Movie Song of the Week: "Shall We Dance?"

I'm kinda surprised I haven't posted this yet. It's such a classic musical number that I was sure I already posted it a long time ago. But apparently I didn't.

Nowadays, it seems even more apt than usual. Poor Fred Astaire pursuing a masked Ginger Rogers -- on a stage where every woman wears a mask -- and being socially distanced, to boot. Oh my!

And of course, the lyrics have a nice Dylan Thomas-ish subtext, which is a neat trick considering the fact the song was written at least a decade or so before Thomas wrote "Do not go gentle into that good night".

Movie Song of the Week: "Drum Crazy"

Just in time for Easter weekend, I post this rarely mentioned song from the Fred Astaire movie Easter Parade. I hope you all like it.

Movie Song of the Week: "That's Entertainment"

From the 1953 musical The Band Wagon, it's a musical number I have often heard on CD but never really seen until today. I hope you all like it. For some reason, it just seemed like the right number for the Monday after Oscar night.

Movie Song of the Week: “You're All the World to Me”

From the 1951 musical Royal Wedding, it's Fred Astaire apparently defying the laws of gravity. And oh, yes, he sings too.

Movie Song of the Week: “Happy Holidays”

Many major thanks to the Flick Filosopher for reminding me of this number from the 1942 Fred Astaire movie Holiday Inn. It might have been more appropriate if I had posted it last week but this week works fine too.

Movie Song of the Week: “A Fine Romance”

I wasn't intending to post another song from 1936's Swing Time so soon but my beloved Ginger just looks so sad that I couldn't resist. Besides, the way my past weekend has gone, I could use a good Astaire-Rogers number to pick me up.

Movie Song of the Week: “Pick Yourself Up”

I often wish I had had a dance instructor like Ginger Rogers.



For that matter, I often wish I could dance like this, but then who doesn't?

From the 1936 musical Swing Time, it's one of the more famous Astaire / Rogers numbers in its most memorable version.

Trailer of the Week: Roberta (1935)

What can I say? Astaire and Rogers may not be as popular nowadays as Carrell and Fey but I happen to think they're still pretty watchable.

Movie Song of the Week: “The Yam”

Yes, I suppose I could have found something musical that was more Thanksgiving-related than this number but why bother? After all, yams are going to be part of many a Thanksgiving feast today and besides, the sight of poor Ginger singing and dancing her heart out is something that should not passed over for the likes of some turkey.

Besides, I actually liked the movie from which this number came from -- 1938's Carefree -- and I relish the opportunity to give it some free publicity. Not that Fred and Ginger need any help from yours truly, but still...

I hope you all enjoy it.

Movie Song of the Week: “Let's Call the Whole Thing Off”

I suppose I could post something snarky about the Republicans, but I'd rather post this song instead. From the 1937 movie Shall We Dance, it's Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers doing one of their most famous songs, a tune that can be interpreted as a salute to political diversity if you wish. (At least if you wait until the very end.) Plus we get to see Ginger Rogers on roller skates. Never a bad thing in my opinion.

If you wish a more topical reference, it should be noted that actress Ginger Rogers was famous for being a Republican. And I seem to recall some other Republican woman being in the news as of late...

Anyway, I hope you all enjoy it.

Movie Song of the Week: “The Girl Hunt Ballet”

In honor of the late Cyd Charisse, it's “The Girl Hunt Ballet” number from 1953's The Band Wagon. Not really a song but then who cares?

Among other things, this number has been cited as being the main inspiration for Michael Jackson's “Smooth Criminal” video. As if any sane person is going to think about Michael Jackson while watching Cyd Charisse...

Enjoy:

Movie Song of the Week: “Let's K-Knock K-Knees”

From 1934's The Gay Divorcee, it's that famous dancing duo of the 1930s, Grable and Horton. Specifically Betty Grable (yes, that Betty Grable, the one with the million-dollar legs) and Edward Everett Horton.

And, oh, yes, Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers are in this movie too although we only get a brief glimpse of Fred and absolutely no trace of Ginger in this number. However, it's still a cute song. And is that line dancing we see toward the end? Apparently Grable and Horton were ahead of their time.

Enjoy:

Movie Song of the Week: “Stereophonic Sound”

Just in time for the start of the summer movie season (and no, I don't know why it's starting in May when May isn't traditionally considered part of summer), a reminder from Fred Astaire and Janis Paige that ridicule of the public's taste in movies didn't exactly begin with the CGI era. (At least these two have a sense of humor about it.)

I know Self-Styled Siren's been singing the praises of yet another number from this same movie (1957's Silk Stockings), but I can't resist giving a shout-out to this number just in case she forgets to mention it in a future post.

Enjoy:

Movie Song of the Month: “I Won't Dance”

That Fred Astaire always was a tease, wasn't he? After all, what red-blooded male in his right mind wouldn't want to dance with Ginger Rogers?

Of course, one doesn't necessarily need to see Roberta (the 1935 movie this clip was taken from) to know that sooner or later Astaire was going to start dancing anyway. And you'll be pleased to know that eventually he did dance with Ginger in this movie as well. But not in this number, unfortunately.

But, hey, the song is still fun to watch. And not just because of Ginger...

Besides, I felt the need to post something cheery this week in light of recent events that were not so cheery. Enjoy.