Balla con me

I wish that Fred and Eleanor had made more movies together. Fred had many good partners over his career, but Eleanor was the best tap dancing partner. Ginger Rogers was probably the most popular but I feel that was because she was more photogenic and not because she was the best dancer. I myself prefer the tap dancing to the ballroom dancing. Eleanor had no competition in the arena of tap dancing. The story in this movie is no better than any of Fred's other movies. I am only commenting on the dancing. The Broadway Melody of 1940 will never be excelled in what it had to offer. Even Murphy added no small contribution to this movie. I never realized he could tap dance.

Jerry Berry Salida, Co 81201

When ELEANOR POWELL and FRED ASTAIRE do their glittering "Begin the Beguine" number on a polished black-mirror floor wearing white outfits and tapping their way through a jazzed up version of the song, they can do no wrong. It's clearly the highlight of the whole musical and well worth waiting for. In fact, it's more than that--it's an iconic musical moment.

The story involves a slight case of mistaken identity that has to be straightened out before Powell can see that FRED ASTAIRE is the man she loves, not GEORGE MURPHY. Poor George always had the secondary role in these things--even with all that talent. It's reminiscent of the treatment he got in FOR ME AND MY GAL with Judy Garland being won by Gene Kelly instead of Murphy.

The reason for the high rating is simply this--FRED ASTAIRE and ELEANOR POWELL are without a doubt two of the greatest talents in the musical genre and their "Begin the Beguine" is the show stopper of show stoppers. Unforgettable.

Nothing else really matters, except to mention that their "Juke Box Dance" is also a treat to watch. Powell really excelled as a solo performer but when she and Astaire do manage to do a duo together it's well worth watching.

The genial supporting cast includes FRANK MORGAN at his blustery best and the lovely FLORENCE RICE, who appeared in quite a few of MGM's "A" films before disappearing from the screen.

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.

Well if you know anything about Fred Astaire movies, you already know that his films are never very long on plot. HOWEVER, the music and especially his dancing make up for a thin plot. This one is no exception. The plot of the movie is pretty unimaginative. But, the dancing is about as good as it gets!!! Be sure not to miss the final dance number, with Mr. Astaire and Ms. Powell dancing to "Begin the Begine". I would call it the quintessential dance routine of American film. It is a stark study in black and white. A black background, with twinkling stars, a shiny polished black floor, and the two dancing geniuses all in white. This is a MUST SEE for anyone who loves dance.

The fabulous Begin the Begiuine number deserves all the raves and superlatives it receives and is worth the price of the movie. Interest in it was revived by its appearance in That's Entertainment. However, seldom mentioned, and I forgot about it myself until I watched the dvd is the dazzling tap they do called the juke box number. Smaller in scale but as remarkable in its own way as the Beguine. Thanks the powers that be for DVDs...as one can watch and listen to these great song and dances over and over....their equal will never be seen again.