TOP HAT

US, 1935, 101 minutes, Black and white.
Fred Astaire, Ginger Rogers, Edward Everett Horton, Eric Blore, Erik Rhodes, Helen Broderick.
Directed by Mark Sandrich.

Top Hat was a very popular teaming of Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers in 1935 and was acclaimed as one of the best films of the year. It repeats the plot line and style - from Flying Down to Rio and The Gay Divorcee. It also has the same supporting stars, However there is an Irving Berlin score which was very popular. Enjoyable for those who followed the career of Astaire and Rogers and the development of the musical in the 1930s.

1. An Astaire- Rogers vehicle? The formula and its popularity in its time, now?

2. The development of the sound musical via Astaire and Rogers, popularity in the '30s, escapism during the Depression the presentation of a song and dance world, its reality and unreality, the emphasis on wealth?

3. The styles of the two stars? Acting, singing and especially dancing ? both tap-dancing and ballroom? The comic supports?

4. The world of the films with the sets, artificiality, stylised production numbers?

5. The contrivances of the plot, romance, mistaken identities, eventual marriage? The perennial popularity of these themes and their contrivance, American style?

6. Fred Astaire and his personality, the show business type, his bursting into song and dance, romance, pursuit of Dale? Ginger Rogers as Dale, her work as a model, her suspicions, attraction towards Jeff, taking refuge in Venice, the mistaken identities and the impulsive marriage, the irony of all being well? A happy romantic duo?

7. The comic style of E. Everett Horton as Horace? his double-take, the contrast with Fred Astaire? Marge and the humour of the dominating wife? The conventional comic routines?

8. Bates and the English butler comedy routines and their enjoyment? Alberto and the poking fun at the proud Italian male?

9. How attractive were the songs and dances Top Hat, The Continental, Cheek to Cheek, The Weather etc.?

10. The Hollywood version of good and bad, right and wrong of the 1930s? The light touch for the times? The influence on later musical comedies?