Roberta (1935)

Nominated for 1 Oscar
- 2 wins & 2 nominations total

Top cast54

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Irene Dunne

Stephanie

Fred Astaire

Huck Haines

Ginger Rogers

Lizzie Gatz aka Tanka Scharwenka

Randolph Scott

John Kent

Helen Westley

Aunt Minnie aka Roberta

Claire Dodd

Sophie Teale

Victor Varconi

Prince Ladislaw

Luis Alberni

Alexander Petrovitch Moscovitch Voyda

Ferdinand Munier

Lord Henry Delves

Torben Meyer

Albert

Adrian Rosley

Professor

Bodil Rosing

Fernande

Lucille Ball

Fashion Model
(uncredited)

Hal Borne

Wabash Indianian
(uncredited)

Halbert Brown

Wabash Indianian
(uncredited)

Candy Candido

Candy - Wabash Indianian
(uncredited)

William Carey

Wabash Indianian
(uncredited)

Virginia Carroll

Fashion Model
(uncredited)

1/2 a Rodgers-Astaire Movie is Better Than Almost Anything Else

It seems really bizarre that after starring in "The Gay Divorcée," Rodgers and Astaire went back to playing supporting roles in this one. Leads Randolph Scott are Irene Dunne are fine, but Rodgers and Astaire are on blazing whenever they're on screen, so Scott and Dunne get pushed into the background.

The story is contrived and theatrical and not a particularly exciting one. However, four great songs and dances lift it into the must see category: "Smoke Gets in Your Eyes," "Lovely to Look At," "I Won't Dance," and I'll Be Hard to Handle." Please note that the last three have lyrics by Dorothy Fields. She may have been the greatest lyricist of the 20th century with songs like "Sunnyside of the Street," "A Fine Romance," "I'm in the Mood for Love" and "Big Spender" to her credit.

The movie is a little dated and tedious at an hour and forty minutes, but, at least 30 of those minutes with Ginger and Fred are enchanting.

"Nous Sommes étonné." as Fred says in the movie.

jayraskin1
Aug 5, 2009
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Did you know

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Trivia
The floor in the "I'll Be Hard to Handle" dance was the only wooden floor in all of the Fred Astaire / Ginger Rogers musicals. They both loved working on it, as they could tap and actually make the sounds of the taps. In the other musicals, their taps were dubbed over, as they were too quiet. Their enjoyment is clearly seen, as their giggles at each other are unscripted.

Goofs
When John Kent arrives in Paris and goes to the building where Roberta lives, the doorman tells him that she is on the "troisième étage" and indicates that John should press the corresponding button. John eventually is taken to Roberta on the third floor, which is incorrect since the "troisième étage " corresponds to the fourth floor. In France, the "premiere étage" (first floor) is not the ground floor but the next one up.

Quotes
John Kent: You don't appreciate her. I know she seems a little hard and sophisticated, but underneath she's a pearl.
Huckleberry Haines: And a pearl so I'm told, is the result of a chronic irritation on an oyster.