Silver Screen Icons: Astaire & Rogers: Volume 2

Flying Down To Rio (1933)

Ginger Rogers and Fred Astaire might have gotten fourth and fifth billing in this breezy musical--their first film together--but they wound up dancing off with the show. The plot involves a bandleader-aviator (Gene Raymond) who calls upon both skill sets in order to win the heart of a Brazilian bombshell (Dolores Del Rio). Standout sequences include Fred and Ginger doing the "Carioca" together and dozens of chorus girls dancing on the wings of airplanes "in midair;" score includes "Music Makes Me" and the title tune. 89 min. BW/Rtg: NR

Roberta (1935)

While visiting Paris, an American football hero (Randolph Scott) drops in on the successful fashion house founded by his aunt. He finds that she’s passed away and left him the business...to his consternation, as much as that of her prize couturier (Irene Dunne). Meantime, his jazzman buddy (Fred Astaire) finds some gigs--and rekindled romance--courtesy of his chanteuse ex (Ginger Rogers). Sprightly Jerome Kern-Otto Harbach score includes "Smoke Gets in Your Eyes," "Lovely to Look At," "I Won’t Dance"; keep an eye out for Lucille Ball. 106 min. BW/Rtg: NR

Follow The Fleet (1936)

Fred Astaire is gum-chewing sailor "Bake" Baker and Ginger Rogers is dance hall hostess Sherry Martin at San Francisco’s Paradise ballroom, and together they dance to some of Irving Berlin's best-loved songs, including "Let's Face the Music and Dance," "Let Yourself Go," and "We Saw the Sea." Nautical musical, based on Hubert Osborne’s 1922 play, co-stars Randolph Scott, Harriet Hillard (later Nelson), Astrid Allwyn; look quickly for Betty Grable, Lucille Ball, and Tony Martin. 110 min. BW/Rtg: NR

The Story Of Vernon And Irene Castle (1939)

When showstruck New York teenager Irene Foote (Ginger Rogers) met British hoofer Vernon Castle (Fred Astaire), their chemistry was immediate...and their dancing skill would make them the toast of two continents during the 1910s. Wonderful production numbers and a fine supporting cast, including Edna May Oliver and Walter Brennan, make this a fond farewell to Fred and Ginger’s remarkable stint at RKO; score includes "Only When You're in My Arms," "Oh, You Beautiful Doll," "By the Beautiful Sea" and "Glow, Little Glow Worm." 93 min. BW/Rtg: NR

Standard; Soundtrack: English Dolby Digital mono.