The Gay Divorcee

Rating:
Summary: Beautiful and funny on many levels
Review: Calling the plot of Gay Divorcee "silly" or "needless" reflects the pedantry of the editorial reviewers, who apparently would rather see Astaire and Rogers in tights and tutu. The plot, in my opinion, is clever and funny. Of course, mistaken identity is an old device, but the measure is how well the characters bring it off, and there are six - six! - characters in Gay Divorcee who do this splendidly. How can we ever forget the immortal line, "Your wife is safe with Tonetti, he prefers spaghetti!" and all the permutations of "Chance is the fools name for fate." Or was it "Chances are fate is foolish"?

Anyway, Nureyev said that Fred Astaire was the greatest dancer in the world, and I think Rogers was his best partner. Gay Divorcee's wonderful art nouveau fantasy set, combined with exquisite costuming - even the ridiculous Tonetti is beautifully attired - and the memorable music, provide a perfect framework for the ballets. And the bright, funny dialogue and perfectly cast characters fill in the intervals.

Perhaps the world created by Astaire and Rogers is a fantasy world, but it's plausable enough for me to believe that somehow it would be possible to dress, to act and, yes, to dance in it myself.

Rating:
Summary: My favourite Astaire and Rogers film
Review: Fred Astaire plays a dnacer returning to England from a trip abroad. In the Customs shed he meets Ginger Rogers in an embarassing predicament. He tries to find out who she is, but she refuses to tell him, and he spends ages searching London for her until he finally tracks her down and begins to awaken her interest. Ginger goes down to Brighton with her friend dithery much-married Alice Brady, and Astaire and his dithery lawyer friend Edward Everett Horton go in pursuit. Ginger has gone to Brighton to try and obtain a divorce, she intends to spend the night with a professional co-respondent. Somthing Astaire says makes her think he is the co-respondent, which puts her right off him. Fortunately the real co-respondent, a diminutive Italian, turns up ("your wife is safe with Tonetti,he prefer spaghetti") and the mystery is sorted out. But what will happen when Ginger's husband arrives the next morning? will she get her divorce. This is a wonderful film, with a silly but extremley funny plot, and some wonderful dialogue, particularly between Horton and Brady, who somehow manage to end up married to each other, much to their surprise. An absolutely delightful film.

Rating:
Summary: A 'Continental' Appeal!
Review: The Gay Divorcee is one of my favorite films. Fred plays a persistant bachelor determined to capture the heart of Mimi (Ginger), who is married and ready for a divorce. As the plot unfolds, this romantic comedy is hilarious and can make anyone smile. Fred and Ginger shine as they perform the hauntinly beautiful 'Night and Day' and the seventeen minute 'Continental'. A must see for any Astaire Rogers fan!

Rating:
Summary: GAY ALL THE WAY!
Review: The Gay Divorcee, starring Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers, is still as funny and charming today as when it was first released. Just watch the two of them dance to "Night and Day"-- beautiful chemistry! All the dance numbers are great, but "The Continental" number went on a bit too long for me (although admittedly it was written for this movie, so it is understandable that an elaborate production was made out of it.) The loverboy who keeps forgetting his lines ('chance is a fool's name for fate' and the many variations that he came up with) had me in stitches too. To sum it up, this movie is great for the whole family and you won't be disappointed!