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Top Hat (1935)

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26 out of 26 people found the following comment useful :-
It's like dancing on air..., 7 June 2002

Author: gaityr from United Kingdom

TOP HAT is the quintessential Fred Astaire/Ginger Rogers film--it might be the first of their nine pairings together that I've seen, but already I can tell just what it is that makes 'Fred & Ginger' almost a brand-name everywhere. Neither Fred Astaire nor Ginger Rogers wanted to get too stereotyped as being the other's partner (Rogers especially took roles specifically to get away from being typecast as one half of a dancing team), but watching them dance, you really couldn't imagine their names coming apart in conversation. It will always have to be 'Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers', because their dancing takes your breath away. The fact that it is incredibly technically complicated is itself astounding... what makes it all the better is that they make it look so darn easy and natural.

Astaire plays Jerry Travers, a professional dancer who meets and falls in love with Dale Tremont (Rogers). He tries very hard to woo her, by filling her room with flowers and singing her through a storm (the beautiful "Isn't This A Lovely Day"). Dale, unfortunately, mistakes him for her friend Madge's husband, Horace Hardwick (played with acerbic relish by Edward Everett Horton). The comedy of errors continues for most of the film, since Dale continually mistakes Jerry for Horace (regaling Madge with 'Horace's' attempts at romancing her), and her costume designer Alberto Beddini is therefore convinced that Horace is the one he must 'kill'--so as to avenge Ms. Tremont.

The plotline itself is slightly fantastical, littered with just enough eccentric characters to have you falling off your seat laughing at some of the things they do and say. Erik Rhodes as Beddini, for example, has some of the best lines in the film--"I'm a-rich and a-pretty..." He practically steals the show, which is hard given the presence of veteran scene-stealers like Horton and Helen Broderick as Madge Hardwick. Although the comedy of errors arising from the mistaken identity wears a bit thin after a while, it *does* provide some absolutely top-notch comic moments. Take the scene when Madge urges Dale to dance with Jerry--the look of utter *un*comprehension on Dale's face when Madge keeps urging them to dance closer is most certainly one for the DVD pause button. ;)

Aside from the dancing (which is sublime, and undescribable--'Fred & Ginger' is something you have to see in action for yourself to believe), the score is brilliant. Irving Berlin has penned some of the most beautiful songs ever, and here we have just a small but certainly representative sampling of them, with "Isn't This A Lovely Day", "Top Hat, White Tie, and Tails", and, of course, "Cheek To Cheek"... a classic by any standard.

What Fred & Ginger lack in palpable, explosive chemistry (along the lines of that shared by Tracy and Hepburn, or Bogart and Bacall), however, they more than make up for in their perfect synchronicity with each other--they're perfectly in tune through every dance sequence, and that's a delight, and amazing, to see.

Overall the film is a bit uneven, coasting along on the charm of its dancing leads. But it's most certainly one that's worth watching, quite simply so you can finally say that you've seen a Fred/Ginger movie, and now know what all that fuss was about. Because, goodness, there really is nothing quite so magical as when Astaire takes Rogers in his arms and spins her around a dance floor, defying gravity and all laws of motion.

Physics means nothing when it comes to these two...

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21 out of 22 people found the following comment useful :-
Fred and Ginger at their very best, 8 June 2003
Author: didi-5 from United Kingdom

"Top Hat" has everything to make a perfect musical - great leading stars in Astaire and Rogers, good character support from Edward Everett Horton, Helen Broderick, and Eric Blore, fabulous numbers ("Top Hat, White Tie and Tails", "Isn't it a Lovely Day", "The Picolina", and "Cheek to Cheek"), an hilarious plot of mistaken identity, and breathtaking designs which transport you into a Hollywood fantasy of Venice. This was the stars' greatest teaming and the film packs a great deal of energy, fun, and sex all these years later. A true musical classic and one of RKO's finest.

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17 out of 20 people found the following comment useful :-
"Simply Reeks With Class", 23 June 1999
Author: Michael Coy (michael.coy@virgin.net) from London, England

The stage star, Jerry Travers, disturbs a young woman's sleep by tap-dancing on the floor of a hotel room directly above hers. The young woman is Dale Tremont, a beautiful fashion model. In the course of the movie plot, by way of London, Venice and the usual snags of mistaken identity, the two youngsters flirt, dance and fall in love.

Fred Astaire was a huge Broadway star and social lion long before he ever saw the inside of a film studio. A lucky pairing with Ginger Rogers (a film star in her own right) in "Flying Down To Rio" (1933) led on to a series of smash hits throughout the 1930's. "Top Hat" was the third film the couple made together, and for this one RKO Radio started getting serious, bringing in the legendary Irving Berlin to write the sparkling songs.

This picture was preceded a year earlier by "The Gay Divorcee", and is a repeat prescription of that successful formula - wealthy, elegant characters, frivolous lifestyles, light-hearted love and sumptuous dance numbers. It is not merely the storyline of 'Divorcee' that is repeated here - alongside Fred and Ginger, several of the cast members reappear. Edward Everett Horton was the lawyer Egbert in the earlier film, and here he is Horace the impresario, but is still Fred's bumbling buddy. Eric Blore was the wisecracking waiter, now he is the sarcastic valet: Erik Rhodes plays Italian buffoons in both films - Tonetti in 'Divorcee', Beddini here. Watch out for the girl florist ... it's Lucille Ball, two years into a very long and busy showbiz career.

The film's first number is "Fancy Free", an amiable little ditty which sets the prevailing tone of easy gaiety. Fred leads into it very nicely, his speech becoming more and more rhythmic until he lifts off into song.

"It's A Lovely Day" has a great tune, witty choreography, a thunderstorm and a superb bandstand set. Yet the song everyone associates with this movie is "Top Hat, White Tie And Tails": it doesn't involve Ginger at all, but Fred makes up for that by being in breathtaking form, his performance exuding athleticism, grace, poise and assurance.

Ginger gets her turn to sing with "The Piccolino", a song designed to accord with the plot's Venetian setting. It is the weakest number in the movie, and Ginger sings it without conviction.

In order for the plot knots to unravel, it is necessary for Horace to be kept apart from his wife Madge for 24 hours, even though they haven't met for weeks and they are staying in the same hotel. This is highly artificial, but such flaws are rendered negligible by the sweeping climax of "Cheek To Cheek", the splendid finale in which Fred and Ginger get to dance as lovers.

Verdict - Immortal stylish music and dance.

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13 out of 14 people found the following comment useful :-
You can't help but smile watching this movie., 23 December 1999

Author: Tommy-92 from Baltimore, Maryland

I'm only just now beginning to realize how silly the plot and some of the comedy was in this movie. When I watched it, it was perfectly wonderful, and I smiled all the way through. Fred and Ginger, of course, are perfect, whether dancing so memorably to the likes of "Isn't It a Lovely Day" and "Cheek to Cheek" or pitching woo. Edward Everett Horton, Eric Blore, and Helen Broderick kept it moving with their throughly entertaining comedy relief. Even almost 65 years after its premeire, it's still in tip-top condition, both in the print and in its impact, on first viewing, at least. (I'm afraid to watch it again, for fear the impact will be destroyed.)

I've seen almost all of Fred and Ginger's pictures since viewing this. Some are good, some less so, and all have their moments of excellence. But none of them matched this one in my mind for sheer feel-goodness. The ones that came closest were Swing Time, Shall We Dance, and The Story of Vernon and Irene Castle and The Barkleys of Broadway, the last two because they had quite plausible stories, (and in the case of Castle, one based on real life). But still, Top Hat is Fred and Ginger at their best, and hopefully will always stay that way in my mind.

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9 out of 9 people found the following comment useful :-
Fine Entertainment, With Everything But A Plot, 23 July 2001
Author: Snow Leopard from Ohio

This classic is fine entertainment with plenty of everything - humor, singing & dancing, good writing, and lavish sets and costumes. The only thing missing is a plot, but too much story might have taken attention away from everything else that makes "Top Hat" enjoyable to watch.

Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers are talented and charming as a somewhat star-crossed couple. The whole story line is that Ginger thinks Fred is someone else (who is married instead of single) and thus misinterprets and rejects his advances. Their many abilities and a fine script make this paper-thin plot seem not only acceptable but amusing. Edward Everett Horton is both funny and indispensable as Fred's friend (and the man whom Ginger thinks Fred is), and the rest of the supporting players are also quite good.

This is the kind of carefully produced classic that offers many reasons for watching - see it if you have the chance, whether or not you usually like musicals.

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10 out of 11 people found the following comment useful :-
Flying down to Venice, 21 May 2006

Author: jotix100 from New York

"Top Hat" is one of the best films Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers made together. Jay Sandrich, the director of most of their films knew what to bring to the story to make it perfect. It also helps the genial Irving Berlin was on hand to write some of his most beautiful songs to be sung in Fred Astaire's usual impeccable style. The sets were designed by Van Nest Polglase, who is equally at home showing Manhattan interiors as well as the Venetian fantasy sets.

Much has been said in this forum about the film, so we'll only add that Fred Astaire's Jerry was one of his best creations. Ginger Rogers as Dale Tremont, the high fashion model, shows an exquisite figure and is fine in keeping pace with Fred Astaire's dancing "cheek to cheek". The other best thing about "Top Hat" are: Edward Everett Horton, Helen Broderick, and Eric Blore. These three character actors are at their finest in the film. They make everything work because they are always there to lend a hand for the stars to shine without being on the way.

"Top Hat" is a happy film that keeps delighting viewers any time one is lucky enough to fall under its spell.

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11 out of 14 people found the following comment useful :-
Pursued by a love-sick dancer, 28 September 2002
Author: lugonian from Kissimmee, Florida

TOP HAT (RKO Radio, 1935), directed by Mark Sandrich, marks the fourth teaming of Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers, and up to that time, their best yet. A reworking in plot from their earlier outing of THE GAY DIVORCEE (1934), TOP HAT, in fact, the most admired of the two, could easily pass as a partial remake, rehash or possibly a sequel, mainly because of the sameness of the casting crew from THE GAY DIVORCEE, also directed by Mark Sandrich, making a return engagement, including Edward Everett Horton, Erik Rhodes and Eric Blore. Stepping in for Alice Brady is Helen Broderick, who proves somewhat far more amusing over Brady's silliness mainly because of her deadpan humor and dry-wit personality. Broderick makes her first appearance 46 minutes from the start of the story and gets things rolling afterwards. Also as in THE GAY DIVORCEE, Ginger Rogers gets to sing one song at the end of the film while Astaire carries on most of the vocalization.

The story opens in London. Jerry Travers (Fred Astaire) is an American dancer (what else!) who is to perform in one of Horace Hardwick's (Edward Everett Horton) upcoming musical shows. They share a hotel suite together where Jerry has an urge to sing and dance. His tap dancing disturbs a sleeping patron in the room below. Dale Tremont (Ginger Rogers), the upset hotel guest in question, comes up to the room above to register her complaint. After Jerry meets his complainer, he immediately falls in love with her, and decides to soft-shoe her to sleep by dancing on sand after she returns to her room. During his stay in London, he pursues Dale whenever he can, and sweeps her off her feet by dancing with her in the gazebo in the park during a rain storm. Because she doesn't know his name, she affectionately calls him "Adam." Dale is to later meet with her best friend, Madge Hardwick (Helen Broderick) in Venice, Italy, who wants to play matchmaker and pair this single young girl with her husband's friend, Jerry. The fun really begins when Dale mistakes Jerry for Madge's husband, and matters gets further complicated and funnier when Madge, Dale and Jerry meet in Venice with Madge giving the impression of pushing "her husband" over to Dale. But poor Horace, the innocent bystander, who has never met Dale but had confessed to once having a fling with a designing woman, finding himself being threatened with the sword by the accented Alberto Beddini (Erik Rhodes), Dale's dress designer admirer, and later, for no reason being given a black eye from Madge, who by then has been told by Dale about "her husband's" pursuit and wanting to marry her. Also in the storyline comes Bates (Eric Blore), Horace's faithful butler. Because Horace believes Dale Tremont to be a gold digger out to trap Jerry, he assigns Bates to follow Dale everywhere she goes in order to find out what kind of woman she really is. Bates going about in numerous disguises are some of the highlights this drawing room comedy of errors.

Aside from TOP HAT being long on laughs, with complications getting more confusing and better as it goes along, the movie takes time for five classic dance numbers with a score composed by the legendary Irving Berlin, including: "I'm Fancy Free" (sung and danced by Fred Astaire); "Isn't It a Lovely Day to be Caught in the Rain" (sung by Astaire/ danced by Astaire and Ginger Rogers); "Top Hat" (sung by Astaire); "Cheek to Cheek" (sung by Astaire/ danced by Astaire and Rogers); and "The Piccolino" (sung by Ginger Rogers and chorus/ danced by Astaire and Rogers); and "The Piccolino" (reprise, finale). Of the five, "Cheek to Cheek" remains a classic, used in film clips in many documentaries in regards to musicals or Astaire and Rogers. "Cheek to Cheek" was nominated for best song of 1935. Although it didn't win, it remains a memorable tune.

Any similarities between THE GAY DIVORCEE and TOP HAT are purely coincidental, but also an improvement. Both films are not only the most famous and televised of the Astaire and Rogers musicals, but present itself like a stage play. The only twist here is that TOP HAT, which borrows from THE GAY DIVORCEE, is actually an original screenplay (by Dwight Taylor), written especially for the leading pair. Other than the horse and buggy ride on the streets of London, the focal point remains mostly in the hotel suites, lobbies, dining areas and a brief ride on the gondola. TOP HAT gives the impression to be the most expensive musical ever released by RKO. It does. Even Ginger Rogers' dresses are glittering and rich in appearance, right down to her sleeping attire. A musical fantasy by way of costumes (how many women sleep with nightgowns flashier than a dinner dress?), TOP HAT finds Astaire singing and dancing right out of the blue, something very common in stage plays. Only the song, "Top Hat, White Tie and Tails" is a production number played to a theater audience on screen. Interesting to note that a title song, which usually comes at the end of the movie, is played and performed midway. In "Cheek to Cheek," and "The Piccolino," Astaire and Rogers start off by dancing along with the patrons, but soon they disappear and the camera catches them dancing alone. "The Piccolino" borrows and captures the mood from "The Carioca" from FLYING DOWN TO RIO (1933) and "The Continental" from THE GAY DIVORCEE in way of numerous dancers performing in brief montage effects, but "The Piccolino" happens to be shorter than the two aforementioned production numbers.

TOP HAT, available on video cassette and/or DVD, and presented either American Movie Classics or Turner Classic Movies cable stations, is fortunate to have had some deleted scenes currently restored. During the years of commercial television back in the 1960s, '70s and '80s, the scene involving Bates (Eric Blore) insulting an Italian police official (mainly because he believes he does not understand a word of English, but in reality does), and getting arrested afterwards, was among the missing. Whether seeing TOP HAT at 99 minute screen time, or in shorter prints of 93 minutes, the movie itself is a joyful musical experience that has stood the test of time. And look closely at the blonde flower clerk in the London sequence early in the story. Yes, that's Lucille Ball, the future "queen of television."

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8 out of 9 people found the following comment useful :-
Sublime Soufflé, 1 January 2006

Author: drednm

Top Hat is a terrific musical about mistaken identity that pushes the "joke" to the limit but never takes it self very seriously. Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers are perfect as actors, dancers, and pals in this engaging comedy with several great dance numbers.

Astaire does a great solo (with male chorus line) to Top Hat and teams with Rogers in The Piccolino, Isn't It a Lovely Day, and Cheek to Cheek. All excellent. During The Piccolino number they seem to be having so much fun it's contagious and it seems like the entire number is done in ONE TAKE! Co-starring are 4 great actors who all turn in splendid performances. Helen Broderick is Madge, the frustrated and wise-cracking wife. Edward Everett Horton is Horace, the henpecked but conniving husband. Eric Blore is the valet, and Erik Rhodes is Beddini. Each gets his/her turn in the spotlight. Broderick was the perfect "older" woman as sidekick, Horton and Blore are a great comedy team of scene stealers, and Rhodes has a ball fracturing English. Lucille Ball has a bit part as the florist's assistant.

Central of course are Ginger Rogers and Fred Astaire. The Cheek to Cheek number is a classic and is fun to watch the feathers fly off Ginger's dress. My favorite is The Piccolino, especially when it breaks into a swing number and the dancers can really cut loose. Great fun.

One drawback is the UGLY set decorations that are in the same style no matter where they are. It's all that white-on-white stuff with hideous Greek decals and floral sprays everywhere. Even the scenes in Venice are all white right down to the gondolas. And just why are people swimming in the canals?

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9 out of 11 people found the following comment useful :-
Blues-chasing Musical, 19 August 2001

Author: harry-76 from Cleveland, Ohio USA

Treat yourself to a dandy funfest, called, "Top Hat."

Fred and Ginger are on in one of their all-time smash hits, dancing superbly, singing up a storm, and acting the heck out of their fluffy, delightful roles.

The double-take master, Edward Everett Horton is Fred's rich-pal producer; sardonic Helen Broderick is Ginger's best friend, Madge; and persnickety Eric Blore is Everett's manservant, Bates. But it's the fantistic Erik Rhodes as the Italiano dressmaker, Alberto Beddini, who steals the show.

Mark Sandrich's direction, Astaire and Hermes Pan's choreography, Thomas Little's set decoration, and Irving Berlin's score, are faultless.

It all adds up to a laugh-a-minute, eye-popping bouquet from RKO Radio Pictures. See it in a full theatrical house with an audience who appreciates the period, the style, and the message ("Just sit back, relax, and enjoy") and you're in for special treat.

"Raise you glass of vino, and sing the Piccolino."

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10 out of 13 people found the following comment useful :-
Extremely Annoying Story, 3 September 2006

Author: ccthemovieman-1 from Lockport, NY, United States

This started off with a bang - a couple of good songs and some tremendous dancing by Fred Astaire. However, it bogs down with the standard storyline of mistaken identity which goes on and on and on. It just gets really annoying after awhile. Ginger Rogers and Helen Broderick continually mistreat and make accusations against their men. Then, when they find out their mistakes, they never apologize or act like they did anything wrong!

At any rate, it's always a pleasure to watch Rogers and Astaire dance together, but these stories......yeech! At least Edward Edward Horton added something to the story. The dialog is very dated and, for the millionth time, you see marriage treated with no respect.

Overall, you can find a lot better Astaire-Rogers movies than this overrated turkey.

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