Top Hat

source: Top Hat

Top Hat

Buoyed by Irving Berlin music, this is one of those love stories where the lovers get confused as to who is whom. Astaire sees Rogers and is smitten, but because of his celebrity there is a kind of caution. They battle each other, partially because they don't know each other's intentions and partially because they are confused by the supporting characters. It doesn't matter what the story is. The dancing here is as good as anything you have ever seen. I know there was some tension as Rogers tried to tread her own path as an actress, but what a gift to the world these two were. Their synchronous moves are incredible as they move across the screen. We also forget that Fred Astaire had a really good voice for the popular music of the time.

This started off with a bang - a couple of good songs and some tremendous dancing by Fred Astaire. However, it bogs down with the standard storyline of mistaken identity which goes on and on and on. It just gets really annoying after awhile. Ginger Rogers and Helen Broderick continually mistreat and make accusations against their men. Then, when they find out their mistakes, they never apologize or act like they did anything wrong! At any rate, it's always a pleasure to watch Rogers and Astaire dance together, but these stories......yeech! At least Edward Edward Horton added something to the story. The dialog is very dated and, for the millionth time, you see marriage treated with no respect. Overall, you can find a lot better Astaire-Rogers movies than this overrated turkey.

There's nothing like Depression-era escapism, especially the Astaire-Rogers brand of it. Devoid of unpleasantness and cynicism, these films are light as air and fun, untouched by silly things like plot. Top Hat (1935) is the most famous of the Astaire and Rogers collaborations. I'm not sure if it's the best, but it's certainly my favorite. Like I said before, the plot is of no consequence. It's the stuff of farce and isn't too memorable. What you're here for is witty dialogue, memorable music, and great dancing. Oh, and those gorgeous Art Deco sets and costumes. There are a lot of movies I wish I lived in and this is one of them. What I wouldn't give to live in such a glamorous world in shimmering black and white...

"Top Hat" has everything to make a perfect musical - great leading stars in Astaire and Rogers, good character support from Edward Everett Horton, Helen Broderick, and Eric Blore, fabulous numbers ("Top Hat, White Tie and Tails", "Isn't it a Lovely Day", "The Picolina", and "Cheek to Cheek"), an hilarious plot of mistaken identity, and breathtaking designs which transport you into a Hollywood fantasy of Venice. This was the stars' greatest teaming and the film packs a great deal of energy, fun, and sex all these years later. A true musical classic and one of RKO's finest.

This classic is fine entertainment with plenty of everything - humor, singing & dancing, good writing, and lavish sets and costumes. The only thing missing is a plot, but too much story might have taken attention away from everything else that makes "Top Hat" enjoyable to watch. Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers are talented and charming as a somewhat star-crossed couple. The whole story line is that Ginger thinks Fred is someone else (who is married instead of single) and thus misinterprets and rejects his advances. Their many abilities and a fine script make this paper-thin plot seem not only acceptable but amusing. Edward Everett Horton is both funny and indispensable as Fred's friend (and the man whom Ginger thinks Fred is), and the rest of the supporting players are also quite good. This is the kind of carefully produced classic that offers many reasons for watching - see it if you have the chance, whether or not you usually like musicals.