JUKE BOX
Astaire and Goddard in Second Chorus
Fred Astaire, Gene Kelly, Ginger Rogers and Donald O’Connor are some of my favourite actors in musical-romantic comedies. I never tire watching their films, particularly the song-and-dance sequences that are so much fun. You only have to see O’Connor’s ‘climbing up the wall’ act in Singing in the Rain to know what I mean. Astaire and Kelly are a class apart. This evening I had the rare opportunity to watch Fred Astaire and Paulette Goddard in Second Chorus (1940) on TCM (hopefully they will show it again). Now Goddard as you well know is more famous for her long filmy association and romantic liaison with Charlie Chaplin but she puts in a fine performance with Astaire by her side including in this delightful song-and-dance routine. Take a look…
Astaire and Goddard in Second Chorus
Fred Astaire, Gene Kelly, Ginger Rogers and Donald O’Connor are some of my favourite actors in musical-romantic comedies. I never tire watching their films, particularly the song-and-dance sequences that are so much fun. You only have to see O’Connor’s ‘climbing up the wall’ act in Singing in the Rain to know what I mean. Astaire and Kelly are a class apart. This evening I had the rare opportunity to watch Fred Astaire and Paulette Goddard in Second Chorus (1940) on TCM (hopefully they will show it again). Now Goddard as you well know is more famous for her long filmy association and romantic liaison with Charlie Chaplin but she puts in a fine performance with Astaire by her side including in this delightful song-and-dance routine. Take a look…
There's a side of you I didn't really expect!
ReplyDeleteCharles, I have enjoyed watching these films for over two decades and I still do whenever an opportunity arises. I forgot to mention Sinatra in that fine line-up.
ReplyDeleteNice choice Prashant - I grew up watching Astaire musicals and still find them entrancing (when i get the time to watch them that is) - thanks for the lovely reminder!
ReplyDeleteAs someone able to learn only the simplest of line dances, I have been in awe of Fred Astaire seems like forever. Thanks, Prashant.
ReplyDeleteWith all the dance shows on American TV, I wonder if the musical may return at the movies.
ReplyDeleteLOVED this clip, Prashant. I hadn't seen this film in so many years. I had totally forgotten that Paulette Goddard danced with Fred.
ReplyDeleteWonderful reminder of the most elegant man in movies.
Fabulous clip!! Well, I guess as long as there is youtube, ther's no excuse for missing these little movie gems.
Thanks, Sergio, and you are welcome. Actually it was my wife who got me interested in Fred Astaire-Gene Kelly musicals that our local cable television operators used to show in early 1990s. Some we watched on VCR.
ReplyDeleteDitto Ron, about being in awe of Astaire. Sheer grace there. Astaire or Kelly — who's the better dancer? The eternal debate. I think they are good equally good but I'd rate Astaire a few notches higher.
ReplyDeletePatti, I hope it does. We have had some fine musicals like THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA (2004) directed by Joel Schumacher. I have mixed feelings about dance shows like DANCING WITH THE STARS currently running here.
ReplyDeleteYvette, I hadn't seen this film either and I loved the clip as well. I didn't know Goddard had danced with Astaire, though. It was a pleasant surprise to see them together. Astaire is certainly the most elegant and graceful dancer I have seen. He makes dancing seem so effortless. YouTube, I agree, has revived all sorts of delightful memories.
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