Balla con me

The pairing of Eleanor Powell and Fred Astaire made for an interesting combination.

In most cases, when Fred danced with anyone, audiences' eyes tended to focus on him rather than his partner. Powell's natural charimsa shifted that norm. Not really taller than Astaire but more solid than his normal partners with very strong, full legs, Powell's presence demanded attention.

Actually, Eleanor didn't really need a dance partner. Like Ann Miller, Powell was a "single," a complete "deal" in one package. Eleanor could do tap, soft shoe, ballet, interpretive and classic with equal aplomb. Her energy and dexterity seemed limitless. Yet when she danced here with Fred, the restaurant and "challenge" dance sequences became classics.

Cole Porter's ravishing "I Concentrate on You" is presented in a beautiful rendition with rich baritone solo and Powell executing endless turns on pointe, all while moving in circles.

George Murphy is seen here at his tap dancing best. Yet while doing all the steps perfectly with Astaire, George's more beefy frame makes him seem more heavy, while Fred appears more facile.

This fun-filled film continues to be shown and enjoyed as a memento of a happy period--at least in terms of Hollywood musicals.

The greatest thing in all the "That Entertainment" films is the "Begin the Beguine" number from Broadway Melody of 1940". After years of carrying Ginger Rogers, (and her mother), Fred Astaire finally has a partner who can really DANCE! On Ice, it was Sonja Heine. In the water, it was Esther Williams. But on the dance floor, it was Eleanor Powell, the only female dancer ever to become an above the title movie star in her own right. In Broadway Melody of 1936, there is a male dancer, (not prestigious enough to get a turn with Eleanor), who seems to have the same general look and physique of Fred Astaire, who was working for RKO at the time. I think MGM wanted to prove they could find a "Fred Astaire", too. I call this guy "Faux Fred". In Broadway Melody of 1940, Eleanor gets to dance with the real thing, and the result is marvelous.

There is no big production, even thought the set is sumptuous, with a floor that is a flawless mirror. But other than that, it's the two of them, giving it all they had. Their dancing is flawless. It's what makes them different that is really interesting. Fred Astaire danced with his whole body. Most dancers look like puppets, (see James Cagney). It's all they can do to hold their arms out at the side. But Fred used beautiful hand movements, (his hands were as long and lithe as his legs), to frame everything he did. Eleanor Powell is a master of projection. You will notice most famous movie dancers have "big mouths". It enables their smile to light up the screen. Nobody did this more than Eleanor Powell, who made love to the camera while she danced. You can see them reacting to each other during their big number. At one point, Astaire is painting a picture with his fingers and you can see Powell spotting this and getting her hands out there, too. She doesn't want all the eyes to be on Fred. Then Fred notices her huge smile and breaks into a broad grin himself, feeling, no doubt that he doesn't want to be in Eleanor's shade. It just doesn't get better than this.

The only movie that starred Eleanor Powell and Fred Astaire, with both at their absolute best. The lines, the ryhythm, the syncopation, the extremely complex dance routines - in complete accord with the phrases of the music and all its variations - and with their making it look all so easy - especially in the Begin the Beguine finale! you would be hard pressed to find either of them in a better performance.

And let's not forget the exceptional talents of George Murphy - he did an excellent job holding up to the talents of first Fred Astaire (their Broadway song in the nightclub) and then Eleanor Powell (in their waltz number).

My all-time favorite movie.

This is one of Fred Astaire's best works, and probably Eleanor Powell's most memorable. For whatever reason she has not reached the iconic status Fred Astaire's other parter Ginger Rogers. I am not sure why, i personally think Eleanor Powell is a better dancer than Ginger Rogers. Maybe she got sick of show business, and that is the reason why she did not make more movies. But for whatever reason i think she definitely deserves more recognition than she gets. I would recommend this film to anyone. Even for people who don't typically like musicals i believe will be memorized by the talents of these two legends. When Astaire and Powell, dance both these great talents leave the viewer in aw.

Even though the story was corny, I loved this movie. It was dancing at its greatest. I have always known that Fred Astaire was the best but only recently did I discover Eleanor Powell, even though she was a star when I was a kid but kids don't enjoy musicals. Powell is the greatest and the best partner Astaire ever had. It is too bad they didn't make more movies together.

This is a movie I would recommend to anyone. It is one I can watch over and over again because the dancing is so fantastic. Even my grandchildren enjoyed this one. I would have given it a 10 but for the story but then every Astaire movie is a fantasy in dance but Powell makes this one a super fantasy.