In 1943, Robert Ryan made two WWII movies that could (and should) have secured his career as a good guy. Unfortunately, he made Crossroads in 1947 and sealed his fate as a villain. But if you want to see him in his youthful, soldier heartthrob days, check out Tender Comrade and The Sky's the Limit.
I never understand why Fred Astaire got typecast as an annoying suitor. He's such a doll! If he gave me a corny pick-up line or two, I wouldn't give him the cold shoulder. And yet, in countless roles, he's given the brush-off by his leading ladies, forcing him to be more and more persistent until she finally thaws. In this movie, he's a soldier on leave who pretends to be a civilian so he can woo newspaper reporter Joan Leslie without her wanting to write about him. In the supporting cast, you'll be able to spot Robert Benchley, Elizabeth Patterson, and a stock Fred sidekick, Eric Blore.
The highlight of this movie (and the reason why it's on many people's must-see lists) is the fantastic and famous torch song "One for My Baby (And One More for the Road)" before dancing drunk on top of the bar. It's such a great number; I never get tired of watching it. Fred never tired of it, either. He's famous for saying it was his favorite song that was specifically written for him. The lyrics are clever, the melody perfect for the time period, and his risk-taking dance skills reached a new height: dancing on a slippery bar with broken glass all around him. If you like the dangerous side of Fred, check him out in Holiday Inn, where he dances with fireworks exploding at his ankles.
I never understand why Fred Astaire got typecast as an annoying suitor. He's such a doll! If he gave me a corny pick-up line or two, I wouldn't give him the cold shoulder. And yet, in countless roles, he's given the brush-off by his leading ladies, forcing him to be more and more persistent until she finally thaws. In this movie, he's a soldier on leave who pretends to be a civilian so he can woo newspaper reporter Joan Leslie without her wanting to write about him. In the supporting cast, you'll be able to spot Robert Benchley, Elizabeth Patterson, and a stock Fred sidekick, Eric Blore.
The highlight of this movie (and the reason why it's on many people's must-see lists) is the fantastic and famous torch song "One for My Baby (And One More for the Road)" before dancing drunk on top of the bar. It's such a great number; I never get tired of watching it. Fred never tired of it, either. He's famous for saying it was his favorite song that was specifically written for him. The lyrics are clever, the melody perfect for the time period, and his risk-taking dance skills reached a new height: dancing on a slippery bar with broken glass all around him. If you like the dangerous side of Fred, check him out in Holiday Inn, where he dances with fireworks exploding at his ankles.