25 Movies Starring Fred Astaire

The Gay Divorcee

The Gay Divorcee

Basic Info:

Released Date:

1934-10-12

Languages:

English, French, Italian

Countries:

USA

Runtime:

107 min

Rated:

APPROVED

IMDB Ratings:

7.6 (4973 Reviews)

Director:

Mark Sandrich

Cast:

Writer:

Dwight Taylor (from the book by)

Kenneth S. Webb (musical adaptation)

Samuel Hoffenstein (musical adaptation)

George Marion Jr. (screen play)

Dorothy Yost (screen play)

Edward Kaufman (screen play)

Fullplot:

Mimi Glossop wants a divorce so her Aunt Hortense hires a professional to play the correspondent in apparent infidelity. American dancer Guy Holden meets Mimi while visiting Brightbourne (Brighton) and she thinks he is the correspondent. The plot is really an excuse for song and dance. The movie won three Academy nominations and the first Oscar for Best Song: "The Continental", a twenty-two minute production number.

Roberta

Roberta

Basic Info:

Released Date:

1935-03-08

Languages:

English, French, Russian

Countries:

USA

Runtime:

106 min

Rated:

APPROVED

IMDB Ratings:

7.2 (1950 Reviews)

Cast:

Writer:

Jerome Kern (from the play)

Otto A. Harbach (book)

Alice Duer Miller (novel)

Jane Murfin (screen play)

Sam Mintz (screen play)

Allan Scott (screen play)

Glenn Tryon (additional dialogue)

Fullplot:

Football player John Kent tags along as Huck Haines and the Wabash Indianians travel to an engagement in Paris, only to lose it immediately. John and company visit his aunt, owner of a posh fashion house run by her assistant, Stephanie. There they meet the singer Scharwenka (alias Huck's old friend Lizzie), who gets the band a job. Meanwhile, Madame Roberta passes away and leaves the business to John and he goes into partnership with Stephanie.

Top Hat

Top Hat

Basic Info:

Released Date:

1935-09-06

Languages:

English, Italian

Countries:

USA

Runtime:

101 min

Rated:

APPROVED

IMDB Ratings:

7.9 (12442 Reviews)

Director:

Mark Sandrich

Cast:

Writer:

Dwight Taylor (screen play)

Allan Scott (screen play)

Dwight Taylor (story)

Fullplot:

Showman Jerry Travers is working for producer Horace Hardwick in London. Jerry demonstrates his new dance steps late one night in Horace's hotel, 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.

Follow the Fleet

Follow the Fleet

Basic Info:

Released Date:

1936-02-20

Languages:

English

Countries:

USA

Runtime:

110 min

Rated:

APPROVED

IMDB Ratings:

7.3 (2828 Reviews)

Director:

Mark Sandrich

Cast:

Writer:

Dwight Taylor (screen play)

Allan Scott (screen play)

Hubert Osborne (founded upon the play "Shore Leave")

Fullplot:

When the fleet puts in at San Francisco, sailor Bake Baker tries to rekindle the flame with his old dancing partner, Sherry Martin, while Bake's buddy Bilge Smith romances Sherry's sister Connie. But it's not all smooth sailing: Bake has a habit of losing Sherry's jobs for her; and despite Connie's dreams, Bilge is not ready to settle down.

Swing Time

Swing Time

Basic Info:

Released Date:

1936-10-12

Languages:

English, French

Countries:

USA

Runtime:

103 min

Rated:

NOT RATED

IMDB Ratings:

7.7 (8447 Reviews)

Director:

George Stevens

Cast:

Writer:

Howard Lindsay (screen play)

Allan Scott (screen play)

Erwin S. Gelsey (from a story by)

Fullplot:

Lucky is tricked into missing his wedding to Margaret by the other members of Pop's magic and dance act, and has to make $25000 to be allowed to marry her. He and Pop go to New York where they run into Penny, a dancing instructor. She and Lucky form a successful dance partnership, but romance is blighted (till the end of the film at least!) by his old attachment to Margaret and hers for Ricardo, the band leader who won't play for them to dance together.

A Damsel in Distress

A Damsel in Distress

Basic Info:

Released Date:

1937-11-19

Languages:

English

Countries:

USA

Runtime:

101 min

Rated:

APPROVED

IMDB Ratings:

(1214 Reviews)

Director:

George Stevens

Cast:

Writer:

P.G. Wodehouse (screen play)

Ernest Pagano (screen play)

S.K. Lauren (screen play)

P.G. Wodehouse (from the story by)

Fullplot:

Lady Alyce Marshmorton must marry soon, and the staff of Tottney Castle have laid bets on who she'll choose, with young Albert wagering on "Mr. X." After Alyce goes to London to meet a beau (bumping into dancer Jerry Halliday, instead), she is restricted to the castle to curb her scandalous behavior. Albert then summons Jerry to Alyce's aid in order to "protect his investment."

Shall We Dance

Shall We Dance

Basic Info:

Released Date:

1937-05-07

Languages:

English, French

Countries:

USA

Runtime:

109 min

Rated:

APPROVED

IMDB Ratings:

7.6 (4761 Reviews)

Director:

Mark Sandrich

Cast:

Writer:

Allan Scott (screen play)

Ernest Pagano (screen play)

P.J. Wolfson (adaptation)

Lee Loeb (based on a story by)

Harold Buchman (based on a story by)

Fullplot:

Ballet star Pete "Petrov" Peters arranges to cross the Atlantic aboard the same ship as the dancer he's fallen for but barely knows, musical star Linda Keene. By the time the ocean liner reaches New York, a little white lie has churned through the rumor mill and turned into a hot gossip item: that the two celebrities are secretly married.

Carefree

Carefree

Basic Info:

Released Date:

1938-09-02

Languages:

English

Countries:

USA

Runtime:

83 min

Rated:

PASSED

IMDB Ratings:

7.2 (2282 Reviews)

Director:

Mark Sandrich

Cast:

Writer:

Allan Scott (screen play)

Ernest Pagano (screen play)

Dudley Nichols (story)

Hagar Wilde (story)

Marian Ainslee (based on an original idea by)

Guy Endore (based on an original idea by)

Fullplot:

Dr. Tony Flagg's friend, Steven, has problems in the relationship with his fiancee, Amanda, so he persuades her to visit Dr. Flagg. After some minor misunderstandings, she falls in love with Dr. Flagg. When he tries to use hypnosis to strengthen her feelings for Steven, things get complicated.

The Story of Vernon and Irene Castle

The Story of Vernon and Irene Castle

Basic Info:

Released Date:

1939-03-29

Languages:

English

Countries:

USA

Runtime:

93 min

Rated:

APPROVED

IMDB Ratings:

(1586 Reviews)

Director:

H.C. Potter

Cast:

Writer:

Richard Sherman (screen play)

Oscar Hammerstein II (adaptation)

Dorothy Yost (adaptation)

Irene Castle (based on stories: "My Husband" and "My Memories of Vernon Castle" by)

Fullplot:

In 1911, Vernon Castle, minor comic in a stage revue, pursues the leading lady to a New Jersey beach...where, instead, he meets stage-struck Irene Foote. A few misadventures later, they're married; at Irene's insistence, they abandon comedy to attempt a dancing career, which attempt only lands them in Paris without a sou. Fortunately, agent Maggie Sutton hears them rehearse and starts them on their brilliant career as the world's foremost ballroom dancers. But at the height of their fame, World War I begins...

Holiday Inn

Holiday Inn

Basic Info:

Released Date:

1942-11-26

Languages:

English

Countries:

USA

Runtime:

100 min

Rated:

PASSED

IMDB Ratings:

7.6 (7890 Reviews)

Director:

Mark Sandrich

Cast:

Writer:

Claude Binyon (screenplay)

Elmer Rice (adaptation)

Irving Berlin (idea)

Fullplot:

Lovely Linda Mason has crooner Jim Hardy head over heels, but suave stepper Ted Hanover wants her for his new dance partner after femme fatale Lila Dixon gives him the brush. Jim's supper club, Holiday Inn, is the setting for the chase by Hanover and manager Danny Reed. The music's the thing.

Ziegfeld Follies

Ziegfeld Follies

Basic Info:

Released Date:

1946-04-08

Languages:

English

Countries:

USA

Runtime:

110 min

Rated:

APPROVED

IMDB Ratings:

6.6 (2028 Reviews)

Cast:

Writer:

David Freedman

Hugh Martin

Ralph Blane

Fullplot:

In heaven, showman Florenz Ziegfeld Jr. fondly recalls his first Broadway revue, the Ziegfeld Follies of 1907. Even from heaven, he is hoping that he can, for one last time, create that same magic by mounting one last follies. As he thinks about who he would like to appear in these follies, he is assisted in realizing his fantasy, at least in his own mind, by such luminaries as Fred Astaire, Edward Arnold, 'Lucille Ball', Marion Bell, Lucille Bremer, Fanny Brice, Cyd Charisse, Judy Garland, Kathryn Grayson, Lena Horne, Gene Kelly, James Melton, Victor Moore, Virginia O'Brien, Red Skelton, Esther Williams, Keenan Wynn, and, of course, a bevy of beautiful girls.

Easter Parade

Easter Parade

Basic Info:

Released Date:

1948-07-08

Languages:

English, French, Italian

Countries:

USA

Runtime:

107 min

Rated:

APPROVED

IMDB Ratings:

7.5 (6091 Reviews)

Director:

Charles Walters

Cast:

Writer:

Sidney Sheldon (screenplay)

Frances Goodrich (screenplay)

Albert Hackett (screenplay)

Frances Goodrich (original story)

Albert Hackett (original story)

Fullplot:

Don Hewes and Nadine Hale are a dancing team, but she decides to start a career on her own. So he takes the next dancer he meets, Hannah Brown, as a new partner. After a while this new team is so successful, that Florenz Ziegfeld is interested in them, but due to the fact, that Nadine Hale dances also in the Ziegfeld Follies Don says no. In spite of the fact, that he is in love with Hannah, he keeps the relation to her strictly business. So Hannah is of the opinion, that he is still in love with Nadine, and her suspicion grows, when he dances with Nadine in a Night Club Floor Show.

The Barkleys of Broadway

The Barkleys of Broadway

Basic Info:

Released Date:

1949-09-01

Languages:

English, French

Countries:

USA

Runtime:

109 min

Rated:

PASSED

IMDB Ratings:

(1923 Reviews)

Director:

Charles Walters

Cast:

Writer:

Betty Comden (original screenplay)

Adolph Green (original screenplay)

Fullplot:

Josh and Dinah Barkley are a successful (though argumentative) musical-comedy team, yet Dinah chafes as Galatea to her husband's Pygmalion. When serious playwright Jacques Barredout envisions her as a great dramatic actress, Dinah is not hard to persuade.

Three Little Words

Three Little Words

Basic Info:

Released Date:

1950-07-12

Languages:

English

Countries:

USA

Runtime:

102 min

Rated:

UNRATED

IMDB Ratings:

7.1 (1107 Reviews)

Director:

Richard Thorpe

Cast:

Writer:

George Wells (screenplay)

Fullplot:

Song-and-dance man Bert Kalmar can't continue his stage career after an injury for while, so he has to earn his money as a lyricst. Per chance he meets composer Harry Ruby and their first song is a hit. Ruby gets Kalmar to marry is former partner Jessie Brown, and Kalmar and Jessie prevent Ruby from getting married to the wrong girls. But due to the fact, that Ruby has caused a backer's withdrawal for a Kalmar play, they end their relation.

The Band Wagon

The Band Wagon

Basic Info:

Released Date:

1953-08-07

Languages:

English, French

Countries:

USA

Runtime:

112 min

Rated:

PASSED

IMDB Ratings:

7.6 (6922 Reviews)

Cast:

Writer:

Betty Comden (story)

Adolph Green (story)

Fullplot:

Tony Hunter, a famous singer/dancer movie star, is feeling washed up and old hat (old top hat, tie and tails to be exact). The reporters are out for Ava Gardner, not him. But his old friends Lily and Les Martin have an idea for a funny little Broadway show and he agrees to do it. But things begin to get out of hand, when bigshot "artistic" director/producer/star Jeffrey Cordova joins the production, proclaims it's a modernistic Faust and insists on hiring a prima ballerina, Gabrielle Gerard, to star opposite Tony, and it's hate at first sight. And her jealous choreographer isn't helping to ease the tension. The show is doomed by pretentiousness. But romance, a "let's put on a show" epiphany, and a triumphant opening are waiting in the wings. After all, this is a musical comedy!

Daddy Long Legs

Daddy Long Legs

Basic Info:

Released Date:

1955-05-05

Languages:

English, French

Countries:

USA

Runtime:

126 min

Rated:

APPROVED

IMDB Ratings:

6.8 (2435 Reviews)

Director:

Jean Negulesco

Cast:

Writer:

Phoebe Ephron (screenplay)

Henry Ephron (screenplay)

Jean Webster (novel)

Fullplot:

On a trip to France, millionaire Jervis Pendelton sees an 18 year old girl in an orphanage. Enchanted with her, but mindful of the difference in their ages, he sponsors her to college in New England. She writes him letters, which he doesn't read. After 3 years, he goes to visit her at a dance, not telling her that he is her benefactor. They fall in love, but the usual movie-type difficulties get in the way before they can get together at the end.

Funny Face

Funny Face

Basic Info:

Released Date:

1957-02-13

Languages:

English, French

Countries:

USA

Runtime:

103 min

Rated:

UNRATED

IMDB Ratings:

7.1 (17074 Reviews)

Director:

Stanley Donen

Fullplot:

Fashion photographer Dick Avery, in search for an intellectual backdrop for an air-headed model, expropriates a Greenwich Village bookstore. When the photo session is over the store is left in a shambles, much to salesgirl Jo Stockton's dismay. Avery stays behind to help her clean up. Later, he examines the photos taken there and sees Jo in the background of one shot. He is intrigued by her unique appearance, as is Maggie Prescott, the editor of a leading fashion magazine. They offer Jo a modeling contract, which she reluctantly accepts only because it includes a trip to Paris. Eventually, her snobbish attitude toward the job softens, and Jo begins to enjoy the work and the company of her handsome photographer.

Silk Stockings

Silk Stockings

Basic Info:

Released Date:

1957-07-18

Languages:

English

Countries:

USA

Runtime:

117 min

Rated:

APPROVED

IMDB Ratings:

6.9 (2559 Reviews)

Cast:

Writer:

Melchior Lengyel (book)

George S. Kaufman (play)

Leueen MacGrath (play)

Abe Burrows (play)

Leonard Gershe (screenplay)

Leonard Spigelgass (screenplay)

Fullplot:

A musical remake of Ninotchka: After three bumbling Soviet agents fail in their mission to retrieve a straying Soviet composer from Paris, the beautiful, ultra-serious Ninotchka is sent to complete their mission and to retrieve them. She starts out condemning the decadent West, but gradually falls under its spell, with the help of Steve Canfield, an American movie producer.

On the Beach

On the Beach

Basic Info:

Released Date:

1959-12-17

Languages:

English

Countries:

USA

Runtime:

134 min

Rated:

APPROVED

IMDB Ratings:

7.3 (8682 Reviews)

Director:

Stanley Kramer

Genres:

DramaSci-Fi

Cast:

Writer:

John Paxton (screenplay)

Nevil Shute (novel)

Fullplot:

In 1964, atomic war wipes out humanity in the northern hemisphere; one American submarine finds temporary safe haven in Australia, where life-as-usual covers growing despair. In denial about the loss of his wife and children in the holocaust, American Captain Towers meets careworn but gorgeous Moira Davidson, who begins to fall for him. The sub returns after reconnaissance a month (or less) before the end; will Towers and Moira find comfort with each other?

The Notorious Landlady

The Notorious Landlady

Basic Info:

Released Date:

1962-04-01

Languages:

English

Countries:

USA

Runtime:

123 min

IMDB Ratings:

6.8 (1149 Reviews)

Director:

Richard Quine

Cast:

Writer:

Larry Gelbart (screenplay)

Blake Edwards (screenplay)

Margery Sharp (story)

Fullplot:

When William Gridley arrives from the US in London, he rents part of Carly Hardwicke's house from her and promptly begins to fall in love. Gridley doesn't know that many people think she killed her husband but his boss, the American ambassador, knows and doesn't take this "lapse of judgement" lightly. Since Carly is also American, Gridley saves his job by introducing her to the ambassador, who is promptly smitten and promises to help her. So when a Scotland Yard detective arrives, wanting to get to the truth one way or another, they say they'll help him. And then the comedic complications really begin.

Finian's Rainbow

Finian's Rainbow

Basic Info:

Released Date:

1968-10-09

Languages:

English, French

Countries:

USA

Runtime:

141 min

Rated:

G

IMDB Ratings:

6.2 (2390 Reviews)

Cast:

Writer:

E.Y. Harburg (book)

Fred Saidy (book)

E.Y. Harburg (screenplay)

Fred Saidy (screenplay)

Fullplot:

Of Glocca Morra, Ireland, Finian McLongeran, who has his own unique belief system of Irish legends, uproots himself and his adult daughter, Sharon McLonergan, and heads for the mythical land of Rainbow Valley, Missitucky, USA where he believes he will become rich. One of those beliefs is that burying a crock of gold in Rainbow Valley will make it multiply, due to the power of rainbows and the Valley's close proximity to Fort Knox. Finian considers that he "borrowed" the crock of gold he has from the leprechauns of Glocca Morra, which he plans to return once he makes his fortune. Little does he know that in taking the gold, the leprechauns can no longer make wishes come true and are slowly turning mortal. One of those leprechauns, Og, has come to retrieve the crock of gold to save himself and his fellow leprechauns. Finian and Sharon's arrival in Rainbow Valley coincides with the return of the Valley's prodigal son, Woody Mahoney, who has come to repay back taxes before his land is auctioned off. Woody's sister, Susan Mahoney, is referred to by most Susan the Silent, as she has never spoken and communicates primarily through dance. In helping the Mahoneys repay those taxes, Finian only asks for a small parcel of that land for him and Sharon, and mostly for a place to bury the crock of gold. With the rest of the land, Woody and his friend, Howard, a research botanist, plan to revolutionize the tobacco industry by growing the first ever mentholated tobacco plants, which is a little more difficult to accomplish than they initially believe. Much like Finian, Woody plans on getting rich the easy way, in Woody's case off the hard work of Howard. Regardless of Sharon's dislike of what Woody is doing by being what she considers a schemer, the two fall in love. Finian's assistance of Woody in keeping the land irks bigoted Senator Billboard Rawkins, who has been trying to buy up as much land in the Valley as possible. Complications ensue for all involved because of the crock of gold, even though most have not seen it or even know it exists for real.

That's Entertainment!

That's Entertainment!

Basic Info:

Released Date:

1974-06-21

Languages:

English

Countries:

USA

Runtime:

135 min

Rated:

G

IMDB Ratings:

7.7 (3671 Reviews)

Director:

Jack Haley Jr.

Fullplot:

MGM musical numbers from the introduction of sound in the late '20s through to the 1950s, possibly with Fred Astaire, Gene Kelly, and Judy Garland getting the most coverage. Linked by some of the stars who worked at MGM handing the commentary on one to another.

That's Entertainment, Part II

That's Entertainment, Part II

Basic Info:

Released Date:

1976-05-17

Languages:

English

Countries:

USA

Runtime:

133 min

Rated:

G

IMDB Ratings:

7.3 (1507 Reviews)

Director:

Gene Kelly

Cast:

Writer:

Leonard Gershe (narration written by)

Fullplot:

Gene Kelly and Fred Astaire present more golden moments from the MGM film library, this time including comedy and drama as well as classic musical numbers.

The Purple Taxi

The Purple Taxi

Basic Info:

Released Date:

1980-12-01

Languages:

French, English

Countries:

France, Ireland, Italy

Runtime:

107 min

Rated:

R

IMDB Ratings:

6.8 (388 Reviews)

Director:

Yves Boisset

Genres:

Drama

Cast:

Writer:

Anne Dutter (adaptation)

Georges Dutter (French adaptation)

Michel Dèon (novel)

Michel Dèon (screenplay)

Fullplot:

With its mauve taxi, the old philosopher Dr. Seamus Scully runs around the small green roads of the south of Ireland, becoming confident of his patients, while trying to help them find their way.

Ghost Story

Ghost Story

Basic Info:

Released Date:

1981-12-18

Languages:

English

Countries:

USA

Runtime:

110 min

Rated:

R

IMDB Ratings:

6.2 (5151 Reviews)

Director:

John Irvin

Cast:

Writer:

Lawrence D. Cohen

Peter Straub (novel)

Fullplot:

Four successful elderly gentlemen, members of the Chowder Society, share a gruesome, 50-year old secret. When one of Edward Wanderley's twin sons dies in a bizarre accident, the group begins to see a pattern of frightening events developing.

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