DVD's
Fred Astaire, the debonair man who brought dancing magic to movie screens across the country was a dancer whose easy elegance and intricate rhythms inspired many young dancers, including Bob Fosse. Yes, Fosse, that hip, dance, theatrical dance genius who has influenced Broadway dancing since he choreographed that still-hard-to-surpass "Steam Heat" number for the 1954 Broadway musical, "Pajama Game." Thanks to the new era of DVD's, you don’t have to scour the television pages to look for an Astaire film, only to discover that it's playing at three in the morning. And if you want to see Fosse’s choreography danced as he envisioned, that’s possible as well. This month's DVD's are a start.
Top of This Month's list: "The Barkleys of Broadway" 1949/109 minutes
After ten years apart, Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers dance together for the last time in this film. They are both noticeably older and look a little odd in Technicolor as though their previous black and white selves had been dipped into a bucket of color. But, as always, they create joy with each step. Astaire's innovative dancing shoes number is only one of the extraordinary dance sequences. And watching the two stars float through They Can’t Take That Away From Me is an unforgettable lesson in romance. Special feature: Commentary on the Fred Astaire/ Ginger Rogers reunion.
A Must-Own: "Fosse" A Dance in America Production 2002/127 minutes
It's almost impossible to sit still and watch these amazing Broadway dancers unlock the mysteries of Fosse's unique choreography. From the first moment, you’ll want to jump up and join the pulsating rhythms as one superb number after another rolls across the screen. Fosse's work mesmerizes with its easy panache, its rhythmic subtleties, its quick isolations, and the clear, sharp details that add up to the way he wanted his dancers to perform. Includes highlights from "Chicago," "Sweet Charity," "Cabaret" and other shows. The intermission conversations with Ann Reinking and Ben Vereen attempt to demystify Bob Fosse, but, conversely, add to his mystique.
Dance Collection: "Swing Time" 1936/104 minutes
Choose John Mueller's voice-over commentary from the menu as you watch this DVD, often considered the best of the Astaire/Rogers movies. His insights and behind-the-scenes knowledge add to the historic importance of the Astaire/Rogers impact on the culture during the years of the Depression. The plot, of course, is silly, but the underlying story of finding the right romantic partner still fuels many of today's films, and you rarely see gowns as glamorous as those Rogers wears as she twirls in Astaire's arms. Though You Were Never Lovelier won that year's Oscar for best song, composer Jerome Kern’s idea of swing was eons removed from the jazz rhythms that had already filtered into popular music.