Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers made 10 films together, and this one from 1938 is probably one of the least well known. There’s less dancing in this one than in some of the others (only four numbers), but the film itself is still highly enjoyable, being something of a screwball comedy.
Astaire plays psychiatrist Tony Flagg. His friend Stephen (Ralph Bellamy) is worried because Ralph’s finance, radio singer Amanda Cooper (Rogers) keeps calling off their wedding. He asks Tony to treat Amanda, to overcome her reluctance to marry. However, some of Tony’s methods have unexpected side-effects – and then Tony starts to fall for Amanda himself.
This is a very enjoyable and very funny film. Ginger Rogers was best known for her amazing dancing, but she really had a flair for comedy too. She shines in the role of Amanda Cooper, and also looks beautiful. Astaire is also fine as Tony, but of course with Astaire the real magic is in watching him dance. I’ve always been more of a Gene Kelly fan, but there’s no denying that Astaire could dance beautifully. The golf tap dance – shown in the clip above – was a joy to watch, and when he and Rogers dance together, its just glorious. Luella Gear is also brilliant as Amanda’s Aunt Cora.
The ending is entirely expected, but still nice to see. This is just a nice, light-hearted film that doesn’t take itself too seriously, with a few lovely dance sequences. Well worth a watch.
Year of release: 1938
Director: Mark Sandrich
Writers: Allan Scott, Ernest Pagano, Dudley Nichols, Hagar Wilde, Marian Ainslee, Guy Endore
Main cast: Fred Astaire, Ginger Rogers, Luella Gear, Ralph Bellamy, Clarence Kolb
Between the Pages 
I absolutely love Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers!