Ginger Rogers Dances Phenomenal 'Swing Time' With Fred Astaire

Jun 07, 2020 by apost team

Ginger Rogers and Fred Astaire were one of the most popular on-screen duos during the golden age of Hollywood. They made 10 films together for studios like RKO and MGM. Their films together always did well at the box office.

They were both elegant, athletic dancers. And what's more, they had great chemistry together on screen. One of the supreme joys of "Swing Time," arguably the most famous film they did together, is their dance to the song "Pick Yourself Up."

One of the most notable things about "Swing Time" is that it explicitly showcases Ginger Rogers' skills as a dancer. In fact, part of the plot involves her being the dance expert in the partnership with Astaire. Her character is the one who teaches Astaire's character how to dance in this film.

While it must have been challenging for Astaire to pretend he was a beginner, it's amazing to see Ginger Rogers truly have the spotlight in this film. She really shines in her role.

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The fun concept of their big dance number together is that Astaire is saving her job by dancing with her. She's about to be fired but he shows her bosses that she is a dance machine who really gets results.

She's not showing off to toot her own horn: Astaire is showing her off to ensure she doesn't end up unemployed. It's a fun, creative way to lead into the number. "Pick Yourself Up" became a popular song but was originally written for this film by Jerome Kern (music) and Dorothy Fields (lyrics).

Watching these two perform together in this scene is an unbelievable treat. It's a perfect illustration of a popular quotation: Ginger really did everything that Fred did but backward and in heels. One can only guess how many hours of endless rehearsals must have gone into this number to make it look so effortless.

What are some of your favorite old Hollywood moments? Are Astaire and Rogers your favorite dance pairing or do you have a different one? Let's talk in the comments below!