Swing Time (1936)
Grade: 61
"Swing Time" is a musical comedy starring Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers, one of ten films they made together. It followed their most successful film, "Top Hat", repeating that film's formula of light romantic comedy, singing, and dancing.
Astaire is once again a professional dancer, but makes his real money gambling, thanks to a lucky coin and cardsharp Victor Moore. Astaire is engaged to Betty Furness, but soon takes an interest in Rogers, who just happens to be a dancing instructor. Astaire has a rival for Rogers, just as in "Top Hat", proud conductor Georges Metaxa.
In addition to Astaire and Rogers, much of the supporting cast from "Top Hat" returns, particularly Helen Broderick and Eric Blore.
Some of the humor in "Swing Time" works well. When Astaire makes an unwelcome visit to his fiancee, the cat hisses at him. Later, Moore attempts to impress a dancing instructor, and clumsily knocks down a fence. But some gags can be seen a mile off, like the snowball that hits Broderick, and others just fall flat.
It is interesting that the studio would choose homely Moore as Astaire's sidekick. While Astaire is always formally dressed, he still does not look like a leading man, and does not need competition.
Of course, Astaire vehicles are considered classics due to the production numbers, which only make up a quarter of the feature's length. Even if the songs and choreography are outstanding, the film's grade would still be dominated by the script that constitutes most of the film. The songs are well-crafted but innocuous. Astaire certainly can dance, and there is interesting choreography with shadows in the 'Bojangles' production. But even that number is damaged by the poor singing of the ensemble chorus.
I thought "Swing Time" was only a marginally good film. However, most people clearly find more charm in Fred Astaire's vehicles than I do.
kollers@mpsi.net http://members.tripod.com/~Brian_Koller/movies.html
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