The Secret Glamour of the Tin Man Sep 22, 2009
Old Hollywood glamour is Jean Harlow lounging suggestively in a white satin gown or Fred Astaire sweeping Ginger Rogers across a ballroom floor; Rita Hayworth peeling off long black gloves or Greta Garbo staring mysteriously off to sea. It is decidedly not a gingham-clad, jolie laide farm girl and her scrappy little dog. (Slate)
Patrick Swayze: He Had the Looks, and the Moves Sep 16, 2009
Patrick Swayze Dies: Actor Had the Looks, and the Moves - TIME. " Moviegoers found no fault with Swayze when he appeared in his first major role, as Darrel Curtis in Francis Ford Coppola's The Outsiders. For this 1983 adaptation of S.E. Hinton's teen-angst novel, Coppola assembled a bunch of young comers Tom Cruise, Matt Dillon, Emilio Estevez, Diane Lane, Rob Lowe, C. Thomas Howell, Ralph Macchio all of whom soon achieved star status. Swayze, then 30, played the eldest brother and gruff father... (Time.com)
Houston dance instructor shares his Patrick Swayze memories Sep 15, 2009
"My dream growing up was I wanted to be as athletic a dancer as Gene Kelly and as smooth as Fred Astaire, but I wanted the cool of Frank Sinatra," said Swayze in a 1995 interview. Local dance instructor Enrique Ramon knew the Swayze family even before Patrick was born here in Houston in 1952. (KHOU.com, TX)
Fact or fashion Sep 13, 2009
The last great feature films set in the fashion world are decades old: 1957 s Funny Face, starring Audrey Hepburn and Fred Astaire (and featuring a Technicolor palette to rival The Umbrellas of Cherbourg ), and 1966 s trippy satire Who Are You, Polly Magoo ... The last great feature films set in the fashion world are decades old: 1957 s Funny Face, starring Audrey Hepburn and Fred Astaire (and featuring a Technicolor palette to rival The Umbrellas of Cherbourg ), and 1966 s trippy satire Who Are... (New York Post -- Entertainment)
How Americans dealt with the Depression Sep 13, 2009
They were like Ginger Rogers being swept across the dance floor by Fred Astaire, taking one step toward their partner, then two steps away. The dance required both motions. (Boston Globe)
Ten most beautiful stars Sep 9, 2009
She starred in classics such as 'Breakfast at Tiffany's', and starred alongside Humphrey Bogart, Fred Astaire and Carey Grant among others. She was also a tireless humanitarian. (iAfrica.com)
The Best Mad Men Episode Ever? Sep 1, 2009
He and Trudy were a triumph at Jane and Roger's garden party: We saw the perennially awkward ad man in a moment of joy and grace, light-footed and lively, in sync with his wife, looking as dapper and delightful as Fred Astaire. Do you think Pete and Trudy practiced for this moment, scheming to steal the spotlight at the boss's soiree. (Slate)
Kat Edmonson brings fresh face, and voice, to Tanglewood jazz fest Aug 30, 2009
Growing up in Houston, she got acquainted with the American songbook through the old records her mother played on the stereo and the old movies she popped into the VCR: musicals with Fred Astaire, Gene Kelly, Danny Kaye, and Bing Crosby. By the time she was 9, she was writing songs. (Boston Globe)
George Hamilton puts his life out in the open Aug 25, 2009
Next Fred Astaire walks by, "Hello," and I stopped: "Hello, Mr. Astaire" -- God I love that guy -- and I see Cary Grant sitting down. And he said, "You've got a nice suntan. Do you like the sun?" I said "Well, yeah, I love the sun.". (CNN)
Cole Porter song brought to life Aug 19, 2009
COLE PORTER FACTFILE Born Peru, Indiana, US, 1891 Learnt piano from the age of six and composed his first song for his mother, aged 10 Produced musicals at Yale, but gave up law studies and had a Broadway show before moving to Paris during World War I Cole, who was gay, married divorcee Linda Thomas in 1919; they were together for 35 years Porter wrote songs and musicals for Broadway and Hollywood throughout the 1920s, 30s and 40s, including for the likes of Fred Astaire and Gene Kelly. Biopic... (BBC News -- Entertainment)
Oil: A Final Note on Speculation vs. Fundamentals Aug 18, 2009
Mr. Masters seemed to be in favor of banning or limiting speculation, which would be something like banning the musical background in a Fred Astaire or Gene Kelly film. OPEC weighed in on the discussion by claiming that speculation was behind the price rises, although to my way of thinking OPEC's supply policy is perhaps the cornerstone of today's oil market fundamentals. (Energy Pulse, CO)
Illusion of success Aug 14, 2009
People often ask if I was inspired by Houdini, but my idols are people like Orson Welles, Fred Astaire, Gene Kelly, Frank Sinatra; people who told stories with their films or their music. That's what motivated me. (The Age, Australia -- Entertainment)
Big money in sports celebrity insurance Aug 10, 2009
By comparison, dancer Fred Astaire had his legs insured for a paltry US$75,000 per leg, Larry Getlen wrote. I wont go into the more interesting parts that celebrities like Dolly Parton want insured but I would agree that the late flamboyant pianist Liberace, along with French pianist Richard Clayderman and Rolling Stones guitarist Keith Richards had good reasons to insure their hands. (The Star Online, Malaysia)
Indigenous film's world premiere introduces some Bran Nue stars Aug 8, 2009
Bran Nue Dae, Dingo says, originated in the 1960s, ''when a young boy called Jimmy Chi, sitting down at the pictures in the Sun Theatre in Broome, and watching Grace Kelly and Fred Astaire and Elvis Presley and cowboy movies, thought, 'Why can't those parts be written for Aboriginal people. . (The Age, Australia -- Entertainment)
So You Think You Want to Dance? Aug 5, 2009
Notwithstanding Baryshnikov, Gregory Hines or Fred Astaire, its the exceedingly rare dancer who becomes a household name. If youre lucky, you manage to earn a living doing what you most love to doand pray that injuries dont cut your career short. (Slate)
'Burn the Floor' brings ballroom dancing to B'way Aug 3, 2009
And a cursory nod to what appears to be Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers, performed to one of the tunes associated with those movie icons, Irving Berlin's "Let's Face the Music and Dance.". Unlike theater greats such as Bob Fosse, Michael Bennett or Jerome Robbins, Gilkison brings no distinct style to his dance creations. (San Francisco Chronicle -- Entertainment)
Hollywood Destroys the World; New wave of disaster movies, TV shows... Aug 1, 2009
(1959): Written during the chill of the Cold War, Nevil Shute s novel about the aftermath of World War III was adapted for film and starred Gregory Peck, Ava Gardner, and Fred Astaire. Everett Collection. (The Drudge Report)
Making of memoir: Jackson, Jackie and 'Moonwalk' Jul 30, 2009
Along with common statements about fame ("It hurts to be mobbed") and the media ("What happened to truth? Did it go out of style?"), Jackson confided to being physically beaten by his father, to having twice had his nose changed by plastic surgery and to wearing just one glove because "two gloves seemed so ordinary." The book was dedicated to Fred Astaire and included a brief note from Kennedy, who asked, "What can one say about Michael Jackson?". Doubleday printed 300,000 copies for release and... (Missourian Publishing, MO)
Jackson, Jackie and `Moonwalk' Jul 29, 2009
The book was dedicated to Fred Astaire and included a brief note from Kennedy, who asked, What can one say about Michael Jackson. . (CBS News -- Entertainment)
Walking on the Moon Jul 20, 2009
Michael Jackson the dancer : The New Yorker. Michael Jackson in motion. (New Yorker)
Media Watch- The best ever Jul 16, 2009
Later, Rivera compared Jackson to Fred Astaire. He was the greatest star on earth. (Billerica Minuteman, MA)
Jackson -- famous for his fame Jul 12, 2009
The moonwalking Jackson clearly had the natural dancing ability and brilliant creativity of a Fred Astaire or Gene Kelly, but his pelvic thrusting, crotch-holding gyrations lacked the dignity of both earlier icons and often turned repellant. In the end, Jackson will be known mostly as a path-breaking marketing genius. (Fresno Bee -- Opinion)
S.F.'s signature weather, fog great for movies Jul 11, 2009
In real life, fog can be romantic, but romantic uses of fog are the exception - Fred Astaire and Joan Fontaine dancing in "Damsel in Distress" (1938) comes immediately to mind. So do Humphrey Bogart and Ingrid Bergman at the end of "Casablanca.". (San Francisco Chronicle)
Making history Jul 10, 2009
"I remember Ringo, or George's, mum wanted him to work in a bank! "Then I went to Hollywood and I met Fred Astaire and we'd go out for dinner and all everyone wanted to talk about was The Beatles, the Stones, Jean Shrimpton, Twiggy and Mary Quant. "I suddenly realised that these people were being taken seriously. In America they were huge names.". (BBC News -- Entertainment)
Sunday Conversation: Queen Latifah Jul 8, 2009
I would watch musicals a lot as a kid, on TV, watch the Fred Astaire movies. I'd watch "The Wizard of Oz." I was a big Jerry Lewis fan, and they'd have these big bands and someone singing -- some siren, or some guy singing some gorgeous song. (FOX59, IN)
Michael Riedel Jul 5, 2009
June 12, 2009 - I ran into Julie Taymor, the director of "The Lion King," at last week's Fred Astaire Awards. She's hard at work on "Spider-Man: Turn Out the Dark," which appears. (New York Post -- Entertainment)
A guide to the arts outdoors Jul 3, 2009
It s one of those postcard moments we all carry around in our heads: the checkered blanket spread across the grass, the wicker basket, the cheese and fruit and artful salad, the sparkling bottle, and somewhere in the distance an orchestra, or a dance troupe, or a stage set, or Fred Astaire. It s the outdoor arts event and picnic, and in the fleeting paradise that is a New England summer, it s one of our most cherished pleasures. (Boston Globe)
Celebrities Bid Farewell to Michael Jun 28, 2009
Kobe Bryant - Michael Jackson 1958 - 2009 - TIME. Jason Merritt / Getty. (Time.com)
Locals stunned, saddened by Michael Jackson's death at 50 (1350) Jun 27, 2009
Cogito wrote on Jun 26, 2009 8:49 AM:" I think Michael Jackson was easily the greatest performer of my generation, and maybe of all time. Fred Astaire called him the greatest dancer he'd ever seen. I also believe that Jackson was a homosexual pedophile. But, if you were dropping your kids off at Michael's for an unsupervised sleepover, you were either an idiot, or you were pimping your kids for a potential lawsuit. Not good parenting. ". weezer wrote on Jun 26, 2009 8:37 AM:" He's still a human... (Lodi News Sentinel, CA)
QUINCY JONES: 'Part of my soul has gone with him'... Jun 26, 2009
He told Entertainment Weekly: 'Just as there will never be another Fred Astaire or Chuck Berry or Elvis Presley, there will never be anyone comparable to Michael Jackson. His talent, his wonderment and his mystery make him legend. (The Drudge Report)
Michael Jackson Honored By Justin Timberlake, Will.I.Am, Diddy Jun 26, 2009
" "Just as there will never be another Fred Astaire or Chuck Berry or Elvis Presley, there will never be anyone comparable to Michael Jackson," Spielberg told "His talent, his wonderment and his mystery make him legend. " Share your Michael Jackson memories by uploading video and comments to or joining the discussion below. This report is provided by Services: Popular Links: theFABlife: VH1Classic.com: 00000000. (VHI.com -- Music News)
Archive: Michael in the mirror Jun 26, 2009
"Frank Sinatra lived right above us. He'd see us playing basketball every day. And Fred Astaire lived around the bend. I would have a chance to talk to them and learn and listen. Those were golden moments. When I was 16, we were doing Las Vegas every night, and Elvis (Presley) and Sammy Davis Jr. would sit me and my brothers in a row and lecture us. 'Don't ever do drugs,' they told us. I never forgot it.". Reminded of his own painkiller habit, Jackson goes quiet. (USA Today -- Life)
Mick LaSalle answers your questions Jun 21, 2009
I said, "If I want to listen to a big-band vocalist, I'd rather listen to Helen Forrest, and if I want to hear the great American songbook, I'd rather listen to Fred Astaire." It's just a matter of taste. Sinatra's Tommy Dorsey recordings sound stock and sentimental to me. (San Francisco Chronicle -- Entertainment)
'Whatever Works': Grumposaurus Rex, By Kurt Loder Jun 20, 2009
In the days that follow, he berates her nonstop for her stupidity and her pathetic taste in music (she's never h 00002AC6 eard of Beethoven) and movies (or Fred Astaire). Nevertheless, within days, Melodie falls in love with her irascible benefactor, and before you know it, they've gotten married. (VHI.com -- Music News)
Bravo For Billys! Jun 6, 2009
In the last few weeks, they were feted at a Drama League luncheon, performed at the Fred Astaire Awards and accepted a Theatre World Award. Tomorrow, they're up for the biggest honor Broadway can bestow -- the Tony for Best Actor in a Musical. (New York Post -- Entertainment)
Queen of the comebacks Jun 6, 2009
When your mother is Dorothy from The Wizard Of Oz, and your father is a famous director (An American In Paris, Gigi), your life's cast is peppered with family friends who read like a credit list: Ira Gershwin (her godfather), Nat King Cole, Frank Sinatra, Noel Coward, Humphrey Bogart and Fred Astaire. "They were the neighbours," she says, waving away raised eyebrows. (Sydney Morning Herald -- Entertainment)
SINGIN' IN THE RAIN May 24, 2009
SINGIN' IN THE RAIN - New York Post. Sunday, May 24, 2009 Last Update: 06:55 AM EDT. (New York Post -- Opinions)
Newsweek: Why the dance movie endures May 23, 2009
Ever since the heyday of Fred Astaire, dance movies have captivated audiences around the world ... Like Coke, its basic formula has barely changed since the days of Fred Astaire. (MSNBC -- News)
Newsweek: The best dance films ever made May 23, 2009
Click through to view the 14 most captivating dance movies ever madefrom the golden olden days of Fred Astaire to the breathtaking street stunts in Stomp the Yard. We still love 'em, no matter what the Wayanses say. (MSNBC -- News)
Movie series to feature beer, Flash Gordon’ serial May 20, 2009
The movie stars Fred Astaire, Jane Powell and Peter Lawford. Aug. 21 Over the Hedge. (Albany Democrat-Herald, OR)
Roxie Cinema hosts B film noir festival May 16, 2009
They're saying something about life, and what they're saying has nothing to do with Fred Astaire dancing on the ceiling. The naive characters that populate other films from this period may show up in these films, too, but in B noir, they don't carry the movie's message. (San Francisco Chronicle -- Entertainment)
David Copperfield May 8, 2009
DE: Following up on the previous question, I ve read that you were more influenced by performers like Fred Astaire and filmmakers like Stephen Spielberg than by the great magicians. Is that true. (Desert Entertainer, CA)
More of this story May 7, 2009
The two share one of the best moments in the show when their dream comes alive in a Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers Dance sequence that captures the style and movement perfectly. Curtains has so many more unforgettable characters in its line-up of suspects. (West Memphis Germantown News, TN)
1939, the Greatest Year Ever For Mo... May 7, 2009
Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers graced (literally) the screen together for the final time with RKO pictures in the biographic pic Story of Vernon and Irene Castle. The Roaring Twenties - Bogey and Cagney together. (Suite101.com)
Roger McGuinn: Rock and Roll Hall of Famer the 'Forrest Gump of music'? May 7, 2009
He can still see a pumped David Crosby twirling around a lamp post "like Fred Astaire.". They also got some black suits with velvet collars just like their heroes the Beatles. (Dowagiac News, MI)
Utah arts look to communitys support to stay afloat Apr 29, 2009
During the Depression, a thing that did extremely well was MGM musicals, the ones with Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers, Dietlein said. I remember my mother telling me that they would have their dime and go to the movie, even if they didnt have a dime to spend, because they needed that relief. (The Daily Universe, UT)
Talent trumps a vulgar mouth Apr 18, 2009
Every one of them is as debonair as Fred Astaire. We had Jamie Foxx, comedian and actor ( Booty Call, Ray, The Truth about Cats and Dogs - a varied oeuvre) doing an absolute slag on the 16-year-old Miley Cyrus. (Globe and Mail -- Business)
Forever in Blue Jeans Apr 17, 2009
For men, sartorial good taste can be reduced to one rule: If Fred Astaire would not have worn it, don't wear it. For women, substitute Grace Kelly. (Townhall.com)
Green dusts off dancing shoes for return to ring Apr 12, 2009
A YEAR to the day former world champion Danny Green had an Easter Sunday "epiphany" to retire while his health was sound and his marbles were still intact, it appears there'll be more Fred Astaire than Rocky Marciano in his armoury when he returns to the ring on April 26. Green fights South African light-heavyweight champion Anthony van Niekerk at Perth's Challenge Stadium, and included in his warm-up sessions at Vic Darchinyan's gym in Marrickville this week was his version of the Melbourne... (Sydney Morning Herald -- Sport)
This Lady Isn't Close To Fair Apr 6, 2009
While her husband lies near death in the hospital, Claire is befriended by the imaginary "Fred" (Brian Sutherland) -- his full name, and this is a prime example of the show's sophomoric humor, is "Fred Astaire Gregory Peck Humphrey Bogart Gary Cooper George Peppard" -- who guides her through a whirlwind m. lange of scenes and musical numbers inspired by such Hepburn classics as "Roman Holiday," "Sabrina," "Funny Face," "Love in the Afternoon" and "Breakfast at Tiffany's." (For those unfamiliar... (New York Post -- Entertainment)
Enthusiastic Steve Wozniak defies logic of 'Dancing' Mar 30, 2009
By Gary Strauss, USA TODAY No one watching ABC's Dancing With the Stars (Monday, 8 ET/PT) is likely to confuse Steve Wozniak with Fred Astaire. Wozniak's ungainly moves have earned him some of the lowest scores from the judges in the show's eight seasons. (USA Today)
Movie Musicals of Fred and Ginger Mar 19, 2009
Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers last danced together over half a century ago, but they remain perhaps the most iconic dancing partners ... Traveling with his friend, dance band leader, Huck Haines (Fred Astaire), they arrive to meet Stephanie (Irene Dunne), the assistant and secret head designer for Minnie s fashion house, Roberta. (Suite101.com)
Idols in Top 10 fight Mar 2, 2009
Nineteen-year-old Mathew Moolman from Cape Town decided to swing with the old standard, 'A Foggy Day (in London Town)', which was originally sung by Fred Astaire, but recently updated by Michael Bubl. Dave doesn't like old-fashioned songs in an Idols competition, but said Mathew's performance was so good that he couldn't complain. (iAfrica.com)
AP's Bob Thomas takes in the Oscars for 64th time Feb 24, 2009
When he went into a Fred Astaire number, "Top Hat, White Tie and Tails," he captured the audience. Singing and hoofing with four dozen other top-hatted dancers he was breathtaking. (Hanford Sentinal, CA)
THE TECH CHRONICLES A daily dose of postings from The Chronicle's... Feb 24, 2009
"It doesn't take a genius to figure out Woz isn't exactly Fred Astaire," wrote someone identified as Al Luckow. "All I know is that he's not just dancing for himself, he's dancing for all of us. Especially if you've ever been told you can't do something based on the way you look, well, you know what I mean.". (San Francisco Chronicle -- Technology)
Americans still reach for small luxuries Feb 24, 2009
Little surprise that during the Depression, folks who literally couldn't spare a dime would scrape together pennies to gather in darkened movie palaces and escape into the luxurious worlds of Busby Berkeley and Fred Astaire. "It's a basic human trait to have indulgences in one's life, things that reinforce your identity and keep you moving forward," says Eric Almquist, head of global consumer insights at Boston-based consulting firm Bain & Company, which recently produced a study called The... (USA Today -- Life)
Americans give Hugh's Oscars performance a tick Feb 24, 2009
"You'd think someone somewhere in the production process would have said, 'That's not entertaining. That's gross'. "It pretty much killed any chance Jackman could summon the classy ghost of Fred Astaire, which made it ironic that his midshow number, an all-hands-on-deck Busby Berkeley blowout, was built on Astaire's Top Hat. " Other critics applauded Jackman. "He sang, he danced, he sat on Frank Langella's lap and he also presented the 81st annual Academy Awards," New York Times' Alessandra... (The Age, Australia -- Entertainment)
'Souvenir' star says it feels good to sing badly Feb 13, 2009
Or how about Fred Astaire and Jane Powell slipping around on the boat in "Royal Wedding:" We know they can really, really, really dance. Images. (San Francisco Chronicle)
