199. Top Hat; movie review

 

TOP HAT

Cert U

99 mins

BBFC advice: Contains mild sex references, very mild comic violence

As I watched Glastonbury festival on telly, I mused how many of the songs would pass the test of time.

Therefore, top hats off to Irving Berlin for penning two ditties in the classic 1935 musical that we can still sing along to 88 years later.

I wasn't surprised by the music or incredibly lithe dancing during Mark Sandrich's movie but its comedy tickled my funny bone more than I had expected.

This is a farce, starring Fred Astaire as a famous stage star brought to London by his friend, a theatre producer (Edward Everett Horton).

To keep him out of the public eye, he stays at his pal's very plush hotel, alongside his valet (Eric Blore).

However, he does incur the wrath of Dale Tremont (Ginger Rogers) in the suite below because of his enthusiastic tap-dancing above her.

Inevitably, romance sparks from. the initial bust-up but confusion also abounds.

Top Hat doesn't bear much scrutiny (if Astaire's character is so famous how come nobody recognises him) - but audiences of the time wouldn't have cared.

They would have just wanted to see spectacular choreography and enjoyed some giggles and great tunes, including Top Hat, White Tie & Tail and Cheek To Cheek

It delivers on all counts and, despite it flaunting wealth, the have-nots who packed cinemas of 1935 would have found it a great diversion from their humdrum.

Thus, it was critically acclaimed and a box office hit.

And, do you know what? I thought it was great in 2023.

Reasons to watch: Classic Fred & Ginger

Reasons to avoid: A bit wee

Laughs: Four

Jumps: None

Vomit: None

Nudity: None

Overall rating: 8.5/10

Did you know? When it was initially suggested he teamed up with Ginger Rogers, Fred Astaire sent a telegram to his agent, Leland Hayward, which read, “What’s all this talk about me being teamed with Ginger Rogers? I will not have it Leland."

The final word. Irving Berlin: "It’s as favorite as I can get. I love it. And ‘Top Hat, White Tie and Tails’ is the best of the songs I wrote for the Astaire films." Library Of Congress

Share this post