This is so beautiful! I'm almost in tears because of it. When Fred lifts Ginger up at 1:47 my breath is taken away by the beauty of that lift. Thank you so much for posting this.
@prudence999 I agree with Balanchine. If you are trained, you automatically become somewhat limited in the way you think about dance. Ginger dancing was completely untouched by classroom rules of dance. The situation is much like that of a young child still brimming with curiosity and creativity. They are open to so many things. I think that applies here.
I'm not sure what makes the difference -- perhaps that beautiful dress with the flowing lines and Fred's uniform just as much as the dancing -- but I find this one of the most beautiful dance routines this pair ever did. They were always good; for me this one is great.
then do some reading on how to format and upload.. had these clips on a hard drive that crashed .. lots of work wasted..give me a few days. They do a thousand of those trademark pivot spins that Astaire loved to perform himself. Surprised this is not uploaded.
The only one of Fred and Ginger's dances that caught on to become a craze, was "The Continental" from the "Gay Divorcee". They consciously tried again in "Carefree" with "The Yam", but it never caught on. However, they did mightily contribute to a behavior, both in the USA and in England, that has been described by Anette Kuhn, in her book "Dreaming of Fred and Ginger", as "emulation". Emulation was not a specific dance, but was their film contribution to the pre-existing dance culture.
I'd like to see the Castles dancing...Is the clip on u-tube? You know that Irene Castle didn't want Ginger to play her part...I'm only guessing...but she probably thought she was too sensual. She was finally talked into it, through diversionary tactics.....and I've never heard that she objected to the result.
Yes, that is an exquisitely beautiful and romantic move. In fact, the whole dance is exquisite.
"The Story of Vernon and Irene Castle" differs from Fred and Ginger's other films in that it isn't a series of dance numbers strung together by a light and airy plot, but a dramatic film with some dancing. It's also the only film in which Fred's character dies, so it is terribly sad. But well worth the tears, in my opinion.
This is just the loveliest of dances. I adore how Fred picks Ginger up from behind and spins her around as she lays her head back on his shoulder. It just doesn't get more romantic than that!
Did you notice that during that part the lighting changes to an overhead spotlight? A perfect choice, because it highlighted that moment, which took my breath away. Nobody compares to these two.
I haven't seen the movie yet but I just read the biography of the real Vernon and Irene Castle on Wikipedia and that makes this scene all the more sad! Now I know why it's called last dance. :(
Actually, he dies in another, On The Beaches. It's a v. upseting movie. It was his first straight acting role (1959)... I would watch it if you have the chance. Ada Gardener and Gregory Peck are in it.
Yes. I've seen both now. The Castles and On The Beach. I found On The Beach to be a surprisingly great movie. It's not very critically acclaimed. I think I might read the book too. OMG! Can you believe that Fred was in MELBOURNE!? Sorry, it's just, that's where I live...
This is so beautiful! I'm almost in tears because of it. When Fred lifts Ginger up at 1:47 my breath is taken away by the beauty of that lift. Thank you so much for posting this.
JAfan3993 5 months ago
Gorgeous!
jodyoberfelder 11 months ago
@prudence999 I agree with Balanchine. If you are trained, you automatically become somewhat limited in the way you think about dance. Ginger dancing was completely untouched by classroom rules of dance. The situation is much like that of a young child still brimming with curiosity and creativity. They are open to so many things. I think that applies here.
beeje 2 years ago 2
I agree, I think it's lovely and romantic. I could watch it over and over again.
bedazzled621 2 years ago 2
I'm not sure what makes the difference -- perhaps that beautiful dress with the flowing lines and Fred's uniform just as much as the dancing -- but I find this one of the most beautiful dance routines this pair ever did. They were always good; for me this one is great.
jd03150 2 years ago 4
Re: Castles.."Whirl of Life"
let me find it in my dvd's..
then do some reading on how to format and upload.. had these clips on a hard drive that crashed .. lots of work wasted..give me a few days. They do a thousand of those trademark pivot spins that Astaire loved to perform himself. Surprised this is not uploaded.
carolerory 3 years ago
I contacted bejee..and she's intersted in helping, if you need her.
followthefleet 3 years ago
I have the clip on a dancing video that I purchased. It's about 3 minutes long called
"The Whirl of Life" circa 1915-1916. Only known
film of the Castles. I've never loaded anything up
to uTube so what the steps involved be?
carolerory 3 years ago
well we all know the contributions of Vernon and Irene Castle, and those of Fred and Ginger.
Both teams, more so the Castles, popularized dance in the US. The Castles were "big" during
the ragtime era. There is a clip called "The Whirl of Life" around which shows the Castles actually dancing.
carolerory 3 years ago
The only one of Fred and Ginger's dances that caught on to become a craze, was "The Continental" from the "Gay Divorcee". They consciously tried again in "Carefree" with "The Yam", but it never caught on. However, they did mightily contribute to a behavior, both in the USA and in England, that has been described by Anette Kuhn, in her book "Dreaming of Fred and Ginger", as "emulation". Emulation was not a specific dance, but was their film contribution to the pre-existing dance culture.
followthefleet 3 years ago
I'd like to see the Castles dancing...Is the clip on u-tube? You know that Irene Castle didn't want Ginger to play her part...I'm only guessing...but she probably thought she was too sensual. She was finally talked into it, through diversionary tactics.....and I've never heard that she objected to the result.
followthefleet 3 years ago
This is my favourite scene in the movie. :( So sad...
mithol 4 years ago
Yes, that is an exquisitely beautiful and romantic move. In fact, the whole dance is exquisite.
"The Story of Vernon and Irene Castle" differs from Fred and Ginger's other films in that it isn't a series of dance numbers strung together by a light and airy plot, but a dramatic film with some dancing. It's also the only film in which Fred's character dies, so it is terribly sad. But well worth the tears, in my opinion.
sunnitimes4 4 years ago
This is just the loveliest of dances. I adore how Fred picks Ginger up from behind and spins her around as she lays her head back on his shoulder. It just doesn't get more romantic than that!
samgracesmom 4 years ago
Did you notice that during that part the lighting changes to an overhead spotlight? A perfect choice, because it highlighted that moment, which took my breath away. Nobody compares to these two.
hebe21 4 years ago
I haven't seen the movie yet but I just read the biography of the real Vernon and Irene Castle on Wikipedia and that makes this scene all the more sad! Now I know why it's called last dance. :(
mithol 4 years ago
I didn't want to see this movie cuz I read that it is really hard to take when Fred dies in the end. It was but it was definitely worth watching.
The part at 1:47 is my favorite move they do in any of their dances! It's beautiful!
moviegirly88 4 years ago
Oh, is it really hard? That's so sad. Probably the only movie he ever dies in.
I have got the entire collection of Fred/Ginger movies sitting at home. They arrived the day after I left for Germany. :(
mithol 4 years ago
Oh that must be killing you! Yea it was kinda hard...what makes it even worse is how it happens. But it is a great moive!
moviegirly88 4 years ago
Good! :) I've heard mixed opinions about it. But from a die-hard Fred fan like you, I guess yours will be closest to mine. ;)
mithol 4 years ago
That's the truth! ;)
moviegirly88 4 years ago
Actually, he dies in another, On The Beaches. It's a v. upseting movie. It was his first straight acting role (1959)... I would watch it if you have the chance. Ada Gardener and Gregory Peck are in it.
TheLights045 4 years ago
Yes. I've seen both now. The Castles and On The Beach. I found On The Beach to be a surprisingly great movie. It's not very critically acclaimed. I think I might read the book too. OMG! Can you believe that Fred was in MELBOURNE!? Sorry, it's just, that's where I live...
mithol 4 years ago
Even though this isnt one of their well known dances it is quite beautiful and they look very much in love.
filmfreak491 4 years ago