TOP HAT

Apparently it was Katherine Hepburn who when perusing a draft script for this film made the astute observation that Ginger gave Fred sex appeal, and he gave her class.

That’s so true, even in this film where Ginger’s character Dale seems plenty classy, judging by her lavish London apartment.  

Dale’s apartment is directly below that of Edward Everett Horton’s theatrical producer Horace Hardwick, and who should be the star of his latest production but none other than one Jerry Travers who is played of course by Astaire.

Naturally Jerry has to do some tap dancing in the apartment (why wouldnt he?) which annoys Dale by keeping her awake.  Never mind, they are soon falling for each other and everything seems set fair.

Except that due to an unfortunate misunderstanding Dale thinks that Jerry is Horace  and therefore a married man. 

Cue much hilarity given that Mrs Hardwick is a matchmaker who is keen to bring Dale and Jerry together.

Mrs Hardwick is staying at a hotel in Venice so that is where the bulk of the film is set.  I’m not saying that the hotel is absurdly luxurious but it is  the sort of place where guests are apt to arrive by seaplane.

Two other characters add to the comedy: Hardwick’s valet Bates (played by the wonderful Eric Blore) and a preening and extravagantly theatrical fashion designer (Italian naturally).

In a contrived plot development Dale marries the fashion designer,  but it all ends happily.  Jerry’s true identity is established, and the ‘marriage’ turns out to be invalid because the presiding ‘priest’ was none other than Bates, following his master’s instructions to keep an eye on Dale.

Clearly this is one of the finest of the (checks notes) nine films Astaire and Rogers made together, although I think my personal favourite remains ‘Swing Time’.

This musical comedy has for my taste a little too much comedy and not enough song and dance.  Admittedly the songs are some of Irving Berlin’s finest, but he’s no Cole Porter is he?