Customer Reviews

Top Hat

5 star:		(17)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

The DVD was received in a timely fashion and was in excellent condition upon arrival. The DVD was of excellent quality when we viewd it. Outstanding service from Amazon.ca!!!!!

Fred may have danced with other girls, and Ginger may have had other leading men, but together, there were no others. (despite what the plot suggests, we know they'll end up together) Ginger is absolutely gorgeous in every scene, and in the cheek to cheek scene, she looks like a porcelain doll. Fred of course is unbeatable, just watch top hat white tie and tails to see what I mean. They go beyond chemistry in this film, they are the greatest dancing team in history for a reason. We can't imagine them with anyone else. In KITTY FOYLE, for which Ginger won the oscar, she had to choose between 2 men. If Fred had popped in, she wouldn't have given it a second thought. In TOM DICK AND HARRY the following year, Gin has to choose between 3 men. Had Fred been one of the choices, the movie would have been and hour shorter. In TOP HAT, we can't imagine them in any other movies, for they are just ASTAIRE AND ROGERS, and to quote Shall we Dance "they can't that away from me."

Both Astaire & Rogers were in the perfect place at the perfect time. Has there ever been a pair more suited to make exactly these movies at exactly this time in film and American history? They both graduated from the stage to film at just the time talkies took over Hollywood in the early 30's. They provided the safe slightly risque and mildly clever fare the public crowded the theaters to see. Ginger was so beautiful & talented; she might have made it in mainstream dramas and musicals. Fred, on the other hand, owed his livelihood to a top hat, coattails & a bow tie. He fit perfectly into the smallest of niches: the former vaudeville sing & dance star turned into a popular Hollywood old fashioned sing & dance star. Freed from the constraints of the stage, Fred & Ginger used the real world as their dancing backdrops & props. They define grace.

This was the first Astaire ROgers film I saw. I saw it on TCM, but only the last ten minutes. Since then, I've not only seen the whole thing, but I've bought it. GInger was never cuter than in Lovely Day, the team was never more seductive then inCheek to Cheek, with Ginger looking as light as a feather. (NIght and Day is a close second) Ginger's rendition of the Piccolino would run the depression out of an undertaker. I love it!

This film is a cult film with Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers. The plot is as light as a feather and the scene is as ritzy, and unluckily kitsch, as a Riviera hotel in Venice. It is all based on a quiproquo that each character uses as much as possible to entertain us with some light comedy. But the real and maybe only interest of this film is of course tapdancing. The only new element is that it is used as a dramatic spring to exacerbate the irritation of the young lady and develop the quiproquo. For once the tapdancing is not a decoration but a dramatic item. That's probably why this film has definitely survived oblivion. We must admit that the valet is by far also a good asset with his humor and impertinent remarks and we find it justified and funny for him to get a ticket, and even be arrested, for disguising as a gondolier, which is a national crime of the utmost magnitude in Venice.

Dr Jacques COULARDEAU

In my personal opinion, this is one of the best fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers movies. The singing and dancing is fantastic and gives you the true essence of Astaire and Rogers. The plot is rather similar to "The Gay Divorcee" 1934, but it still keeps you interested. It is also humorous. 'Cheek to Cheek' or the "feathers" number as some people call it is brilliant and beautiful, as is "Isn't This A Lovely Day to Be Caught In The Rain?", "No Strings", "Top Hat", and "The Piccolino". A must see for any musical or Fred and Ginger fan.

Ask fans of Astaire and Rogers what their favorite film of their's is with the two. Chances are "Flyin' Down to Rio" may come up even "The Gay Divorcee" but I bet with almost certainty that "Top Hat" will be one you'll hear most of them say. Sure, "Swing Time" is also considered their best among some fans, but, "Top Hat" is my all-time favorite. It's also one of my 10 favorite films. This is Astaire and Rogers at their best with one of the best scores they ever sang and dances to, though "Shall We Dance" is a close runner-up (That movie had "Lets Call The Whole Thing Off", & "They Can't Can't That Away From Me"). Every song in here has become a standard. "Cheek to Cheek", "Isn't It A Lovely Day", "Top Hat, White Tie, & Tails", & "I'm Fancy Free".

This was the team's 4th film and already by now there was plenty of chemistry going on. The two knew how to play off each other. "Top Hat" is the film most people think stealed the deal and made them an offical "team". In their film before this "Roberta" they were reduced to supporting players. And didn't get to sing many songs. Irene Dunne received that honor.

The plot to "Top Hat" has Fred playing Jerry Travers an American dancer who is going to perform in a show put on by Horace Hardwick (Edward Everett Horton). Soon, Jerry meets Dale Tremont (Ginger Rogers). But, Dale mistakes Jerry for Horace after many mishaps occur. Now, this is a bit used often in Astaire & Rogers films. They used it in "The Gay Divorcee", & "Shall We Dance". But, here I think it's used best. Infact, if I could only recommend one movie for someone to see by the team, I would suggest this film. It has all the elements that made the team famous. Wonderful songs, good chemistry, great dancing, and an unbelieveable amount of charm.

Highlight moments in the film have to include one of the team's best remembered moments, Fred telling Ginger he's "in heaven" as they dance "Cheek to Cheek". Check out Fred's dancing in the "Top Hat, White Tie & Tails" number. A song that to this day is STILL associated with him. And I personally love when they dance to "Isn't It A Lovely Day".

Bottom-line: A timeless classic Astaire and Rogers musical. For my money and time, their best! Many standout moments.

That magic of Astaire and Ginger Rogers lives here, as dynamic and exciting to watch today as they were years ago. Charming and effervescent, the couple want so much to fall in love, but are restrained by a sense of honor - for she thinks that he is her best friend's husband! The plot swings as it thickens, while they sing and dance their way through their courtship, highlighted by the most picturesque aspects of the city of Venice.

This movie is a singing, dancing, romancing, revelation, and a joy to recall for all of us. Stop the action to try a few of the steps and twirls yourself, or just sit back and enjoy. A treat among treats!...

This isn't just another Hollywood classic.

This isn't just another showcase for the fancy footwork of Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers, or anyone else.

Nor is this just another zany 'thirties comedy, peopled with some of the best (was Edward Everett Horton ever better?)

Simply put, this is one of the four or five funniest American movies you will ever see.

Ignore it at your peril. And don't say I didn't mention, for reasons of completeness, IT HAPPENED ONE NIGHT, HORSE FEATHERS, DUCK SOUP, SOME LIKE IT HOT, and ADAM'S RIB, also.

You know of one better than these? Than DO let us know . . .(France's MR. HULOT, maybe. . .)

After that, you have to move on to England, with KIND HEARTS AND CORONETS, THE BELLES OF ST. TRINIANS, THE LADYKILLERS, etc.

Until then, the previous list should suffice.

What a fantastic movie this is! It features wonderful music by Irving Berlin, wonderful elegance all around, and especially, wonderful Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers, the best team in the history of movies. The movie glides along, and you glide with it, and are swept up in the sheer joy of it all. The plot is absurd: Ginger thinks Fred is her best friends' husband. Fred, of course has no idea of this and pursues Ginger relentlessly. All of this is just an excuse for singing and dancing, and there is plenty of it, to some timeless Irving Berlin songs. It is some of the best you'll ever see. From the first moment when Fred starts puttering around to the tune of "No Strings," you wind up with a big grin on your face and amazement at how good he is. Ginger Rogers was always his best partner, because she was a perfect foil and a great dancer as well. But there was more to it than that. She was also a good actress and had great comic timing and always seemed ready to go along with the silliness of the plot. Here her best moment (and the best dance in the movie) is "Isn't This A Lovely Day." It is set in a sort of gazebo in a rainstorm and it is marvelous- the two wind up moving into a little tap competition- then thunder is heard, Ginger leaps into Fred's arms, they break apart, the music begins getting faster and faster, and suddenly they are whirling around the gazebo in giddy joy. The whole movie is marvelous, in fact. There is not a moment where I was dissapointed. 100 minutes of sheer pleasure.