Top Hat

1935 "They're Dancing Cheek-To-Cheek Again!"
7.7| 1h41m| NR| en| More Info
Released: 29 August 1935 Released
Producted By: RKO Radio Pictures
Country: United States of America
Budget: 0
Revenue: 0
Official Website:
Synopsis

Showman Jerry Travers is working for producer Horace Hardwick in London. Jerry demonstrates his new dance steps late one night in Horace's hotel room, much to the annoyance of sleeping Dale Tremont below. She goes upstairs to complain and the two are immediately attracted to each other. Complications arise when Dale mistakes Jerry for Horace.

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Reviews

GarnettTeenage The film was still a fun one that will make you laugh and have you leaving the theater feeling like you just stole something valuable and got away with it.
CrawlerChunky In truth, there is barely enough story here to make a film.
Fairaher The film makes a home in your brain and the only cure is to see it again.
Roy Hart If you're interested in the topic at hand, you should just watch it and judge yourself because the reviews have gone very biased by people that didn't even watch it and just hate (or love) the creator. I liked it, it was well written, narrated, and directed and it was about a topic that interests me.
Kirpianuscus It is a nonsense to explain why. It is the result of chemistry, magic, choreography. But ot is the best example for the Astaire\Rogers recipe. And that is enough for see it. Again.
edwagreen Fred and Ginger dancing to old favorite tunes with such elegance is the real reason to watch this movie.The plot centers around the fact that Ginger has confused the Fred character. She thinks throughout the film that he is married to Helen Broderick whose real husband Edward Everett Horton has a mate on the side complicating the situation.As the film goes along, you wonder when Rogers will find out the truth and then all shall become tranquil.Instead, this goes on aimlessly and her Italian boss enters into the picture, she weds him quickly, or at least they think they're wed.Helen Broderick is excellent as the wise wife who at first doesn't realize that her husband is being confused with the Jerry Travers (Astaire) character.Just put on a top hat and smile your way through.
oOoBarracuda How does one not fall in love with Fred Astaire after watching Top Hat? That's actually a serious question because I found, not just his character, but his mannerisms and the personality that he added to his characterization absolutely endearing. Mark Sandrich directed the well-known duo Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers in his 1935 feature, Top Hat. In this pairing, Astaire plays a dancer who, while staying at the hotel of his producer, begins practicing and disturbs the guest staying below. A romance that begins as an annoyance is the premise of Sandrich's film which is easy for the audience to sink their teeth into given the wonderful pairing of Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers. Topped with the fantastic dancing and beautiful chemistry of the duo, Top Hat is a standout in the brilliant filmography of Fred Astaire.While visiting his producer Horace Hardwick (Edward Everett Horton) in London dancer Jerry Travers (Fred Astaire) Jerry decides to stay overnight at the hotel with Horace. Jerry is anxiously looking forward to his next show and has a lot of energy to work off and can't keep himself from dancing in the hotel room despite the hour. His tapping disturbs Dale Tremont (Ginger Rogers) the guest staying below Horace's room. Dale decides to go upstairs and confront the noisemaker and meets Jerry. There is a spark of attraction between the two and they begin to flirt. The next morning, after a confusion, Dale mistakes Jerry for his married producer, becoming disgusted by his flirtation the previous evening. Later that day, however, Dale learns that Horace is married to her friend Madge Hardwick (Helen Broderick) which further confuses the situation. Hijinks and complications ensue, creating a delightful slapstick comedy, and one of the most well-known dancing numbers in cinema history, for the ages.All through Top Hat, I was mesmerized by the subtle grace and charm of Fred Astaire. His essence is so captivating, combining strong masculinity with a boyhood innocence, Astaire is an enchanting presence that dances right off the screen. Screwball comedies are fun, even without an absolute angel filling the screen with his graceful movements, Top Hat is no exception. Ginger Rogers is wonderful, I'm sure, but as I've mentioned before, I struggle to notice anything else when Fred Astaire is on screen. Astaire is so incredibly dreamy, I am so saddened that I'm just now formally "meeting" him. As more than a passing fan of cinema, I should have been in on the Astaire v. Kelly debate long before now, but better late than never, I suppose. Another wonderful journey with Fred Astaire, it's no wonder that Top Hat has persisted throughout the 80+ years since its debut.
TheLittleSongbird If there was one film that comes to mind when thinking of Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers it would be Top Hat. And it is easy to see why because it is a wonderful film, whether as a musical, comedy or a timeless and unsurpassed partnership. The story isn't its strongest asset, some may argue that it's the story that they remember the least about Top Hat and a lot of Fred and Ginger's other outings. However that doesn't matter all that much, because it still has a fantastical fun element and told with a lot of charm and warmth. And because everything here just works amazingly well. The art-décor settings are very sumptuous, with costumes that are equally stunning(some of Ginger Rogers' dresses have to be seen to be believed) and handsome photography. Irving Berlin's score and songs are some of the best of any 30s-50s film musical, the witty lyrics, charming melodies and distinctive style is just a joy to listen to throughout. Top Hat, White Tie and Tails is a very catchy title number and really allows Fred Astaire to make it his own, while Isn't It a Lovely Day is one of Berlin's most beautiful songs and Cheek to Cheek has some of the best choreography of any single song of any Fred and Ginger film. Piccolino also comes across very well, Ginger's singing isn't a wow factor but the song itself and the lively choreography do win you over. The songs are helped by the choreography, which is glamorous, good-natured and looks so light-as-a-feather when Fred and Ginger do it. The dialogue is very witty and warm-hearted, the highlights were the hansom-cab scene and anything involving Beddini. The characters are eccentric but immensely likable, it's very easy to warm to and relate to Jerry. And there's no going wrong with the performances either, Fred and Ginger's dance partnership is deservedly iconic, you just admire and sometimes envy how poised and athletic they both are, and their individual performances are just as charming, especially Astaire. The supporting cast sparkle just as much, especially Erik Rhodes who steals every scene he's in and even at times the whole film. In conclusion, a Fred and Ginger classic. 10/10 Bethany Cox