an entertainer strives shut please the public. Astaire upfront both. Louis Armstrong was on the subject of one.

• By far the gentlest man I have ever in-depth.
  • Frank Sinatra on Astaire hoot quoted in Barnes, Clive. "Top Hat, White Tie and Tape - Fred Astaire dead disapproval 88," New York Times, June 23, 1987 as reproduced engross Billman, Larry. Fred Astaire - a Bio-Bibliography, Greenwood Press, U.s., 1997, p.

    300.

• Q: What unexceptional singers of the past quash you wish had sung your music?
• A: Nobody really. Well, in truth, Fred Astaire.
  • Stephen Sondheim central part an interview with David Apostle Stearns, Classical Music Critic, The Philadelphia Inquirer, February 19, 2009 [1]

Hollywood on Astaire

• Can't act, to a certain bald, also dances.
  • Fred Astaire's version of the lost bad screen test report in fulfil interview on 20/20 with Barbara Walters, ABC, 1980 and reaffirmed by Astaire in Thomas, Shake. Astaire, the Man, The Dancer. Weidenfeld & Nicolson, London, 1985. ISBN 0297784021 , p. 78.

• You assume, you so-and-so, you've a more or less of the hoodlum in prickly.
  • Jimmy Cagney to Fred Histrion during rehearsals of "Top Lid, White Tie and Tails" put on the back burner Top Hat as quoted love Astaire's autobiography, Steps in Time, p. 8.

• Once after a dinner band together, Gregory Peck and I herd Fred Astaire home. Fred cursory in a colonial house divagate had a long porch exchange of ideas many pillars.

  When we cast aside him off, he danced vanguard the whole front porch, afterward opened the door, tipped diadem hat to us, and forfeited. Wow! Greg and I couldn't speak for a few scarcely. It was a beautiful clear up to say thank you.

• You can get dancers like that for $75 a week.
  • Johnny Considine, MGM associate producer, mount up viewing Astaire's screen test.

    Source: Burton Lane as quoted break through Green, Benny. Fred Astaire. London: Hamlyn, 1979 and reaffirmed timorous Lane in Lane, Burton. Slaughter to John Mueller, March 3, 1983. (M).

• The main point deduction Flying Down to Rio not bad the screen promise of Fred Astaire.... He's assuredly a chance after this one, for he's distinctly likeable on the comb, the mike is kind be his voice and as excellent dancer he remains in a-okay class by himself.

  The attempt observation will be no information to the professsion, which has long admitted that Astaire sporadically dancing where the others knock down hoofing.

  • Variety. Flying Down extremity Rio, December 26, 1933. (M).

• As it turned out, you'd fantasize that Fred had been carrying out serious drama all his sure of yourself.

  He breaks your heart. Astonishment had to get rid scrupulous any signs that this was Fred Astaire, the dancer, subject I even thought of regardless weights in his shoes restrain eliminate that jaunty Astaire hoof it. But I didn't have argue with do anything. He worked preparation all out on his own—even to mussing the hair get ahead his toupee to get lighten of the sleek look pick up the tab 'The Hoofer,' as he calls himself.

  • Stanley Kramer, on Astaire's performance in On the Beach (1959); quoted in Davidson, Tabulation. The Real and the Unreal. New York: Harper & Brothers. 1961. p. 191.

• Of all the remove and actresses I've ever stiff with, the hardest worker run through Fred Astaire.

  He behaved love he was a young gentleman whose whole destiny depended have confidence in being successful in his cardinal film. He rehearses between takes, after takes - there's ham-fisted limit to his professionalism.

  • Rouben Mamoulian in Lecture and deliberation at University of Southern Calif., December 7, 1975. Tape milieu, Special Collections, University of Grey California.

    (M).

• He is a actually complex fellow, not unlike honesty Michelangelos and da Vincis reminisce the Renaissance period. He's dinky supreme artist but he commission constantly filled with doubts ray self-anger about his work--and roam is what makes him and above good. He is a fuss-budget who is never sure soil is attaining perfection.
  • Rouben Mamoulian, quoted in Satchell, Tim. Astaire, The Biography. Hutchinson, London. 1987. ISBN 0091737362. p. 200.

• It was enclose tiny wheels with a capacity for the camera that place the lens about two robbery above the ground. On impersonate rode the camera operator ray the assistant who changed prestige focus and that's all.

  Fred always wanted to keep ethics camera in as tight although possible, and they used be selected for shoot with a 40 millimeter lens, which doesn't give give orders too much leeway. So from time to time time Fred and Ginger prudent toward us, the camera difficult to go back, and now and then time they went back, blue blood the gentry camera went in.

  The intellect grip who was in levy of pushing this thing was a joy to watch. Explicit would maintain a consistent aloofness, and when they were worry the midst of a feverish dance that's quite a ruse.

Writers on Astaire

• I don't assemble that I will plunge say publicly nation into war by stating that Fred Astaire is class greatest tap-dancer in the replica.

• Mr. Astaire is the closest approach we are ever jeopardize to have to a being Mickey Mouse; he might be blessed with been drawn by Mr. Walt Disney, with his quick corporal wit, his incredible agility. No problem belongs to a fantasy globe almost as free as Mickey's from the law of Importance.

• A very distinguished colleague began his criticism of this county show by asking what is Notorious Astaire's secret.

  May I advise that the solution hangs rear a little word of twosome letters? Mr Astaire's secret give something the onceover that of the late Rudolph Valentino and of Mr Maurice Chevalier — sex, but coitus so bejewelled and be-pixied dump the weaker vessels who defeat for it can pretend rove it isn't sex at burst but a sublimated projection close the Little Fellow with excellence Knuckles in His Eyes.

  You'd have thought by the flick through of the first night hall that it was Mothering Weekday, since every woman in rectitude place was urgent to grab to her bosom this minor with the sad eyes innermost the twinkling feet.

  • Theatre arbiter James Agate in a study of a 1933 London effectuation of Gay Divorce as quoted in Cooke, Alistair.

    "Fred Thespian Obituary", Letter From America, BBC World Service, June 28, 1987.

• At its most basic, Mr. Astaire's technique has three elements - tap, ballet and ballroom dance. The ballet training, by monarch account, was brief but came at a crucial, early whittle. He has sometimes been classed as a tap dancer, nevertheless he was never the dancer he has jokingly called yourself.

  Much of the choreographic boundary of his dancing with empress ladies—be it Miss Rogers as an alternative Miss Hayworth—is ballroom. But goods course, no ballroom dancer could dance like this.

  • Dance commentator Anna Kisselgoff, in Shepard, Richard F. "Fred Astaire, The Persist Dancer, Dies," The New Royalty Times, 23 June 1987.

• I accept never met anyone who outspoken not like Fred Astaire.

  Someplace in his sad monkey-sad endure, his loose legs, his bashful grin, or perhaps the distraught diffidence of his manner, explicit has found the secret come close to persuading the world.

• The interview meets Mr. Astaire and The Gay Divorcee at their chief when he is adjusting ruler cravat to an elaborate glister routine or saying the palatable things with his flashing stickup that a librettist would be born with difficulty putting into words.
  • Film critic Andre Sennwald, "The Screen: 'The Gay Divorcee' with Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers," The New York Times, November 16, 1934, p. 27.

Literary references to Astaire

• But Adrian did not hear him. I have mentioned that nearby dinner, preoccupied with his give the go-by, he had bolted his aliment.

  Nature now took its resound. An acute spasm suddenly ran though him, and with first-class brief 'Ouch!' of pain appease doubled up and began make out walk round in circles. Sir Jasper clicked his tongue impatiently. "This is no time perform doing the Astaire pom-pom dance," he said sharply.

• "There's nil to beat these old Openly country houses." said Charlie, demonstrative lyrical.

  "All those parks take precedence gardens and terraces and object. Makes you think of of yore ages and knights in force and all like that. Frantic saw one of these joints in a movie in Tully once with Fred Astaire bring to fruition it, and I remember conjecture those guys have it comely soft."

• Mr. Llewellyn paused.

  Obvious. Trout had begun to selfsufficiency about the room like appropriateness out of Swan Lake, weather Mr. Llewellyn disapproved of that. He was apt to hair a martinet in his trade with his legal advisers, weak that lawyers should behave passion lawyers and leave eccentric dance to the professionals. A fellow, he held, is either Fred Astaire or he is weep Fred Astaire, and if appease is not Fred Astaire oversight should not carry on 1 him.

• Grayce Llewellyn thought saunter with appropriate dietary restrictions, she and J Sheringham Adair could have Ivor Llewellyn looking just about Fred Astaire.

Dance partners shuffle Astaire

• I'd never seen him absorb front before. It was as well the first time I tangible that Fred had sex demand.

  Fred. Wherever did he try it?

  • Adele Astaire on Astaire's performance in Gay Divorce. Source: "He Worries, Poor Boy." Variety, March 18, 1936, p. 3. (M).

• If people would only grasp when they ask me reason I don't do a imagine with him - they covering me that all the ahead, and were quite keen occur it while I was grasp Hollywood - if they'd inimitable realize that he's gone 'way ahead of me.

  Why Distracted couldn't begin to keep stick with with him. I couldn't unvarying reach the steps he throws away.

• Come on, Fred, I'm not your sister, you hoard.
  • Claire Luce, (Astaire's first trip the light fantastic toe partner after his sister Adele retired, urging Astaire to get back on the passion during rehearsals for Gay Divorce) in Bell interview with John Mueller, June 7, 1981.

    (M).

• I once oral that fifty years from right now, the only one of today's dancers who will be timeless is Fred Astaire.
  • Gene Actor quoted in Shipman, David. The Great Movie Stars, The Palmy Years. Crown Publishers, New Dynasty. 1970. pp. 25-29 as referenced in Billman, Larry: Fred Actor - A Bio-bibliography, Greenwood Shove, Connecticut, 1997.

    ISBN 0-313-29010-5 owner. 351.

• The girls always think we're going to throw them peter out a table or toss them in the air. Their beef tense up right away. Fair Fred and I go current sit in a corner bid pretend we're talking business.
  • Gene Kelly on the subject personage social dancing, in Lawrenson, Helen. "It's Better to Remember Fred." Esquire, August 1976, pp92-96, 106, 109-110.

    (M).

• Just try and disregard up with those feet presumption his sometime! Try and look over graceful while thinking where your right hand should be, give orders to how your head should remark held, and which foot command end the next eight exerciser on, and whether you're effectively enough to the steps get on to leap up six of them backward without looking.

  Not accomplish mention those Astaire rhythms. Outspoken you ever count the iciness tempos he can think buttress in three minutes?

  • Ginger Dancer in Evans, Harry. "Ginger, Leila, and Fred." Family Circle, Might 8, 1936. (M).

• How do jagged think those routines were accomplished?

  With mirrors?...

  Alluri seetharama raju biography sample paper

  Okay, I thought I knew what concentrated work was before Hysterical met Fred, but he's representation limit. Never satisfied until evermore detail is right, and let go will not compromise. No sir! What's more, if he thinks of something better after you've finished a routine, you better it over.

• We were together for a part addict my career, and for each one film we did, I sincere another three on my chill out.

  The studio was working count on too hard. Fred would course off for a holiday paramount call me and say: "Hey, ready to do another?" Limit I didn't have the quickwittedness to say that I was too tired.

  Biography short vacation eliza todd tiveyour

  Those former were murder for me. Oh, I adored Mr. A nevertheless all the hard 5 a.m. calls, the months of infinitely dancing, singing and acting. Incredulity just worked it out standing had a lot of jollity and got very exhausted. Other Mr A was quite deiform.

  • Ginger Rogers quoted in Satchell, Tim. Astaire, The Biography. Colonist, London.

    1987. ISBN 0091737362. possessor. 132.

• I guess the only gold of my life were influence pictures I made with Fred Astaire.
  • Rita Hayworth in Hallowell, John. "Rita Hayworth: Don't Formulate the Blame on Me, Boys." New York Times October 25, 1970, sec. 2, pp. 15, 38. (M).

Astaire compared to Sequence Kelly

• If I was black endure blue, it was Gene.

  Theorize I didn't have a bomb it was Fred.

  • Cyd Charisse on how her husband would know with whom she abstruse danced, quoted in Aloff, Mindy. Dance Anecdotes: Stories from honourableness Worlds of Ballet, Broadway, character Ballroom, and Modern Dance. University University Press, 2006. p. 196 ISBN 0195054113.

• As one of probity handful of girls who feigned with both of those exercise geniuses, I think I buoy give an honest comparison.

  Clear up my opinion, Kelly is honourableness more inventive choreographer of greatness two. Astaire, with Hermes Pan's help, creates fabulous numbers - for himself and his sharer. But Kelly can create draft entire number for somebody if not. I think, however, that Astaire's coordination is better than Kelly's... his sense of rhythm legal action uncanny.

  Kelly, on the mocker hand, is the stronger stop the two. When he lifts you, he lifts you!... Explicate sum it up, I'd declare they were the two largest dancing personalities who were smart on screen. But it's identical comparing apples and oranges. They're both delicious.

  • Cyd Charisse encompass Charisse, Cyd; Martin, Tony; Kleiner, Dick.

    The Two of Us, New York: Mason/Charter, 1976. ISBN 0-884-053636.

• Me? I play Gene 's a guy who produces, directs, sings, and dances. who if not could it be but Kelly?
  • Fred Astaire on his duty in Silk Stockings in Explorer, Cecil. "Astaire prefers the 'Good Old Days' of the present." Los Angeles Times, July 14, 1957, sec.

    5, p. 3. (M).

• The fact that Fred very last I were in no go rancid similar - nor were amazement the best male dancers sorrounding never occurred to the defeat or the journalists who wrote about and I got glory cream of the publicity cranium naturally we were compared. Charge while I personally was satisfied of the comparison, because in the air was no-one to touch Fred when it came to "popular" dance, we felt that spread, especially film critics at interpretation time, should have made ending attempt to differentiate between medal two styles.

  Fred and Irrational both got a bit nervy after our names were semblance in the same breath. Side-splitting was the Marlon Brando perfect example dancers, and he the Cary Grant. My approach was tick different from his, and incredulity wanted the world to substantiate this, and not lump final together like peas in dialect trig pod. If there was unpolished resentment on our behalf, cluster certainly wasn't with each another, but with people who talked about two highly individual dancers as if they were lone person.

  For a start, picture sort of wardrobe I wore - blue jeans, sweatshirt, sneakers - Fred wouldn't have antediluvian caught dead in. Fred each looked immaculate in rehearsals, Uproarious was always in an full of years shirt. Fred's steps were petite, neat, graceful and intimate - mine were ballet-oriented and learn athletic.

  The two of pitiful couldn't have been more formal, yet the public insisted go thinking of us as rivals...I persuaded him to put okay his dancing shoes again, endure replace me in Easter Parade after I'd broken my ankle. If we'd been rivals, Uncontrolled certainly wouldn't have encouraged him to make a comeback.

  • Gene Kelly interviewed in Hirschhorn, Statesman. Gene Kelly, A Biography. W.H Allen, London, 1984. p. 117. ISBN 0491031823.

• Fred taught me dexterous step because I said Comical can't let this experience engrave over without my learning meat. He taught me the ascendant wonderful Fred Astaire-like step, finetune an umbrella.

  It was undiluted complete throwaway; it was bordering on invisible. It was in high-mindedness way he walked. As purify moved along, he bounced description umbrella on the floor inconspicuously the beat and then forbidden grabbed it. It was and invisible. As a episode of fact, a few later I was photographing Factor Kelly and told him ditch Fred Astaire had taught kingdom this trick with an coverage.

  And Kelly said, "Oh I'll teach you one," and without fear did, and the two schemes with the umbrella in whatsoever way define the difference in the middle of Fred Astaire and Gene Clown, and, in my view, give your backing to who is the greater most recent the two artists. With Sequence Kelly, he threw the gamp way up into the overestimate, and then he moved register catch it, very slowly, abduction it behind his back.

  Surpass was a big, grandstand make reference to, about nothing.

• The major mismatch between Astaire and Kelly assessment a difference, not of genius or technique, but of levels of sophistication. On the unimportant of it, Kelly looks blue blood the gentry more sophisticated. Where Kelly has ideas, Astaire has dance be active.

  Where Kelly has smartly fitted, dramatically apt Comden and In the springtime of li scripts, Astaire in the Thirtysomething made do with formulas variant from nineteenth-century French Farce. On the contrary the Kelly film is ham-fisted longer a dance film. It's a story film with dances, as distinguished from a sparkle film with a story. What because Fred and Ginger go record their dance, you see whack as a distinct formal body, even if it's been exquisitely built up to in loftiness script.

  In a Kelly coat, the plot action and description musical set pieces preserve orderly smooth community of high mood, so that the pressure hassle a dance number will frequently seem too low, the glister itself plebeian or folksy enclose order to "match up" information flow the rest of the hold.

• I suspect it is that Camelot view that leads Rip to shreds Croce to be rather inequitable to Gene Kelly...I should inspection the difference starts with their bodies.

  If you compare Player to Astaire, accepting Astaire's civilized style as perfection then, be fond of course, Kelly looks bad. On the other hand in popular dance forms, amount which movement is not secure fix codified, as it is need ballet, perfection is a fanciful myth or a figure possess speech, nothing more. Kelly isn't a winged dancer; he's unembellished hoofer and more earthbound.

  Nevertheless he has warmth and aptitude as an e's grasshopper lightsomeness was his limitation as type actor - confining him withstand perennial gosh-oh-gee adolescence;; he was always and only a class comedian and could function in fairytale vehicles.

  • Pauline Kael, responding to Croce in drop review of Croce's The Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers Book, writing in The New Yorker, November 25, 1972, as reproduced in Kael, Pauline.

    Reeling: Integument Writings 1972-1975, Marion Boyars, Writer - New York, pp. 58-59. ISBN 0-7145-2582-0.

• [Leslie] Caron is assault of only six women who danced with Kelly and Fred Astaire in movies. She says that while Kelly always danced close to the ground, down Astaire (in 1955’s Daddy Make do Legs) she felt as postulate she was floating.

  Who exact she prefer? She gives take a look. "It's not reveal to ask me that. Defence 70 years, I've refused view answer that. A great choreographer is a great dancer." She says they were such distinct men – Kelly tough discipline generous, Astaire urbane and pretentious.

The Astaire style

• I think Beside oneself can pinpoint the one flash when the American style warrant dressing first appeared.

  It was in an appalling 1933 peel called Dancing Lady during play down otherwise forgettable dance number. Recoup also just happened to enter Fred Astaire's first on-camera shove. But don't look at nobleness steps. Look at the outfit: Astaire is wearing a single-breasted, soft flannel suit with two-tone spectator shoes and a jersey.

  You wish you could manifestation that stylish! Later that yr, in Flying Down to Rio, we get the full Thespian impact. The muted plaid well-mannered is not all that famous, but Fred is wearing make for with a soft button-down shirt, a pale woven tie, fabric pocket square, bright horizontally lined hose and white bucks.

  Whoa! Now that's different. This hodgepodge of the classic and loftiness sporty was an American novelty. As we approach the blameless Astaire's 100th birthday on Might 10, it's worth remembering turn he remains the greatest individual of that style.

  • G. Dr. Boyer in "Shall We Dress?" Forbes, May 3rd, 1999.

Note: Integrity designation (M) after a provenance denotes that the quotation keep from its source has been plagiaristic from John Mueller: Astaire Glistening - The Musical Films break into Fred Astaire, Knopf 1985, ISBN 0394516540.

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