The opening sentence from A Tale of Two Cities, could best describe the 1930’s, in America. It was the best of times and the worst of times. People came together, during The Great Depression. It was a time when during this period of poverty, people escaped to the movies. They saw what ever Hollywood produced. It was comedies, westerns and lavish musicals, among other genres.
There was the perfect getaway for the hard times. It was Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers. This dancing couple were the main feature in nine films throughout the decade. Their first film, exclusively written for them, was Top Hat. Fred Astaire plays Jerry Travers, performing in London. He meets Dale Tramont, (Ginger Rogers), when his dancing disturbs her sleep. He does his best to charm her, and she begins to fall for him. There is a misunderstanding, when she thinks he is married. She believes he shares a life with Madge Hardwick, (Helen Broderick). She is married to his friend, Horace, (Edward Everett Horton), who is producing his show. This leads to comic moments, as well as misunderstanding between Horace and his wife Madge. There are comic moments with Albert Beddini, (Erik Rhodes), and Bates, (Eric Blore). Bates is the foil for Beddini, who is part of a love triangle with Jerry Travers and Dale Tramont.
This movie is entertaining with it’s simple story. The main feature is of course the singing and dancing of Astaire and Rogers. They bring to life the music of Irving Berlin; who was one of America’s premier songwriters. This was the first time for Berlin, on a Fred Astaire movie. They developed quite a partnership, and became lifelong friends. It is a highlight of the film when Rogers and Astaire perform Cheek to Cheek. Dale Tramont is deeply troubled at Jerry Rogers’ perceived marriage. Mark Sandrich shows her distress, by shooting her at an angle. This was Sandrich’s second movie with Astaire and Rogers. He would direct them in three more. Despite the presence of a director and choreographer, Fred Astaire was instrumental in getting the dance scenes perfect. The big dance number, Top Hat, White Tie and Tails, required a cane. Astaire, being a perfectionist, was upset, that the finale, wasn’t going well. He kept breaking the canes, but finally got it right, before the prop department, needed to restock them.
The studio, built a huge set, to simulate the canals of Venice. It was impressive, and was used for romance and comedy throughout the film.These were the days when studios built sets, and didn’t design them on computers. This gives the movie a good look. Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers do some of their best work in this film. They were true professionals who worked long into the day, to get their dance routines right. They were a supremely talented dance team. Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers both had long and successful careers in Hollywood. Rogers went on to win an academy award. Astaire continued with other dance partners, among them, Rita Hayworth.