Movies starring Fred Astaire

Flying Down to Rio (1933)

89 mins Comedy, Musical, Romance

"Flying Down to Rio" is a movie about band leader Roger Bond falling for Brazilian beauty Belinha de Rezende and doing whatever he can to woo her. But that is not what you remember the movie for because "Flying Down to Rio" w...

The Gay Divorcee (1934)

107 mins Comedy, Musical, Romance

Coming at a time when "gay" still predominantly meant fun and happy "The Gay Divorcee" was the second movie to feature Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers. Adapted from a stage production which Fred Astaire also appeared in "The G...

Top Hat (1935)

101 mins Comedy, Musical, Romance

Having not been born till the second half of the 20th century I can only assume that audiences enjoyed Fred and Ginger in "The Gay Divorcee" so much that the studio decided to try and recapture the magic with another musical ...

Follow the Fleet (1936)

110 mins Comedy, Musical, Romance

As a rule I don't enjoy musicals which come up short on storyline and have musical scenes thrown in which have little relevance to the story, but it is is hard not to like "Follow the Fleet". And the simple reason that it's h...

Swing Time (1936)

103 mins Comedy, Musical, Romance

When it comes to the movies of Fred & Ginger my favourite is "Top Hat" with it's wonderful dance routines and great comedy but depending on my mood sometimes "Swing Time" leap frogs to that top spot. And the reason why "Swing...

Shall We Dance (1937)

109 mins Comedy, Musical, Romance

"Shall We Dance" was the 7th Fred & Ginger collaboration and to be honest by this point in their movies together you pretty much know exactly what you are going to get. As such we have a very slim storyline which mixes comedy...

A Damsel in Distress (1937)

98 mins Comedy, Musical, Romance

"A Damsel in Distress" is on one hand a unique movie but on the other not unique at all, I know that's a contradiction but it's true. It is unique because it is the only time that author P.G. Wodehouse assisted in writing a s...

Carefree (1938)

83 mins Comedy, Musical, Romance

It's hard not to enjoy any of the movies which Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers starred in together; they were such a good team that even something weak could still entertain. And sadly for me "Carefree" is one of their weaker ...

The Story of Vernon and Irene Castle (1939)

93 mins Biography, Musical, Romance

Whilst technically a biopic "The Story of Vernon and Irene Castle" is really more a glamorous and glorious tribute to the Castle's. Who I hear you say? Well back in the early 20th century they were dancing pioneers and a bigg...

Broadway Melody of 1940 (1940)

102 mins Comedy, Musical, Romance

I've not seen any of the earlier "Broadway Melody" movies but if they are anywhere near as good as "Broadway Melody of 1940" then they are going to be well worth a watch. To be honest "Broadway Melody of 1940" is a rather str...

Second Chorus (1940)

84 mins Comedy, Musical, Romance

"Second Chorus" is a movie with a problem, it is Fred Astaire! That sounds daft but because everyone knows Astaire was a stunning dancer it is what you expect to watch when you watch one of his movies but it is the dancing wh...

Holiday Inn (1942)

100 mins Musical

Movie review "Holiday Inn": Bing Crosby and Fred Astaire team up in this musical about a former song and dance act who become rivals when one of them steals the other's girlfriend....

The Sky's the Limit (1943)

89 mins Comedy, Musical, Romance

Whilst it came some 4 years after Fred & Ginger parted company, well till they reunited in 1949 for "The Barkleys of Broadway", "The Sky's the Limit" could easily have been a Fred & Ginger movie. It just has that feel about i...

Easter Parade (1948)

107 mins Musical, Romance

"Easter Parade" is the sort of musical which I like and dislike, which may sound like a contradiction but it is not alone as there are many musicals which I like and also dislike. From a musical perspective what is there not ...

The Barkleys of Broadway (1949)

109 mins Comedy, Musical

"The Barkleys of Broadway" was the last movie which Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers made together, although originally it was Judy Garland who was set to appear with Astaire not Ginger. And sadly whilst not a bad movie it is a...

Royal Wedding (1951)

93 mins Comedy, Musical, Romance

As Fred Astaire musicals go "Royal Wedding" isn't bad but it is for the most average and quite forgettable. In fact it almost feels like a musical churned out not so much because anyone thought it would be great but partly to...

The Band Wagon (1953)

112 mins Comedy, Musical, Romance

"The Band Wagon" is what has become to be known as a back stage musical where we have a storyline about performers putting on a production, a scenario often used in the musical genre and one which occasionally annoys me as ma...

Daddy Long Legs (1955)

126 mins Musical, Romance

Movie Review - Daddy Long Legs (1955) Fred Astaire stars as Jervis Pendleton, a millionaire who secretly pays for Julie (Leslie Caron) an 18 year old French girl to attend a college in America. Many years later when he goes t...

Funny Face (1957)

103 mins Comedy, Musical, Romance

Funny Face: Audrey Hepburn stars as Jo, a dowdy shop assistant who gets whisked off to France when he sees through the dull clothes and spots her beauty...

Silk Stockings (1957)

117 mins Comedy, Musical, Romance

So here is the bland bit for you; "Silk Stockings" is based on the book "Ninotchka" by Melchior Lengyel which was turned in to both a play and the 1939 movie starring Greta Garbo. Now as of writing I haven't seen any other ve...

* This is purely a list of reviews on The Movie Scene featuring the name Fred Astaire as one of the principle cast members.