There’s nothing like an Astaire/Rogers musical to lift the spirits of any doldrum day. With Fred’s easy charm and Ginger’s sassy sex appeal it’s no wonder the public was not quite ready for The Story of Vernon and Irene Castle to be their final turn around the dance floor.

The story is exactly as the title suggests, about a turn of the century dancing act that struggled to find an audience until finally taking the world by storm. Originally, this musical bio-pic was designed to be the ninth and last onscreen pairing of Hollywood’s best known dancing duo (demand brought the couple back together ten years later for The Barkleys’ of Broadway). And what better way to cap off a beloved partnership than by portraying another famous (and at the time still remembered) dance team, The Castles?

By no means is this the best Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers film, but The Story of Vernon and Irene Castle is a sweet story of two reknowned artists who are deemed responsible for the popularity of ballroom dancing, and indeed, the later success of Astaire and Rogers. It’s fun to watch the dynamic team so well known to film audiences reproduce the steps that made their overshadowed predecessors famous. Indeed, there is nothing short of pride and joy in their glowing faces as Astaire and Rogers effortlessly trip the light fantastic in what must have been their most personal film performances.

Watching the pair give such a touching and loving tribute to the talents of their forgotten mentors makes you wish that someone, somewhere, could have done the same for them. But, of course, that is impossible. For Astaire and Rogers were a unique combination of artistry and personal charm that simply cannot be duplicated. Fortunately, for the classic movie fan, even their less than spectacular efforts are still a hell of a lot of fun to watch. Because, if it’s got Astaire and Rogers, then the film has a whole lot going for it, even if it’s not their very best its still one of the best films from a great year in Hollywood history.

(click on names for IMDB.com listings)