Top Hat (DVD)

...on 29th August 1935. Top Hat set the standard for dazzling 1930's Art Deco sets, stoking the flames of imaginations in their audiences and receiving a standing ovation on its opening night. A musical comedy extravaganza which got Fred and Ginger known as the King and Queen of the Hollywood musicals; Top Hat received four Oscar Nominations for Art Direction , Dance Direction, Best Original Song (Cheek to Cheek) and Best Picture.

~~ ...
...the Black and White Musical Top Hat.

The film starts with our star of the show Jerry Travers who is an American entertainer waiting for his friend and producer Horace Hardwick in the Thackeray Club, London. The room is deathly quiet and on leaving the club with the arrival of his friend Jerry does a little tap dance to create a stir in the silent atmosphere (just to make sure they are all awake).

Back at Horace's hotel ... more

~~Top Hat ~~

RKO Radio Pictures Presents 'Top Hat' a Pandro S. Berman Production, which opened at New York's Radio City Music Hall on 29th August 1935. Top Hat set the standard for dazzling 1930's Art Deco sets, stoking the flames of imaginations in their audiences and receiving a standing ovation on its opening night. A musical comedy extravaganza which got Fred and Ginger known as the King and Queen of the Hollywood musicals; Top Hat received four Oscar Nominations for Art Direction , Dance Direction, Best Original Song (Cheek to Cheek) and Best Picture.

~~ The Film ~~

When you put the disc into the DVD player you are presented with the bandstand scene with Fred and Ginger Dancing and the menu there ready for you to make your choices. I don't normally mention this, but on this occasion I thought I would because you were given two choices of how to play the movie with or without an introduction. The introduction is done by Fred Astaire's daughter Ava Astaire Mckenzie giving us an insight on Fred and his career, also referring to special moments about the movie. This intro lasts in total approx 5 minutes and takes you straight in the Black and White Musical Top Hat.

The film starts with our star of the show Jerry Travers who is an American entertainer waiting for his friend and producer Horace Hardwick in the Thackeray Club, London. The room is deathly quiet and on leaving the club with the arrival of his friend Jerry does a little tap dance to create a stir in the silent atmosphere (just to make sure they are all awake).

Back at Horace's hotel room the two men start discussing the fact that Jerry is still a bachelor which leads Jerry into a song and dance routine. This causes Horace to get called away to speak to the manager about a complaint of noise which Jerry is making by tap dancing. Whilst Horace is away we get to meet Dale Tremont (a model) who comes upstairs to complain in person and it is love at first sight for Jerry, as the next morning he sets about wooing her to gain her affections. We watch as Jerry pulls out all the stops and wins the girl, or does he?

At first Dale succumbs to his advances but a case of mistaken identity in the foyer later that night changes the whole mood. She now thinks Jerry is Horace and married to her best friend. This leads to some comical antics and the chase is on as she runs off and Jerry chases. Will Jerry get the girl, well that would be telling, but this is Hollywood where anything can happen even in the 1930's and the fun is in the chase, time to sit back and enjoy.

~~ The Cast ~~

Fred Astaire - plays the all singing, all dancing Jerry Travers, charming and debonair we watch as he fights for the affections of Dale in the true style of a gentleman of course.

Ginger Rogers - plays our female lead Dale Tremont. Dale is a model staying at the same hotel as Horace Hardwick who also happens to be her best friends' husband. Dale and Horace have not met before so she has no idea what he looks like. Due to Dale mistaking Jerry for Horace, she gives him a hard time as he tries his best to woo her; this brings out some comical scenes. Ginger Rogers was well known for her musical comedies throughout her career.

Edward Everett Horton - plays Horace Hardwick, the hen pecked husband of Madge and the producer of Jerry's latest show being staged in London.

Eric Blore - plays Bates who is Horace's valet and general dogs-body. We get to see quite a bit of him throughout the movie in several guises.

Helen Broderick - plays the understanding wife of Horace and best friend to Dale, I am not so sure that I would be as understanding.

Erik Rhodes - is Alberto Beddini the clothes designer who employs Dale to wear his latest designs and promote them. You can't help feeling sorry for him as he tries his best to be decisive and masterful.

It is quite amazing to think that all the above cast are now deceased, but have been immortalised on film and even today we get to see them as they were over 70 years ago.

~~ The Songs ~~

No Strings (I'm fancy free) - This is right at the beginning of the film when Fred Astaire is singing and dancing a wonderful Tap Dance Routine. The Song is all about him confirming his commitment to staying a bachelor.

Isn't This A Lovely Day (to be caught in the rain) - Do you remember at the beginning of the review I mentioned the Bandstand scene, with Fred and Ginger dancing, well this is it, the song and dance duet. I have to say that it was done very well for the era; it actually looked like you were outside on the bandstand and in the rain. Although the dance starts off as a sort of competition between the two it ends with them being in perfect unison as their relationship reaches that special bond.

Top Hat, White Tie and Tails - Earlier I mentioned Jerry's show was being produced by Horace and opening in London, this is one of the numbers from that show. It is a wonderful production number with fantast Art Deco scenery.

Cheek to Cheek - The dance number that caused so much conflict between Fred and Ginger over the dress she wore (more about the dress later). I have to say that it did look magnificent and flowed beautifully during the dance.

The Piccolino - Yet another brilliant dance scene from Fred and Ginger, we also get to hear Ginger giving Irving Berlins' witty lyrics some justice.

All the songs were by Irving Berlin

~~ Focus On: Fred Astaire ~~

He was born Frederic Austerlitz Jr on 10th May 1899 in Omaha, Nebraska. His family originated from Austria were now living in America at the time of his birth. His mother set her sights high for her children in this country and by the time Fred was 4 years old she had enrolled both him and his older sister into dance school.

Up until 1931 the pair danced together in numerous hit shows on Broadway and in London. He moved to Hollywood to try to make a movie career, but he failed to initially impress RKO who thought he could not sing or act, but could dance a little.

He eventually made his mark and got noticed more, when he was accidentally teamed up with Ginger Rogers, together they made eight movies over a six year period. It has been said that Fred gave Ginger her class and she gave him her sex appeal. Through his career he danced with Rita Hayworth and Cyd Charisse as well.

Fred worked on his own chorography along with choreographer Hermes Pan (born Hermes Panagiotopoulos). Fred lived to the ripe old age of 98 years and passed over in 1987.

~~ Trivia ~~

Fred Astaire got to work with Eric Blore and Erik Rhodes again, as they were old friends and had worked together previously on Broadway.

Fred and Ginger got into a dispute over Gingers dress for the dance number Cheek to Cheek, Ginger had designed a dress which was Satin and covered in thousands of Ostrich feathers. The sight of the dress sent Fred into a rage and caused Ginger to leave and go home. The argument was settled and Ginger won keeping the dress, but Fred was right the feathers went everywhere, but the flow of the dress when they danced the number worked it magic on Fred, causing him to back down and he sent Ginger a small gift of a small gold feather charm, with a little note 'Dear Feathers, I love ya! Fred'.

~~DVD Extras ~~

Scene Access - 1-20 scenes in blocks of 4 all set on a background of Fred Astaire Tap Dancing.

Languages - a selection of languages and sub-titles for you to view.

~~ Special Features ~~

Photo Gallery - This is a selection of 10 stills taken from the movie all of Fred and Ginger.

Production Notes - You read all about the film on the screen to a background picture of Jerry and Dale, There are no background sounds at all, this is a little disappointing.

Cast and Crew - This section covers Fred Astaire, Helen Broderick, Erik Rhodes and Van Nest Polglase (the Art Director). With a picture background you given a written information sheet about each of the above named, giving you a little insight into their careers.

~~ Overall Opinion ~~

At first you notice that the sound quality is done in mono and sounds a little 'tinny' compared to modern technology, but that is soon forgotten as you get used to it and get into the film.

It bought back happy childhood memories of me trying to tap dance around the room in my new shoes. I love the old fashioned gallantry where men were gentlemen and ladies were, well ladies. The wonderful elegant fashion of the 1930's and the Art Deco style in the Hotel Rooms and Theatre, were simply beautiful.

Fred and Ginger had me glued to the TV as a child; I used to love watching them dance together so elegant and graceful, I used to daydream about being able to do that when I was older. It never happened for me, but I still enjoy the trip down memory lane and allow my imagination to run wild whilst indulging in the romance of an old black 'n' white musical.

It is the simplicity of these movies that make them enjoyable and easy to watch, ideal for those days when you have the fire on and you are snuggled up on the sofa, it is grey and rainy outside and you are nice and cosy inside watching an old movie.

Well worth a viewing every now and then.

Thanks for reading

Lyn x

 

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