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Fred Astaire

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by
andave_ya
, 04-27-2008 at 01:41 AM (2246 Views)
Mmm, these last couple of days I've been watching a lot of movies, old ones in particular. I hadn't watched any Fred Astaire movies in a long time and I've forgotten how much I love the classy gent. So yesterday and today I watched some of his movies: Easter Parade and, today, The Bandwagon. What a terrific guy he is!

Anyways, The Bandwagon has a really neat ballet in it that I thought Rich might enjoy. It is Fred Astaire and Cyd Charisse doing a jazz ballet that has a story to it -- something like a 30s nitty-gritty detective story. Fred with his incomparable classiness! However I've a sneaking suspicion that Rich will like Cyd more... .

Girl Hunt Ballet I can't believe I found all of it! YES! I really hope you like it, Rich!

Here's another Fred Astaire song, probably my favorite song from his color movies: Steppin' Out With my Baby

How can you not love him?! I must confess Fred is my favorite movie star -- more than even Sean Bean (though not more than Boromir ).

Watching Fred again, (as well as Carmen in a ballet with Mikhail Baryshnikov) I've been thinking about classiness and sophistication, and came to the realization that there are many kinds of classiness. I'm making it a goal to know as many as I can. There's a Fred Astaire sophistication, and a literary classiness--we're all connoisseurs there!-- an otherworldly classiness like Loreena Mckennit or our dear W.B. Yeats, a...well, you get the picture.

Good night, ladies and gentlemen!

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  1. mtpspur's Avatar
    My first comment went astray as the computer logged me out. So here's attempt number two. Thank you for the walk down detective lane. Somehow I knew the "Shadow" villian would be a lady. Just needed to be. Thanks again. And yes Cyd was easier on the eyes.
  2. LadyWentworth's Avatar
    I meant to tell you that I watched this film with him called "Second Chorus". Have you ever seen that one? It was so odd because it is from 1941 and it seemed like it was actually so much older. It was really late at night when it came on. When I saw his smiling face I immediately thought of you! Yes, the man oozes class! Actually, so does Cyd Charisse! Ah, that is what we need nowadays. We need to get class back all around in society! I was listening to my Astaire-Rogers CD's the other day, in fact. "Steppin' Out With My Baby". Not much to say but that it is great! Oh, how I love his version of "The Way You Look Tonight"! Of course, I am somewhat hooked on "Isn't This a Lovely Day" lately!! That scene with Fred and Cyd is one of my favorites from a musical! He really was one-of-a-kind, wasn't he? See, you have me gushing now!
  3. ampoule's Avatar
    and the fact that the girls do everything he does, only backwards, in high heels!
  4. Virgil's Avatar
    He is so elegant and moves so beautifully. I don't think we have anyone like that today. He is so classy. Thanks for Andy.
  5. sprinks's Avatar
    He was a favourite amongst the class when we had to do an assignment on the history of movie stars. Fred and Ginger were certainly a very talented couple! When doing my assignment it really made me laugh when I read about his comments from people from his first audition or something like that, about how he wasn't a great singer or great looking, and could dance a little. Of course the exact words were longer and more detailed, but you get the idea. How wrong can people be sometimes?!
  6. applepie's Avatar
    Now you have me ready to pull some out:) I've not watched Fred Astaire in a long time, and now I've a yearning to see some. Take Care, Meg
  7. B-Mental's Avatar
    I love Fred Astaire, and Ginger Rogers was a knock out! Its funny you should mention old movies, as I recently purchased the DVD for the movie Casablanca. Suzie says she hasn't seen it ever. I hope she likes it. See ya, B.
  8. andave_ya's Avatar
    Oh wow. Oh wow oh wow. That you all actually like Fred and Ginger is a testament to your own individual, inimitable classiness. I expected only one or two comments here, not eight!
  9. downing's Avatar
    WOW isn't Fred Astaire awesome! I like him too very very much!!!! *thanks for reading my blog and posting* *hugs*
  10. GrayFoxDown's Avatar
    Andave, if you haven't done so yet, you must see Fred in FINNEGAN'S RAINBOW. I first saw the film upon its release in 1968 and movies audiences were thrilled and astonished by his (he was 69) enduring talents. Some of his greatest dancing occurs in that that film. See you later. (By the way, I'm with Rich: Cyd was always easy on my eyes...and more. )
  11. andave_ya's Avatar
    Oh, I have seen Finnegan's Rainbow, and love it tremendously!! When I saw him dancing I just wanted to kiss him. Talk about aging gracefully -- I'm smiling just thinking about the Talented Mr. Astaire!!