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Title: Story of Vernon and Irene Castle (Feature Films) by Fred Astaire, Ginger Vvno 8029 Rogers ISBN: 6-3002072-7-7 Publisher: Baker & Taylor Video Pub. Date: 01 January, 1988 Format: VHS Tape |
Average Customer Rating: 4.82 (11 reviews)
Rating: 5
Summary: Fitting swan song for Fred and Ginger at RKO
Comment: This is the ultimate way for a top flight screen team to go out in style. "The Story of Vernon and Irene Castle" was the ninth teaming of the legendary dance team of Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers and was a fitting conclusion to one of the greatest screen collaborations in movie history. While they would reteam at a later date for "The Barkely's of Broadway" it is for their RKO films that they are rightly remembered.
This excellent film has a very bittersweet feeling to it as we as viewers know that this is the last teaming by the two stars. The film combines drama, period detail and strong doses of sentiment and romance into an unusual vechicle for Fred and Ginger. For the first time in their teaming they portray actual historical figures..the legendary American dance team of Vernon and Irene Castle who in the early part of last century created a world wide sensation with their innovative interpretations of the foxtrot and polka among other numbers. They were also famous for a few of their own creations such as the Castle Walk which created a dance craze like no other the world has witnessed.
The story follows their life story together from Fred starting out as a second string vaudeville star to his marriage to Irene, to their lean years hiding from paying the rent in rundown hotels through to their great success in Paris on to when they become the toast of the dancing world. History is also incorporated into the story whereby World War 1 seperates them at the height of their success and concludes with Fred being killed in a flight accident. Rarely has there ever been anything about real life included in an Astaire & Rogers production but the two stars rise to the occasion beautifully and it is I feel their most heart felt production. Gone from this production are the mistaken identity plots so often used in their past vechicles together. Here we see what could really be classified as a drama combined with the most beautiful dance sequences you could imagine. In that way "The Story of Vernon and Irene Castle" is just as memorable as their earlier great successes together like "The Gay Divorcee", "Top Hat"' and "Swing Time".
The look of this production is really beautiful with all the great attention to the period detail. Indeed I often think this film has an MGM look about it so meticulous is the attention to appropiate costumne and settings. Ginger Rogers, who by this stage was starting to branch out into solo work with other leading men in a mixture of comedies and dramas is exceptional as Irene and she mentions in her autobiography that she had the real Irene Castle to contend with during this production as a creative adviser which was a very unnerving experience for her. She need not have worried as she delivers a wonderfully balanced piece of acting here and her character progresses beautifully from naive small town girl into a sophisticated woman of the world and the envy of every woman of her generation. In particular the scenes of her effect on the women of her time are both beautifully and amusingly done with her influence moving into fashion, face cream, hair styles etc . Fred Astaire , it goes without saying is in top form in thi sproduction and his dancing both in solo numbers and combining with Ginger are a real joy to witness and reveal why he is regarded as the greatest dancer movies have ever witnessed.
The supporting cast also adds wonderfully to the great feel that this film delivers. The wonderfully talented character actress Edna May Oliver, a supporting performer in countless memorable Hollywood productions, plays Maggie Sutton the gruff business manager with the heart of gold who sees the Castle's progress from poverty to world wide success and ultimately tragedy. Walter Brennan lends very able support as Fred's friend Walter who is a constant presence in their lives and is also, like Maggie, along for a life journey with the Castles.
For those of you who love fine dancing performed by the masters "The Story of Vernon and Irene Castle" can't be faulted. This film is unique in that it displays Fred and Ginger team as real life historical characters who gave the joy of dancing to a whole new generation. It's a beautiful production and is a wonderful showcase for the shining talents that were Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers.
Rating: 5
Summary: fine musical
Comment: Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers portray the dance team of Vernon and Irene Castle in the passable romantic musical THE STORY OF VERNON AND IRENE CASTLE.
The story is heartfelt, deeply sentimental and quite delightful. Ginger is luminous and she is affecting in the final scene. Her breakthrough dramatic performance in KITTY FOYLE has it's roots here.
Historically accurate, Fred and Ginger dance up a storm in an array of styles. The real Irene Castle designed Ginger's costumes herself.
All-in-all, a good effort from all concerned.
Rating: 5
Summary: wonderful
Comment: this movie is so sweet. After seeing eight preceeding films (all wonderful no doubt)where they squabble, it's so sweet to see them really act like a couple. The scene on the balcony of the Paris apartment, where Fred kisses her is aborable. Not to mention the acting is ducky. It would be easy to overact in a film like this but they pull it off fine. Ginger is a little scene stealer. (what else is new)
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