George Stevens directed this Astaire/Rogers musical and many critics think very highly of it. There is certainly more plot than usual, (and consequently, less music), but this is the one with 'The way you look tonight', 'A fine romance' and the 'Bojangles of Harlem' number and any time Fred and Ginger are on the floor the movie soars, (witness their 'Waltz in Swing Time'). Unfortunately the comedy seems forced and neither Fred nor Ginger seem as happy in this film as they are in the Mark Sandrich movies, (maybe it's because they are cast as being in love almost from the outset and there is less sparring than usual). We also miss Edward Everett Horton. It's better than the films that followed it, (though I still have a soft spot for "Shall We Dance"), but it has a somewhat inflated reputation and doesn't hold a candle to "Top Hat".
Review of Swing Time
