Synopsis
In 1911, minor stage comic, Vernon Castle meets the stage-struck Irene Foote. A few misadventures later, they marry and then abandon comedy to attempt a dancing career together. While they're performing in Paris, an agent sees them rehearse and starts them on their brilliant career as the world's foremost ballroom dancers. However, at the height of their fame, World War I begins.
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Cast
- Fred AstaireVernon Castle
- Ginger RogersIrene Castle
- Edna May OliverMaggie Sutton
- Walter BrennanWalter
- Lew FieldsLew Fields
- Etienne GirardotPapa Aubel
- Janet BeecherMrs. Foote
- Rolfe SedanEmile Aubel
- Leonid KinskeyArtist
- Robert StrangeDr. Foote
Recommendations
- 90
The New York Times
A beautifully told story, with sincere and vigorous performances, and with a solid and richly atmospheric production to lend its interest and fascination. - 90
Variety
Top-flight cinematic entertainment. - 70
Time Out
Ably welding dance numbers and plot, courtesy of light comedy director Potter, it overcomes its lack of '30s snap and crackle with lavish doses of elegance and charm to a tango or foxtrot rhythm. - 70
The Observer (UK)
Astaire and Rogers in their last pre-war monochrome musical, a touching cinebiography of the celebrated American dancers of the pre-First World War era whose partnership ended with his death as a pilot in the war. The dance routines are more numerous, though less spectacular, than in the previous movies. [04 Jan 2004, p.8] - 63
Chicago Tribune
Musical bio of the early 20th Century dance team; their weakest. [03 Nov 2006, p.C5] - 60
The New Yorker
The re-creations of the Castles' dances are painstakingly authentic, and most of them are fun to watch, but the movie is cursed with the dullness of big bios--especially those produced when some of the key figures are alive. - 38
LarsenOnFilm
If joy and liberation bursts from the best Astaire-Rogers films, The Story of Vernon and Irene Castle is defined by restriction.
