Top Hat (1935) starring Fred Astaire, Ginger Rogers, Edward Everett Horton, Helen Broderick, Eric Blore
Synopsis of Top Hat
The story of Top Hat centers on wealthy Dale Tremont (Ginger Rogers), on holiday in London and Venice. She assumes that American entertainer Jerry Travers (Fred Astaire) is the husband of her friend Madge (Helen Broderick) — who’s actually the wife of Jerry’s business manager Horace Hardwick (Edward Everett Horton)
Review
In many ways, Top Hat is one of my favorite Fred Astaire/Ginger Rogers romantic musicals — if not my absolute favorite. For a variety of reasons:
- The entire cast is here. Fred & Ginger carry the show, but the supporting cast is wonderful. I’ve always enjoyed the friendly hostility between Edward Everett Horton & Eric Blore. It’s never funnier than here. And, Eric becomes the unexpected hero of the movie at the end, by wearing his collar backwards. If you don’t get that reference, you need to see the movie — no spoilers here.
- The music is absolutely wonderful.
- So is the dancing. It’s a delight to simply watch Fred & Ginger dance.
- The verbal comedy is absolutely hilarious.
- Fred & Ginger actually act like a couple in love. It’s entirely believable to the audience that they’re actually in love. That’s a compliment to the acting ability of both Fred Astaire & Ginger Rogers.
Songs in Top Hat
- No Strings (I’m Fancy Free) (1935), Words and Music by Irving Berlin, sung and danced performed by Fred Astaire
- Isn’t This a Lovely Day (to Be Caught in the Rain)? (1935) Words and Music by Irving Berlin, sung by Fred Astaire, danced by Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers
- Cheek to Cheek (1935) Words and Music by Irving Berlin, sung by Fred Astaire, danced by Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers
- The Piccolino (1935) Words and Music by Irving Berlin, sung by Ginger Rogers and Chorus, danced by Fred Astaire, Ginger Rogers, and Chorus
Editorial review of Top Hat courtesy of Amazon.com
Debonaire hoofer Fred Astaire (“Easter Parade“) and the graceful Ginger Rogers (“Stage Door“) star in this Oscar-nominated musical comedy about a woman who mistakenly thinks her best friend’s husband is in love with her. Considered by many to be the dancing duo’s best film, it features a classic Irving Berlin score, including “Cheek to Cheek” and the title song. Look for a young Lucille Ball as a florist shop clerk!