Thursday, November 25, 2010

Cinema Style File--Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers Cheek to Cheek in 1935's TOP HAT


Lately I've really been enjoying the comfort of movies from the 1930s.  It's no wonder.  That was another time in our nation's history when we struggled through an economic crisis--in their case, the Great Depression--and yet there was still so much optimism reflected in the movies.  What audiences wanted most was a great escape, so Hollywood presented images that were polished and sophisticated--the soft black and white cinematography, Art Deco design, luxurious costumes, dancing through penthouses and parties, and all that witty banter.  Life in the movies was in sharp contrast to what most audiences were experiencing at home.


If you'd like to explore this era, you can't do much better than the movies of Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers.  Simply heaven to watch, these two--along with a great supporting cast like Edward Everett Horton--were just about as polished and sophisticated as you could get.  Last night, I was thrilled to come home and catch Top Hat on Turner Classic Movies, which is possibly their best movie together.  It was a perfect way to start reminding me of everything and everyone I'm thankful for in my life.





Happy Thanksgiving!

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