The Fred Astaire & Ginger Rogers Book

This retro-review is for,sadly,the now out of print 1987 paperback edition of "The Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers Book".This is a re-released edition by Obelisk Books in 1987 and pretty much looks like the original hardcover edition printed in 1972 throughout. I was really shocked to see that this book had gone out of print,for it is THE essential volume for any Fred Astaire fan,and especially those interested in his period with Ginger Rogers. Like the original hardcover edition this one carries on with the "flip" pictures in the top right and left corners of the book.That is there are a series of incremental pictures that if one flips through at a causal speed,they can see Astaire and Rogers dancing in two different numbers.A nice little touch. The best thing about this book though is how the author approaches her subject matter.She starts off the book giving us a short but well rounded look at both subjects and careers pre-teaming.Like the rest of the book you know here is a person who knows her subject matter inside and out and never writes DOWN to the reader.She writes more like a friend imparting details and essential background material on a subject you both love. After the intro(about 18 pages) we come to the heart of the book,the film by film look at the ten benchmark motion pictures made starring Astaire and Rogers. Each chapter is divided into four areas.First are the detailed production and acting credits.Second comes "The Film",thirdly "The Numbers" and lastly "Production".This is repeated for each chapter/film throughout the book and the details and knowledge she imparts are invaluable to any serious student of this dancing duo.Her prose are definitely not dry by any stretch and she keeps you riveted to the page throughout. Here is an example from her chapter on "Roberta",where she is talking about one of the big numbers from the film,"Hard to Handle": "The context for the number is an informal session on the dance floor of the Cafe' Russe,the audience for it consists of bartenders and cleaning women,and the beauty of it is that it really seems to be happening for the first time-it's like a moment of cinema verite' bursting through the surface of a polished commercial film. We've all seen numbers in musicals that start in this supercasual way- and the "impromptu" walked-right-into number became a staple of the Astaire-Rogers repertory-but how many times,no matter how good the routine or how sophisticated our response,it happens that we feel a little stab in our childish hearts-"Oh,they've rehearsed".Sanity tells us that Astaire and Rogers have rehearsed;publicity statistics tell us how many back-breaking hours.But the difference between them and other performers is that,watching them,we aren't in possession of our sanity,we're happy children again,the story the numbers tell us is true.And the illusion of spontanteity makes the plot implication of the number credible;it cements the relationship of the screen characters they portray."

Croce's book focuses upon the dances within each film. Her understanding of the wide range of the Astaire-Rogers filmed dance legacy, and her knowledge of what it took to achieve such excellence in performance...makes this book one of the main literary sources on the great dance pair. Astaire-Pan-Rogers, and Borne were the team that created a choreographic wellspring, in 10 films, of highly elegant, vital, energetic, and graceful dancing....just laden with meaning and emotion. The likes of this pair, made in heaven, is not likely to be seen soon again. They were the best, the top of the top...and they knew it. Arlene Croce succeeds in this insightful and informational book in explaining why, through dance, and personality, and professionalism, Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers continue to appeal to such a universal audience. The only area where I would have some question are a few of her comments regarding the integration of the comedic Woodhosian scripts and the emotional weight and seriousness of the dancing. But, in fact, just the raising of the question gets one thinking more deeply about the highly challenging construction of the dance musical itself: For example, I didn't agree with her sharp criticism of George Stevens...for not "having enough material" for Helen Broderick's laughter at the end of "Swing Time". In fact, Stevens spends the first twenty minutes of the film creating that material.....and the rest of the film has more turns in it than the Almalfi Drive, as Ginger changes her mind back and forth about Fred. The Broderick character, as Penny's best friend, sees this mercurial behavior in her young friend, at least SEVEN TIMES! And this is not enough material for Broderick NOT to believe that she'll change her mind again? No. Croce is not even being logical here...and she's weighing the absolutely brilliant singing and dancing so highly, that she misses the well considered comedic plot...that really works on screen! As in an ancient Greek drama, Stevens has created an effective ending(s)...a comedic catharsis. And what's better, and more effective, than the power of laughter to finally overcome the darkness in this great film, in arriving at its inevitable and bright conclusion? And by the way, IMHO, she's also dead wrong about Steven's "Vivacious Lady", which hilariously and logically reaches its happy ending through tears! Nonetheless, in no way, does my little criticism affect my regard for this book, and for Arlene Croce, indeed, for her intense and deeply grasped critique, is a real classic, and a first class piece of writing...with consistent, highly insightful, and sharp investigation of the great dances. It will always be a touchstone in the understanding of the truly wonderful Astaire/Rogers magic and timeless mythos. It was most helpful to me, and I recommend it highly.

Actually published in the 1970's, Arlene gives great insight into the dances, the casting, script, and other details. A wealth of useful information for both dancers and Astaire-Rogers fans. Far and away the best book on this great team.

At just 191 pages Arlene Croce's FRED ASTAIRE & GINGER ROGERS BOOK is a gem. This is a classic work from the 1970'

The Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers Book is both entertaining and informative. Croce provides insightful commentary on the two stars' careers, their films, and individual dances to compliment the delightful pictures throughout the book. The top corners of the pages can even be used as a flip book so you can see a sample of Fred and Ginger dancing. This book has a wealth of information and is fabulous for anyone interested in the history of dance on film.