Truly out of the ordinary, this Chrysler Theatre episode presents no less than a romantic musical comedy original (TV series pilot) starring Fred Astaire, made in 1964. It boasts a fine pedigree: directed by Jack Arnold, written by Garr Marshall and Jerry Belson, with choreography by Hermes Pan, and a title song ballad sung by Fred.
Astaire is incredibly empathetic as the head of a small record company, desperate to save his shop by landing the contract for recording an album by top comedian played by Louis Nye. The impediment is tough as nails manager Barrie Chase, who has zero interest in letting her boy sign with Fred -she's even working on stealing another of his acts away from his company.
The light humor is handled effortlessly by Astaire, and Nye also scores with his delivery of clever one-liners. Many highlights here including a supposedly impromptu (but elaborately choreographed) routine of Fred and Barrie dancing satirical dances steps from the '60s, mocking The Frug, Locomotion and other amusing contortions we all tried at the time. More poignant is when Barrie finally becomes human and does a terrific balletic solo, joined by Fred for ballroom terping. This wonderfully light, escapist hour is corny but still fresh 30 years on.
Astaire is incredibly empathetic as the head of a small record company, desperate to save his shop by landing the contract for recording an album by top comedian played by Louis Nye. The impediment is tough as nails manager Barrie Chase, who has zero interest in letting her boy sign with Fred -she's even working on stealing another of his acts away from his company.
The light humor is handled effortlessly by Astaire, and Nye also scores with his delivery of clever one-liners. Many highlights here including a supposedly impromptu (but elaborately choreographed) routine of Fred and Barrie dancing satirical dances steps from the '60s, mocking The Frug, Locomotion and other amusing contortions we all tried at the time. More poignant is when Barrie finally becomes human and does a terrific balletic solo, joined by Fred for ballroom terping. This wonderfully light, escapist hour is corny but still fresh 30 years on.
