Roberta (1935)

lovely to look at, and just as wonderful to behold!

Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers share their spotlight with beautiful songbird Irene Dunne in this pleasant version of the Kern/Harbach musical theater hit ROBERTA.

When American football player John Kent (Randolph Scott) inherits his Aunt Roberta's fashion boutique in Paris, he finds himself falling in love with lovely assistant Stephanie (Irene Dunne, hiding Russian royal blood) and fighting off the clutches of a nasty former girlfriend (Claire Dodd). Also on board for the ride are fun-loving bandleader Huck Haines (Fred Astaire), and the phoney Polish cabaret sensation Comtesse Scharwenka (Ginger Rogers)!

The Otto Harbach/Jerome Kern score contains such delights as "Yesterdays", "Smoke Gets in Your Eyes" and "Lovely to Look At" (a new addition for the movie). Fred and Ginger trip the light fantastic with "Let's Begin", "I'll Be Hard to Handle" and "I Won't Dance".

The perfect movie for a lazy Sunday afternoon. August 10, 2008

enjoy, have a light heart

I read the reviews you have. It seems no one picked up the Mae West bit that Ginger did with Randolph. Not too campy but obviously having some fun. There are a few other insider moments as when
Fred says he has to get out of the dressmaking business because his voice is going up an octave!! There are others which I will let you have the fun of discovering on your own. Irene Dunn is a class act and Smoke Gets in Your Eyes is tops. I felt Randolph was a bit wooden, but nice to look at. Ginger and Fred have a free energy that is wonderful. June 21, 2008

Not the best Astaire/Rogers but pretty good anyway

"Roberta", the third film in the Astaire/Rogers canon, was released in 1935 as their stars were still rising. The film was based on a successful Broadway musical. In 1935, Irene Dunne was a big movie name so she had the lead. Hindsight makes us regret that Astaire and Rogers are not the primary focus but it made sense when the film was released. While Randolph Scott is merely adequate as the football hero paired with Dunne, the film has many highlights:

- "Let's Begin" is a terrific novelty number with Astaire paired with 2 comic dancers
- "Smoke gets in your Eyes", a number still recorded today, is sung by Dunne in her cool soprano. Dunne was a first rate actress and she uses her acting skills to interpret the song superbly.
- both Astaire and Rogers have some excellent comic bits and they shine with the dialogue.
- the fashion show is lugubrious but a very blonde and statuesque Lucille Ball can be glimpsed among the mannequins.
- Rogers dancing shows a distinct improvement from her previous films and she is fluid and sexy.

The print of the film is excellent and there are a few extras. The short film is a technicolour opus set at a resort with many stars appearing between mainly mediocre and boring musical acts. Marketing, 1935 style, comes from a radio program which promotes the film's Jerome Kern songs and the theatrical trailer. A cartoon is included too.

This is one of the least interesting DVDs in the Astaire/Rogers collections and best value if purchased as part of one of them. April 25, 2008

Wonderful Music and Dancing

The music and Dunne's singing, especially Lovely To Look At, can't be beat. She was versatile, beautiful and a joy to watch. What a great lady.
I agree that Rogers dancing was never better. Keep your eyes peeled during the Fashion Show and you will see a very young Lucille Ball.
If you want to see class! If you want the "best" in voice and acting (Dunne)and the best in dance (Astare and Rogers) than by all means Roberta is a must see!




October 20, 2007

"I Won't Dance" & "Hard to Handle" are highlights in the Astaire-Rogers mystique

The movie is boring but that is not the reason to watch the film. Astaire and Rogers are about the dancing and wonderful music they introduced. All of Fred & Ginger's dances are "must see" but the enthusiasm and chemistry in "Hard to Handle" is a highlight in film- the joy of youth is on display here. Ginger has stated the fun they had in making this movie and the laughs are real in "Hard to Handle". Fred has said "Smoke Gets In Your Eyes" was a favorite of his. Watch Fred play the piano and solo dance in "I Won't Dance"- maybe his best as a musician. How about Fred's rapport with his "Band". All fantastic moments. The chemistry of Fred & Ginger was never better- not yet superstars and it shows- they were a "team". IMO all the RKO movies represent Fred's vision as choreographer as opposed to him "performing" in the MGM movies. The RKO team of Mark Sanders, Pan Berman,Hermes Pan, Astaire & Rogers, Berlin & Gershwin & Porter all peaked
at the same time- creating their own version of a musical with unique precision. Fred & Ginger were "super stars" soon after and although more polished,the early energy is gone by "Shall We Dance". All of their music and dancing has it own special place- the two had different complimentary talents and were incapable of anything less when paired. Ginger & Judy Garland & Bing Crosby brought out the best in Fred. Rita & Cyd were great but not quite the confidence. Watch all the Astaire-Rogers, Easter Parade with Judy, Holiday Inn with Bing, and Bandwagon with Cyd Charisse. And get his TV specials "An Evening With Fred Astaire".






July 29, 2007

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