Top 10 Fred Astaire & Ginger Rogers Dance Scenes
#10: “They Can't Take That Away From Me” “The Barkleys of Broadway” (1949)
Believe it or not, this wasn’t the first time that Fred serenaded Ginger with this Gershwin classic. Originally appearing in the 1937 film “Shall We Dance,” the number gained immense popularity and was even nominated for an Academy Award. Reportedly, it was Ginger who suggested that they reprise it, and boy are we glad that she did. They perform a seamlessly elegant and stylish ballroom number. It’s even more poignant given that this was their final feature film together. Their dance is beautiful but their connection is mesmerizing too. It’s a reminder of why we love watching them and serves as the perfect summation of their partnership.
#9: “Night and Day” “The Gay Divorcee” (1934)
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In the second of their movies, Ginger plays Mimi, a woman looking to divorce her husband. In a plan gone wrong, she finds herself struggling to withstand the charms of dancer Guy Holden, played by Astaire. In this number, she tries to resist his pursuit but of course, their chemistry is just too strong. As she falls into his arms, we’re treated to a stunning dance that’s full of panache and totally draws us into their love story. It combines their ballroom and tap talent, as well as their impressive ability to tell a story through choreography. You can’t help but get caught up in the moment.
#8: “Waltz in Swing Time” “Swing Time” (1936)
Composed by the film’s orchestrator, Robert Russell Bennett, this number puts a swinging spin on the traditional waltz. With a syncopated rhythm, intricate choreography, and tap overlays, this is one of their most complex dance numbers of all time. It’s a nostalgic and whimsical celebration of love. And we all know just how skilled these two are at relaying that through their performances. One critic even called it “the finest piece of pure dance music ever written for Astaire.” “Swing Time” has often been hailed as one of the duo’s best musical movies and with dances like this, you’ll hear no argument from us.
#7: “The Piccolino” “Top Hat” (1935)
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This is the movie’s big showstopper and one that earned choreographer Hermes Pan an Oscar nomination. After an incredibly impressive ensemble start, we close in on our dancing duo. They perform variations of “The Piccolino,” a step where the foot shoots out to the side. Combined with plenty of other high-energy and precise choreography, this “Top Hat” scene is pure magic. Apparently, it was all shot in one take which is a testament to the pair’s talent and stamina. It’s no surprise that they reprise “The Piccolino” at the end. It’s so sophisticated and stylized and just the perfect ending to this fan-favorite movie.
#6: “I'll Be Hard to Handle” “Roberta” (1935)
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What we love about this performance is that you can totally see the genuine rapport shared by Rogers and Astaire. As we’ve seen, no one lets their feet do the talking quite as well as these two. But on this occasion, you can also hear them giggling and whispering and clearly just having the absolute best time. Listen closely and you can even hear Fred humming along with the music. The authenticity of their relationship makes them a pleasure to watch. The choreography is as outstanding as ever. But it’s their joyfulness and playfulness that really elevates the number. We could watch them all day.
#5: “Isn't This a Lovely Day?” “Top Hat” (1935)
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Now on their fourth movie together, Fred and Ginger had become a well-oiled machine. Their synchronization was impeccable and they clearly challenged each other creatively too. As Rogers’ shared in her autobiography, she and Fred were even given some creative input into the number. We’re so used to seeing them in ball gowns and tuxedos, emulating the very definition of elegance and class. So, it was nice to see another side of the pair that’s a bit more light-hearted and casual. It’s definitely one of their more charmingly amusing numbers. If you’re feeling down, this dance is sure to chase those gray skies away.
#4: “Never Gonna Dance” “Swing Time” (1936)
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After failing to woo her with his song, Lucky lets his moves do the talking instead. Together they put on a performance that’s so dignified and exquisite that we could just melt. Their chemistry is off the scale as well. Apparently, they shot this number 47 times over 18 grueling hours in just one day. It got to a point where Ginger’s shoes were filled with blood but she insisted on powering through just to get it done. Nevertheless, it’s a stunning number that just epitomizes pure Golden Age Hollywood perfection. Knowing just how strenuous filming this scene was only made us appreciate it more.
#3: “Let's Call The Whole Thing Off” “Shall We Dance” (1937)
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Just as you thought that they couldn’t be any more impressive, this dance rolled around… quite literally. Their talent on the dance floor remains unrivaled. But for this occasion, they exchanged their ballroom shoes for a pair of skates. The ease with which they glide around the skate park is unbelievable. And who else could tap dance with wheels on their feet? The sheer athleticism needed to achieve a performance of this magnitude is just so impressive. Even though it’s a twist on classic Fred and Ginger, it’s still full of the gracefulness and allure that we love. Even their fall at the end is flawless.
#2: “Bouncin’ The Blues” “The Barkleys of Broadway” (1949)
It had been ten years since these dancers last performed together and now they were back to remind the world of what they’d been missing. Interestingly, while Astaire continued on his musical streak, for Ginger this was a long-awaited return to the genre. Yet, watching them dance together it’s almost as if no time had passed at all. It’s really a credit to just how well they complement each other, especially given the complexity and energy of this dance. It also reminded us of just how joyous and lively their performances could be. The fact that it was in Technicolor was only an added bonus. Before we unveil our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions. “I'm Putting All My Eggs in One Basket,” “Follow the Fleet” (1936) No One Knew How to Insert Comedy into Dance Quite like Fred & Ginger “Smoke Gets in Your Eyes,” “Roberta” (1935) The Dynamic Duo Danced to This Song’s Reprise “Carioca,” “Flying Down to Rio” (1933) This Dance Made the World Really Sit Up & Take Notice of the Soon-to-be Iconic Partnership “The Last Waltz,” “The Story of Vernon and Irene Castle” (1939) It Takes a Pair of Dance Legends to Play a Pair of Dance Legends “The Continental,” “The Gay Divorcee” (1934) A 17 Minute Long Dance Sequence That’s Totally Worth Your Time
#1: “Cheek to Cheek” “Top Hat” (1935)
Of course, the dance most synonymous with this partnership takes our top spot. This really is Golden Age Hollywood at its very best. In this scene, the lovebirds steal away for a dance break that exemplifies everything we love about them. They make even the most arduous steps look effortless and their on-screen chemistry is more magical than ever. The combination of their outfits, the scenery, and of course the dance have made this a timeless classic. And their special spark will continue to be appreciated by generations to come. What can we say? When we watch them dance we’re in heaven.
