Fred & Ginger - "They Can't Take That Away From Me" (1949)

[muckypupful]

i wish sometimes that movies went back to this way of film where the hits were made by the talent of the stars and traditional good scripts and not through sfx of today alone. such a shame its all computer graphics now

[greengyrl219]

this is of course there last movie together and the second time he sang this song to her on screen...very sentimental

[aquariana216]

Now, that's class.

[chickglenn07]

Of all the partners in all the movies Fred Astaire was in I really can see the chemistry and timing with such ease Ginger Rogers had with Fred. It looks so natural and beleivable. Granted all the others gave it it thier all and not taking away from any of thier great talents ( i.e. Eleanor Powell Cyd Charrise Judy Garland Barry Chase, etc.) But just athat feeling you get when Astaire and Rogers hit the floor.. WOW!!!

[ena1490]

I never get tired of watching them dance!!

[jacbar39]

...just marvelous...i really like the slower tempo of his singing in this version...

[astaire8]

THE CHEMISTRY BETWEEN FRED AND GINGER IS VERY REAL..

I LOVE THIS SCENE....

Thank you....

[cebucemagenaitap]

One word!

Breathtaking!

[MaverickGT1000]

My goodness, what a scene !! Awesome!! Unforgetable!! Fred Astaire is unmatched ! He´s unique!!

[TheAdrianananana]

She is the epitome of a woman. What all women should be. <3

[VexedPissedChild]

I didnt want it to end.

[NinjatasticCookie]

I think if someone, having never heard of Fred Astaire or Ginger Rogers saw this it would take a while for them to be convinced that they weren't in love with each other! I know most things about them both and their real relationship together but you sometimes wonder with dances like these!

[corgisnapper]

Eat your heart out 'Strictly Come Dancing' - you can't hold a candle to this.

[kingofvintage]

Just about as perfect as you can get!

[astrofabio68]

no doubt, they were soul mates..!

[irbevoli]

that's a pretty slick series of turns at 2:10

[7tosha9]

Love the dress, Ginger!

[rickram1961]

Astaire and Rogers had such elegance when dancing this stunning number!

[lupascos]

eu morro de vontade de chorar quando lembro do que vivi com esta música...

mas infelizmente comigo não foi igual a letra da música...

[JAfan3993]

This is nothing less than enchanting! <3

[ClassicFilmFan]

Her dress. His suit. The music. And the dancing. *le sigh* :D

[vTHExUNKNOWENv]

Mighty swell...

[JAfan3993]

I think out of all their songs, this one is the one that I would pick to be Fred and Ginger's theme song. I know this wasn't technically the last dance that they did together, but it always feels like the last one to me. It's as though they been apart, then they are back together, and then they are saying goodbye but they both know what they've been to each other and will never forget it. There partnership will last forever.

[citroeno]

Ooh Did you see that look Ginger gave the curtain man when she came onto the stairs.

[shufflehop]

@citroeno That's because in the movie he was the one that tricked her to dance with Fred on stage. That's why she gave him the daggers :)

[ssmbookworm]

@shufflehop Good ol' Oscar Levant.

[shufflehop]

@ssmbookworm Definitely! :)

[sammik911]

stunning.

[SatchmoSings]

As much as I love their earlier RKO films this one is my favorite and this scene in particular.

Total elegance and class and just what I'd expect from a great Hollywood film of this kind.

[music1831]

What ABSOLUTE PERFECTION.MARVELLOUS!

[syncopeter]

Incredible. The magic still is there. She'ss as beautiful as ever and and i'm completely out of my depths.

[ickeboo]

Classical love reign: He is building the frame, she is filling it up with substance and than they try to make the best out of it. Fantastic dancers! Timeless.

[AugRode]

Intimate, elegant, intricate and simple.

[agu000]

You look down at the their feet and it seems like they are flying.... then you realize you're missing the gorgeous movements of their upper body... its simply amazing... you have to watch it over and over and over again... and u still can't capture all the beauty =) LOVE IT!

[wasittoyou]

This amazing Gershwin tune was written for "Shall We Dance" and it stil lsounds and looks even better here in 1949. Thankyou for uploading this classic clip !!

[Blondewithtools]

It's amazing the entertainment (or lack of) we've settled for in the last 30 years.

[TheJessie13]

Shame that today's "film stars" don't dress like Ginger Rogers when at their aware evenings etc. How elegant and classy! Wow what a comparison to strictly come dancing.

[7tosha9]

This was Fred and Ginger's last movie together and even though this isn't the last dance you see them do in the movie, I think this performance was a beautiful sort of "last dance" for the best, musical on-screen couple that ever lived.

[TheDconCrew]

It's a wonderful song, but I couldn't help but laugh "The way you sing off keeey" on 0:35

[teteglitter]

I LOVE you for posting this scene! My favourite scene from this movie! Not to mention this is, in my opinion, one of the most beautiful love songs from that era. Love it, love it!!!

[shufflehop]

@teteglitter Aww thanks! It's great to feel loved :))

[bbcisrubbish]

Hardly old at that age. She certainly looks a million times better than the scrag bags of supposedly talented people today. She was a picture of immense beauty and charm.

[shufflehop]

@bbcisrubbish LOL, I totally agree with you there :)

[22Bluebells]

@bbcisrubbish yes, i agree

[not2b8b4u]

Fred is a itty bitty little guy..

[mhoopisblues]

Wonderful. I've heard this Song so many times, sung by Sinatra or Fitzgerald or somebody else and i liked it. But ..... with Astaire's Voice and his soft and very emotional Version i love this Song for the first time.

Thank you very much for posting this video and the other Astaire-Video's.

[shufflehop]

@mhoopisblues You're welcome! :)

[SailorJupi]

This song always makes me cry. Just beautiful.

[valerieking2010]

still they were wnderful together

[lsq68seb48]

I saw a video of a Ginger Rogers interview. She said when she showed up to make Barclays of Broadway, Fred could not hide his disappointment that Judy Garland had become suddenly ill and unable to star in Barclays. Garland had been slated for the role and Ginger became a substitute. Ginger must have been hurt by Fred's preference for Judy. Not trying to make excuses for Fred, but Ginger was beginning to show her age in 1949 and had lost much of her freshness, which Garland still had. in 1949.

[JAfan3993]

@lsq68seb48 Interesting perspective. I don't think Giner was hurt by Fred's preference for Judy. Fred always said that he loved working with Ginger. Judy might have been younger than Ginger but I don't think that Judy could have played this role anywhere near as well as Ginger did. This number wouldn't have been in the movie if it weren't for Ginger. She added sentiment to this movie that Judy couldn't have, and Ginger's dancing in this movie is wonderful. Ginger was perfect for this role.

[Airwolfgalexbucksfiz]

@lsq68seb48 Judy Garland was a good singer but Ginger Rogers was the best actress and at a better age to play a married woman who was tired of being a song and dance girl, Ginger was a oscar winner for her role in Kitty Foyle so could show more emotion in the part of Dinah Barclay, it had been 10years b4 she did this musical with Fred and the film would not have been a success with Judy in it . Judy had lost her looks with the drugs she took over the years and died younger than Ginger Rogers.

[iloveoreos15]

omg. Ginger is so freaking beautiful. Even more beautiful in color.

[jetfa9]

god she has the body of a dancer...so beautiful ..she is so amazing. Such class...

[errolfan]

Fred's the same. Ginger looks buxom and beautiful and maybe a little serious. But finally, they're in color.

[rainlori]

@errolfan Ginger's seriousness is probably to do with the movie plot. The "Barkleys" were supposed to be a show business couple with marriage difficulties. The film probably had them bickering just before going on stage to do this number. As the routine progresses, however, there seems to be a hint of reconciliation. :D

[tommyrock69]

So very romantic. So very very romantic.

[Wifixeak]

Another great dance number that never gets old! Rogers is as beautiful as she had ever been. I don't think the movie would have held the charm it still does today if Judy Garland would of been able to play the part.

[bigbandsrock1]

One of my favorite movie scenes, ever! I've seen Barkley's of Broadway many times, own the movie, and NEVER tire of this one musical number. Why is it so great? I think there are just many many elements at play here: The brilliant MGM orchestra and it's elegant, lush arrangement of one of George Gershwin's greatest numbers, & witnessing the FINAL, full dance of perhaps the greatest dance duo of all time. Their body language also says so much. An enchanting, unforgettable movie moment!

[patsyhere]

So very, very beautiful. Tears in my eyes and rapture in my heart

[SkippyZ1210]

What can I say but WoW. I'm a big Astaire fan, and Ginger looks so beautiful here in that white gown. This is not just ballroom but ballet.

[shufflehop]

Thanks everyone for so many incredible comments. I knew how much this clip touched me, but I never really was aware how much it touched (and still is touching) so many. May Fred and Ginger's legacy of dance, romance and love live on! :)

[miguelmouta]

@shufflehop Inspirative art legacy, I agree. But some say the way they hated each other aside the curtains...But just Imagine how painstacking was for the two to make such a work in those conditions.Very inspirative professional spirit. My cap down.

[willec49]

This kind of artistry and entertainment exists to bring something of beauty, meaningful relationship, heart, and love into life. It conveys something which cannot be said with words. It seems much of today's entertainment can be so crass and literal. If you want "reality" all you need to do is turn on the daily news for a free dose. This kind of music and dance provides a space removed where we can remember the beautiful and magical aspects of human nature and life. Thanks for posting it.

[DBFSin]

Is there anything more beautiful than Rogers & Astaire together on a dance floor, a stairway, a park lane, a small roller skating rink ? You name it ... if they danced .. it was just stunning ! Have loved their movies for decades & luckily others will be able to follow my lead........ so dance on my friends.... Fred & Ginger are watching !

[sbasx1]

Wheeeeeee!

[Rheisel95]

Breathtaking performance... just beautiful.

[iHooDoo]

There's something personal about this dance, I feel almost as if I've walked in on a private moment between them two; the chemistry Fred and Ginger have with each other is so beautiful to watch. Watching them dance is watching magic, real magic with no tricks or secrets. I love it, thank you for posting.

[MultiLillys]

i was born i 1964 i watched all there films as a little girl with my mum on a sunday afternoon i love them and the music and sing along to them all

[mizoginwinter]

Why can't men be men and women by women again. I would love to look feminine again - they just look so amazing together. I wish I had lived through those years. Wonderful!

[HimynameisLM]

Sometimes I purposely try to avoid this song because it's so beautiful, especially when sung by Fred, that I cry every time. But, I was just watching Loverboy (1989) in which it is a main theme song and Patrick Dempsey dances to it to bring love back into women's lives. Now I am bawling. :")

[astaire8]

FRED AND GINGER - BRING SUCH JOY WITH THEIR

SUBERB DANCING.....

Thank you......

[alecat777]

this is beautiful....and i want that dress! :)

[xbrokenXcrayonsx]

I think it's so hilarious the way people say "the youth of today doesn't know good music, cinema, fashion, ect...". After all, us 'younger generations' are but a product and molding of the older folk. I personally, have had the grand pleasure of being raised by my mother who used to watch old movies with me all the time. She, just the same as me, was introduced to the classics by her mother. It's a continuality that has stopped due not to younger people, but their parents.

[dcs93]

@xbrokenXcrayonsx My dad loved all this and I watch all sorts of films, but my idols are from this period and I agree its only because I was brought up by him that I love this and its only because his dad brought him up to love it. three generations who all idolize Gregory Peck and love the rest!

[xbrokenXcrayonsx]

@dcs93 Keep it going for a fouth. ;)

[bbcisrubbish]

@xbrokenXcrayonsx. I don't agree. The"younger generation", that is those under 60, as far as the UK is concerned, have never had the opportunity to listen to this type of music or see musical films.

All that is broadcast here are endless trashy pop musac, rubbish quizes, cooking and antiques quizes.

The commercial pragrammes show repeats of 30 to 40 year old BBC comedy shows where the jokes are no longer funny.

The BBC ownes the whole RKO library which has many musicals but not shown.

[xbrokenXcrayonsx]

@bbcisrubbish What does the television have to do with parents introducing their children to amazing cinema and music?

Certainly you can go to a video/music store or have access to the internet and can order these things. I'll admit that having TMC available 24/7 on my TV creates easy acess, but it's not my sole source of classic films.

In my house my step father listened to metal and rock, my mom was a hippie, my sister loved rap, my gandma the classics...me? The product is everything.

[bbcisrubbish]

@xbrokenXcrayonsxI. The contex of the comments on musicals is not to do with one's familiy's tastes but the availabilty of some variation of selection provided by a TAX PAYER financed organisation (The BBC). They used tax payers money to purchase RKO films which includes various musicals but BBC only show Fred & Ginger over and over. I used to subscribe to TCM via TOP UP TV but after 22 months of 19 showings of THE FIXER and 10 of The Yellow Rolls Royce I resigned.

I have run out of words.

[xbrokenXcrayonsx]

@bbcisrubbish I understand how you feel simply by reading your username. The only thing that's flawed about what you've been saying is that it has very little meaning as a reply to my original comment. I was stating that the generation of today is a product of parenting, which according to many psychologists is a true statement. I'm making the point that the older generations complain about the younger ones with very little excuse. You are making a completely different argument then myself.

[shufflehop]

@bbcisrubbish The BBC are showing Fred & Ginger's RKO movies every Saturday lunchtime on BBC2. So far they showed Flying Down to Rio, The Gay Divorcee, Top Hat and Swing Time. Tomorrow they are showing Shall We Dance at 12:00 midday.

[bbcisrubbish]

@shufflehop. I agree. And those are the only musicals ever shown by them over and over again. The Tristrums who select films on BBC and other channels use the "top of the pile" system of selection. Play it, put it back on top of the pile ad infinitum.

There are dozens of other musicals which could be shown but I suggest they are not known by the later intake of young in experienced programme commissioners. I have written to the BBC about this but all one gets is a standard rubber stamp reply.

[seandeyoung01]

@xbrokenXcrayonsx Wow, very profound and insightful comment. I think you spot on.

[xbrokenXcrayonsx]

@seandeyoung01 Ah, thank you. :)

[pattygoody]

That dress is amazing!

[JAfan3993]

It's funny how there's an advertisement for So You Think You Can Dance on this page, because after watching Fred and Ginger dance, my answer to that question would be, "not compared to Fred and Ginger." Those to can definetly dance!

[issurchaim]

very special moment in time,,,,,,,,,,

[JAfan3993]

Ginger is so elegant and graceful! Her extensions are absolutely beautiful!

[Rtmax45]

When ever Fred received an award he never failed to mention Ginger. When he received his honoary Oscor, which was presented to him over the phone, by Ginger and she read the inscription. Fred said, but they forgot to mention, that I had a partner. When he received his AFI award, he praised Ginger.

[Rtmax45]

There are many speculations as to why they broke up. The answer is that the public was tired of seeing them. The box office return was slipping for thier last 3 movies When RKO saw that, they knew it was time to end the couple's run. The Sory of Vernon and Irene Castle was a box office flop. It was not about Ginger wanting to do her own thing. For every 1 movie she did with Fred, she did 2-3 without Fred. When it ended, Fred wanted a different girl with a different plot. No team anymore.

[izzatluv]

Will always remind me of New Year Eves as a child watching their movies.....

[kirko1954]

One of the best clips from all the MGM musicals. They are so in synch that it's almost like watching a single being move. Incredible!!!

[JAfan3993]

I don't know exactly why, but this song just seems like the perfect song for Ginger Rogers and Fred Astaire. It's almost like it's their theme song. :) Gosh I love them!

[JAfan3993]

WOW, I just got chills and I don't think it's from the ice cream I'm eating!

[dormantone]

Fred's vocal is much better the second time around; and seeing Ginger in glorious Metrocolor is an added treat. The song is haunting! And so is this performance by the two of them!

[rainlori]

@dormantone Hi it is magnificent three-strip Technicolor we see here in this 1949 film. Metrocolor (Eastmancolor) was introduced from 1950 as a cheaper, but inferior, colour process :D

[ophelia48]

So many years later they are just as perfect as when they performed on screen throughout the 1930's.  The truly were one of Hollywood's best duets with the perfect balance of charm, tenderness, and elegance, and inner passion. Thank you so much for posting this--seeing them perform live after they (or more like Ginger Rogers who had been barely 20 when she did the movies) had matured and lived a bit more really shows and adds to their performance. Love it! tits an endless timeless love affair!

[astaire8]

FRED AND GINGER PLUS GERSHWIN'S HAUNTING SONG -

SHEER MAGIC.........

Thank you.....

[purplypassion]

her dress would be perfect for my prom! :)

[Percussiongurl]

okay im 21 I love musicals of the golden era and I have seen ALL of their movies together(15 times over) but every time i see this movie and this particular scene it brings a tear to my eye. I really cant explain but @keleigh97 i think you said it right

[mkmih01]

MY GENERATION SUCKS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! COme on people... this is what its all about. This is the good stufff:)

[hiromisky]

This movie is one of the greatest ones. Watching Ginger and Fred together again, after ten years apart and getting the feeling nothing had change between them in all those years is always a wonder.

[ellechick13]

Just watched Shall We Dance - he sings this to her and it's beautiful, I think they were wonderful together and always will be.

[shufflehop]

@ellechick13 Hi there, the story behind that was when Ginger and Fred made Shall We Dance she thought it should have been a dance number. So when they got together again for The Barkleys of Broadway, Ginger got her wish :)

[ellechick13]

@shufflehop didn't know that, it's such a wonderful number, thank you very much for the info :P

[katies1911]

Innocent** thing. there will never be another man like Fred Astaire he's tops to Me and the beauty of Ginger is timeless she didn't need a plastic surgery or all that crap we have now adays to be beautiful...god help us

[katies1911]

Im 22 and I cry when I see them on screen i fell in love with him long ago but that's nothing to do with the bittersweet feeling I get when I c them on screen this world we live in now almost kills me to see I can hardly take it and I kno theres nothing that can be done about it I'm just one of the souls that were born again frm that time into a time I cannot recognize the only thing beautiful about today is the dwindling nature world and we are destroying that by the minute like every other in

[NickyLess]

Absolutely spell-binding. I wanted to be Ginger, just to be able to move like that.

Am I the only one, and maybe I've got my job on my mind, but does anyone else think that the dress would make a gorgeous wedding gown?

[easttxfugee]

Exquisite!!! Basically this is what helped seal my fate as a classic movie junkie. Ay-yi-yi, I could cry! Thanks so much for sharing :D

[honeybee7700]

this is my fave rogers and astaire scene it's heaven!

[MsMjluv]

I just love Fred Astaire. When I was little I'd watch reruns of his movies on weekends and dance around with a broom and pretend I was dancing with him.

[juliepop13]

So lovely...in all ways. 

[ReelGoodTimes]

I delight in seeing these two talented people dance! One thing I have noticed is that Fred often makes comments to Ginger while they dance. It's subtle, but it's there. Watch his lips when their faces come close to each other. For me it adds one more unique nuance to the delicate refinement of their numbers and enhances the magic in their pairing.

[CantoErgoSum]

@ReelGoodTimes Well spotted! Go watch Top Hat again; near the end of the Piccolino Fred holds his hands out to her and says, "You're so sexy!" as he dances around her. She says "thanks," too! Also, in the tag scene where they reprise the Piccolino, Fred says very clearly as they go down the stairs, "Oh, this is the set, right?" and Ginger says, "Yes it is!"

I love that Fred can't even deal with how excited he is to be dancing with her again. Look at them smile!

[ntherewas1]

love this song! ooh they look so pretty together =) oh and i'm 16...and i hope i'm not too ignorant, I play piano, have been for 10 years - classical - and if i can love that, rest assured i like this xD

[cuteffagal]

This song is truly one of my favorites and I love that it is two of their movies (at least....I'm still working through them). I cannot express enough how much I love them together, they are such a joy to watch. Both are so elegant and graceful. The only thing to decide is whether I like their tap dancing more!

[nmitchell076]

What an incredible work of art! I thought that when I first heard the recording of the music and vocals alone. Now that I see the video as well.... wow!

Mr. Gershwin, Mr. Astaire. Bravo!

[notfrozen]

I'm all teary now. There will never be any one who can dance like those two danced. It's like magic and it makes you forget everything. Thank you for posting this.

[mca1218]

As I've said before, "singularly gorgeous." By 1949, Fred and Ginger were a single unit of motion, a set that could never be split up. But they hadn't danced on film in 10 years, and by now he was 50 and she was 38...and it didn't matter one bit. The only A-R film by MGM, it gives us the dance that we never got in 1937 when he sang this number to her the first time. Ginger's Cinderella-like gown is beautiful, and it's fitting that for their last film together they get to do it in Technicolor.

[MissLizzanna]

I'm surprised there aren't more comments. Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers were both genius and it makes me sad that the youth of today can't see or appreciate that. they're missing out so much.

[shufflehop]

@MissLizzanna That's because this clip leaves everyone speechless :) But judging from the number of views this clip has had there are a lot of people out there who have a real need to watch this. With so many unpleasant things happening around us this makes the world feel a whole lot better :)

[MissLizzanna]

@shufflehop so true about feeling better. i love movies from the world war two and depression era. they made the best movies then because it was something to distract them and put a smile on their face. and these two will definately put a smile on your face!

[ynohplu]

@MissLizzanna that's not entirely true. i'm 22 years old as of yesterday and this is my favorite movie ever. i fell in love with fred when i was 12. there is something so magical about what they did together that it kind of transcends generations. i just wanted to say that the youth just need to be given a chance to appreciate. i did and i've been enthralled ever since. :)

[MissLizzanna]

@ynohplu i just turned 17 monday and i have loved fred and ginger since about 12 too but the only people i know that appreciate it like i do are your age and older. none of my friends want to see any movie that's in black and white. they've all been brought up watching movies with violence and sex and drugs. nothing pure and innocent like fred and ginger. :( i'm very grateful to my dad for introducing me to the classics! i wish more would be introduced.

[verendus9]

@MissLizzanna Oh, not all youths. I'm 15 and I absolutely love Fred & Ginger, and just about everything in the 40's to the 60's! They have so much more class, and grace than most of today's celebrities.

[terentii]

@MissLizzanna To borrow a line from Charlie Brown, I weep for this generation.

I know it's been said many times throughout history, but the baby boomers and their offspring (and now their offspring's offspring) have to be the most insufferable ones yet.

I was born in 1955, BTW, and would give anything to have been born a few decades earlier!

[jpavan12]

Woao,..that's was talent folks. Fred and Ginger just take you in a magical journey.

[keleigh97]

It was as if they had never parted. The magic was still there. I love this dance and song. It is hard for them to hide their joy in dancing together again as they smile at each other during different parts of the dance as it is suppose to be very solemn and retrospective of their partnership. It is beautifully executed by the greatest dancing duo of all time.

[shufflehop]

@keleigh97 A really wonderful comment. Thankyou! Couldn't have said it better myself. You will probably have noticed that I didn't even try putting anything meaningful in the description because this clip just says it all, no need for introductions or descriptions, simply experiencing and savouring this great movie moment, and the chemistry between them :)

[hamishray]

@keleigh97 I agree.