The Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers Book

The Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers Book chronicles the iconic film partnership between two of Hollywood's most celebrated dancers. Published in 1972, this work by dance critic Arlene Croce documents the ten movies Astaire and Rogers made together at RKO Pictures between 1933 and 1939. Croce examines each film in detail, analyzing the dance sequences, musical numbers, and dramatic scenes that made the pair famous. The book includes rare photographs, behind-the-scenes information, and technical breakdowns of key dance routines from classics like Top Hat and Swing Time. The author traces how Astaire and Rogers developed their unique on-screen chemistry and dancing style over the course of their collaboration. Their creative process, working relationship, and individual contributions to their partnership are explored through production notes and contemporary accounts. At its core, this book illuminates how two performers revolutionized the movie musical genre and created an enduring template for romantic comedy through dance. Their work together represents a pivotal moment in film history when movement, music, and storytelling achieved a rare perfect balance.

Readers praise the detailed film analysis, comprehensive coverage of Astaire-Rogers' partnership, and high-quality photographs. Multiple reviewers note that Croce's technical knowledge of dance helps explain the complexities of their routines. Common praise points: - Clear breakdowns of dance sequences - Behind-the-scenes production details - Historical context for each film - Analysis of their dancing styles and chemistry Main criticisms: - Writing can be overly academic - Limited personal/biographical information - Some photo reproductions lack clarity - Price of out-of-print copies Ratings: Goodreads: 4.41/5 (17 ratings) Amazon: 4.8/5 (6 ratings) Notable reader comment: "The author's background as a dance critic gives depth to the analysis that other Astaire-Rogers books lack" (Goodreads reviewer) The book remains out of print, with used copies selling for $50-200.

Dancing in the Dark by Barbara Bretton A chronicle of Hollywood's golden age dance teams beyond Astaire and Rogers, covering partnerships like Eleanor Powell/Gene Kelly and Rita Hayworth/Fred Astaire.

Puttin' on the Ritz by Peter Levinson A biography of Fred Astaire that details his relationships with dance partners throughout his career, from his sister Adele to Ginger Rogers and beyond.

Steps in Time by Fred Astaire Fred Astaire's autobiography presents firsthand accounts of his experiences with Ginger Rogers and the making of their films together.

Dancing on the Ceiling by Deena Rosenberg An examination of the songwriters and composers who created the music for Astaire-Rogers films, including Irving Berlin, Jerome Kern, and George Gershwin.

Hollywood Musicals by Ted Sennett A comprehensive look at the golden age of movie musicals, with extensive coverage of the RKO films that made Astaire and Rogers famous.

🌟 Author Arlene Croce was the founding editor of Ballet Review magazine and served as The New Yorker's dance critic for over two decades 🎭 The book examines all 10 films Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers made together between 1933 and 1939, providing detailed analysis of their dance sequences 🎬 Many of the iconic dance numbers discussed in the book were filmed in single takes, as Fred Astaire insisted on shooting dance scenes without cuts 💃 The partnership of Astaire and Rogers helped RKO Studios survive the Great Depression, with their films consistently bringing in substantial profits 📚 When published in 1972, this was one of the first comprehensive works to seriously analyze movie dance as an art form, helping establish dance criticism in film studies