HOLLYWOOD’S GOLDEN AGE: END OF THE TRAIL
Just as all good things must come to an end, so too must all bad things (even Trump’s evil rule will run out of recourse eventually — e.g., the fat lady’s last aria at the opera seems to go on forever; will it end short of becoming a hoarse opera?). What it all a-mounts to is….
Meanwhile, back at the ranch , we bid happy trails to “bad” actors not named Trump, and end our HOLLYWOOD’S GOLDEN AGE series with a roundup of some of the era’s great song & dance stars, starting with this incomparable pair whose magic outlasted their time:
When it comes to high-energy dancing, no one outshined Gene Kelly. Here he is in THE PIRATE (1948), clowning around with the fabulous Nicholas Brothers:
I do have one regret about this retrospective: so many musical stars, so little time and wherewithal for them all. Perhaps, as time goes by, I will use a favorite star’s birthday as an occasion to do an occasional post.
In closing (speaking of when A STAR IS BORN), if ever someone was born to be one, it’s this star-crossed girl/woman with whom we bring down the curtain on this series:
David Thompson, 
The Observation Post 
calmkate 4:07 am on November 13, 2019 Permalink |
what a joyful collection of viewing, thanks Mr M!
But Ginger and Fred are just sheer magic … no couple have ever created the ease and charm that they exuded on screen! My forever heros 🙂
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mistermuse 10:54 am on November 13, 2019 Permalink |
It didn’t hurt (quoting from A SMITHSONIAN SALUTE TO THE AMERICAN MUSICAL) that “Astaire and Rogers worked with the finest composers of their day. Of their ten films together, one featured music by Cole Porter, two by Jerome Kern, one by George and Ira Gershwin, and three by Irvine Berlin.” Throw in great directors and supporting casts, and it’s no wonder there was movie magic!
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calmkate 6:15 pm on November 13, 2019 Permalink
that would certainly help and their stage settings add to the majesty but they had class and talent by the ton!
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Yeah, Another Blogger 9:27 am on November 13, 2019 Permalink |
Have you seen the new movie Judy? I liked it very much. It focuses on the final months of her life.
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mistermuse 11:01 am on November 13, 2019 Permalink |
Haven’t seen it, but saw snippets and an interview with the star on TV. Thanks for your comment.
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Ashley 1:51 pm on November 13, 2019 Permalink |
This has been a great series and you should be congratulated for putting it all together.
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mistermuse 3:28 pm on November 13, 2019 Permalink |
Many thanks, Ashley….and I even managed to cast a few aspersions at Trump in the bargain.
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Rosaliene Bacchus 3:39 pm on November 13, 2019 Permalink |
I could watch Fred & Ginger and Gene Kelly dance all day long! They brought joy to my tumultous young life.
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mistermuse 6:34 pm on November 13, 2019 Permalink |
To bring joy to a “tumultuous young life” — as Ira Gershwin wrote and Gene Kelly sang (in AN AMERICAN IN PARIS), “Who could ask for anything more?”
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Rivergirl 8:52 pm on November 13, 2019 Permalink |
The Nicholas Brothers! That goes back…
😊
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mistermuse 11:31 pm on November 13, 2019 Permalink |
They go way back, but they lived long — especially the older brother, who died in 2006 at age 91.
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mlrover 8:53 am on November 15, 2019 Permalink |
Ginger spoke in an interview about that particular dance. Fred insisted on perfection, and as usual, doing it in one take. She said that by the time this scene was done as he liked it there was blood in her shoes. She also said, as she had before and would again, that she got paid less and did everything he did in heels and backward.
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mistermuse 1:28 pm on November 15, 2019 Permalink |
Fred was indeed a perfectionist. Quoting from the book I mentioned in my earlier reply to calmkate, “the roller skating sequence in SHALL WE DANCE, for example, was shot 30 times, and the Never Gonna Dance number from SWING TIME was done in forty-eight takes.” As for Ginger, “I had plenty of input in our routines and got to be known as the ‘button finder’….the one who puts the last word or finishing touch on a scene.” So I don’t blame her for complaining “that she got paid less.”
Although Ginger “did everything he did in heels and backward,” the one thing she didn’t do as well was sing. Irving Berlin said, “I’d rather have Fred Astaire introduce one of my songs than any other singer I know — not because he has a great voice, but because his delivery and diction are so good that he can put over a song like nobody else.”
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David Thompson 9:00 pm on December 6, 2019 Permalink
I grew up, will h my mother’s influence ..with this era. I am richer for the experience.
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Elizabeth 1:40 pm on November 15, 2019 Permalink |
I loved this series. Thanks for all the time and thoughtfulness you put into it.
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mistermuse 3:29 pm on November 15, 2019 Permalink |
It was absolutely my pleasure, Elizabeth. Thank you for appreciating it.
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Silver Screenings 12:22 am on November 17, 2019 Permalink |
Amazing tributes, all, but the one for Judy Garland is amazing. To see all those films in one clip is a little mind-blowing. She was certainly prolific!
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mistermuse 1:50 am on November 17, 2019 Permalink |
I’m glad you singled out the Garland clip for special mention — it was an unexpected find, and probably my favorite in this series.
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mistermuse 10:12 pm on December 6, 2019 Permalink |
Thank you for the Like, David Thompson. I tried to check out your blog, but when I click the link, I get a blank screen. Before I approve your comment, kindly advise if your blog is not operational for some reason.
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