Post by snsurone on Apr 24, 2019 21:37:24 GMT
Born in 1899, he started out in show biz as a song-and-dance act with his older sister Adele.
When Adele married into British nobility, Fred continued alone and was a major Broadway star, and was signed to RKO as a supporting player in FLYING DOWN TO RIO.
However, when he arrived in Hollywood, filming of FDTR wasn't ready yet, so he was loaned to MGM to play himself in DANCING LADY, with Joan Crawford.
He quickly became a major star at RKO in a series of musicals with Ginger Rogers.
Although he wasn't handsome, his dancing skill was incomparable.
Unfortunately, he was named on that infamous list of stars labeled "Box Office Poison" in 1938.
After his contract with RKO expired, he made a few films for other studios, and then retired, saying that moviegoers were more interested in newcomer Gene Kelly.
However, when Kelly broke his ankle during the filming of EASTER PARADE, Astaire was coaxed out of retirement, and made a glorious comeback at MGM.
In fact, most of his best movies were for Metro.
As he aged, and his dancing skills lessened, he went into straight acting roles, such as ON THE BEACH.
In fact, he was nominated for an Oscar as Best Supporting Actor for THE TOWERING INFERNO.
IMHO, he was one of the greatest stars of the musical genre.
It's nothing short of pleasure to see his fluid moves, his grace, charm, and utter gentlemanliness.
I hope my fellow posters agree.
When Adele married into British nobility, Fred continued alone and was a major Broadway star, and was signed to RKO as a supporting player in FLYING DOWN TO RIO.
However, when he arrived in Hollywood, filming of FDTR wasn't ready yet, so he was loaned to MGM to play himself in DANCING LADY, with Joan Crawford.
He quickly became a major star at RKO in a series of musicals with Ginger Rogers.
Although he wasn't handsome, his dancing skill was incomparable.
Unfortunately, he was named on that infamous list of stars labeled "Box Office Poison" in 1938.
After his contract with RKO expired, he made a few films for other studios, and then retired, saying that moviegoers were more interested in newcomer Gene Kelly.
However, when Kelly broke his ankle during the filming of EASTER PARADE, Astaire was coaxed out of retirement, and made a glorious comeback at MGM.
In fact, most of his best movies were for Metro.
As he aged, and his dancing skills lessened, he went into straight acting roles, such as ON THE BEACH.
In fact, he was nominated for an Oscar as Best Supporting Actor for THE TOWERING INFERNO.
IMHO, he was one of the greatest stars of the musical genre.
It's nothing short of pleasure to see his fluid moves, his grace, charm, and utter gentlemanliness.
I hope my fellow posters agree.