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Happy Birthday JB!
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TOPIC OF THE DAY: Here's a link to help all of us recall Fred Astaire's musical numbers:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fred_Astaire's_Solo_and_Partnered_DancesFRED ASTAIRE - Where to
begin? Let's see...I like the unadorned, non-prop, "hard tap" musical numbers like "Jukebox Dance" and the last part of "Begin the Beguine" with Eleanor Powell from
Broadway Melody of 1940. Another is "Bouncin' the Blues" from
The Barkley's of Broadway with Ginger Rogers. These numbers I can watch over and over and never tire of.
Solos"I've Got My Eyes on You" from
Broadway Melody of 1940 - I love to watch him play the piano and the creative ways he uses the little "powder puffball" in that number. I also think his acting is wonderful in this film (emotionally transparent).
"Drum Crazy" from
Easter Parade just amazes me! Is there anything left you can do with drums?
Everything is in it! And I love how he outsmarts the kid.
"Say it with Firecrackers" from
Blue Skies - I love the combination of sounds from the taps and firecrackers.
The golf solo from
Carefree - Much more interesting to watch than regular golf. Astaire at play!
"Sunday Jumps" from
Royal Wedding - The dance with the clothes tree and gym props. Another Astaire at play. Such inventiveness!
Sublime Numbers that Make Me Swoon "Dancing in the Dark" with Cyd Charisse -
Beautifully choreographed.
"Cheek to Cheek" with a smoldering (and molting) Ginger Rogers from
Top Hat - This is the famous dance where Ginger's costume began shedding its feathers. Someone once dubbed this number, "how to make love while dancing."
"Waltz in Swing Time" with Ginger from
Swing Time - They literally dance on air! A classic.
"They Can't Take That Away From Me" with Ginger from
The Barkley's of Broadway. - I love how this dance
unfolds.
"Story" Numbers"Lets Face the Music and Dance" with Ginger from
Follow the Fleet.
"Never Gonna Dance" with Ginger from
Swing Time.
"The Girl Hunt Ballet" with Cyd Charisse from
The Band Wagon .
"This Heart of Mine" with Lucille Bremer from
Ziegfeld Follies and
"Limehouse Blues" with Lucille Bremer from
Ziegfeld Follies - Both of these numbers I can watch over and over. I respond to the
acting within the dances.
Favorites with Partners Besides the aforementioned...
"Pick Yourself Up" with Ginger from
Swing Time.
"Isn't This a Lovely Day" with Ginger from
Top Hat.
"Fated to be Mated" with Cyd Charisse in
Silk Stockings.
"The Babbitt and the Bromide" with Gene Kellly from
Ziegfeld Follies.
"Please Don't Monkey With Broadway" with George Murphy from
Broadway Melody of 1940.
"I Guess I'll Have to Change My Plans" with Jack Buchanan from
The Band Wagon.
I still left a lot out!
Such joy and pleasure Fred and his collaborators gave us! Would that I could leave such a legacy.