Customer Reviews (4)

Much more than top hat, white tie, and tails
Last night I had the chance to see the magnificent Andrea Marcovicci in her "Andrea Sings Astaire" show. It was a great reminder, if such were necessary, of the profound influence Fred Astaire had on American popular music. Similarly, "Fred Astaire Style" is an excellent reminder of the man's influence on the evolution of a distinctly American approach to male dress. In an age when it's a tough decision which is worse -- contemporary music or contemporary haberdashery -- G. Bruce Boyer has given us a handy guide to what it means for a man to be well put-together.

"Fred Astaire Style" begins with a brief essay tracing the subject's biography and career, with an emphasis, as you'd expect, on his distinctive approach to style. Boyer also places Astaire's dress sense within a larger historical context of America's rejection of European style cues, the influence of the Depression, and the rise of a casual approach to men's style ("the small-shouldered, soft-chested, international sartorial look that's worn today"). After this comes many pages of great photos of Astaire young and old, in a wide assortment of dress, sporting, and casual clothes. I would have preferred that the captions accompanied each photo, instead of being banished to a few pages at the back of the book, but that's not a major complaint.

More than that, I wished this book was longer. While Boyer has done an excellent job assembling photos and providing a general overview, I'd point the reader to, for example, several books by Alan Flusser that break down Fred Astaire's style in more detail. Nevertheless, this book is both a respectful look back and a useful guide today. Fred Astaire still has a lot to offer as a modern icon. Here's to more people paying attention.

Very good fashion
Fred Astaire has a stlye of his own and the book covered his style very well.Enjoy the book.

Once again - superb
Mr. Boyer is a classic gentleman and in this one he writes about another.

If you have never read Mr. Boyer's works then you've missed out.Mr. Boyer's understanding of and love for classic menswear is evident and well researched.The prose is elegant and flows elegantly and as usual it is the stuff you'd expect from the man generally accepted as 'the man' in the realm of sartorial grace.

Mr Boyer has a unique way of sharing his love for the sartorial arts that makes you feel it - a rare literary ability.

I look forward to completing my collection of his work by getting this one signed along with his others.Whether you are a recent entrant to the business world or a gentleman who has appreciated the finer points of classic menswear and style for years this and all of Boyer's work is an absolute must read.

In every field there exists "The Authority".In the realm of classic men's style G. Bruce Boyer is that man.If you don't pick this up then may you spend eternity in polyester.

Well done Bruce, Thanks for shining a light on this timeless icon of style & grace as only you could!

Nice Essay, Pretty Pictures, Thin on Substance
Fred Astaire was a marvelous dancer - he made dancing look easy. He was graceful and elegant. With Ginger Rogers, he made a bunch of screwball movies that were short on plot, but musically wonderful and with dancing that was something special.
Astaire was also an elegant dresser and that is what this very short book is all about. The essay explains Astaire's very special elegance and how he worked terribly hard to make things look very easy. It's nice, but at 15 pages or so, doesn't cover a whole lot of new ground. The pictures - many of them from Astaire's Hollywood days - are, of course, quite beautiful, but for all their charm - there's something missing. ... Read more

Book Description
Fred Astaire allows us to see through the effortless balletic exuberance. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (14)

Steps in Time by Fred Astaire
Prior to purchasing this item I read a review that said the book didn't say anything about Fred Astaire's personality. After reading this book, you can tell about every section of Fred's life, his up and downs, his feelings, his experiences.Mr. Astire writes in the style he lived...Elegantly written.I couldn't put the book down because it was exciting to read.

A Legendary Artist; A Superficial Memoir
Fred Astaire (1899-1987) was, quite simply, a dance genius.He appeared on stage, often with his sister Adele, in such landmark musicals as LADY BE GOOD and FUNNY FACE; he graced at least 43 films, 31 one of which were musicals; he is, for all practical intents and purpose, American dance, and he worked with artists no less legendary than he.But for all this, his 1959 autobiography is most notable for being, well, utterly mundane.

STEPS IN TIME is essentially a catalogue of the various shows in which Astaire performed, ranging from Vaudeville (with sister Adele) to SILK STOCKINGS with Cyd Charisse.He always loves his leading lady; he always likes his director; even when the show was not as good as it could have been he finds something nice to say about it; and he never, ever offers the least bit of insight into his private life, his work, or the many with whom he worked over the years.Indeed, Astaire actually has more to say about his love of the racetrack than he does about any of his films or specific dance routines.

Fans of Astaire and the Hollywood musical will certainly want to read STEPS IN TIME, but even the most ardent fan will likely be disappointed by the superficial quality of the work.One can only hope that a future biographer will give Astaire the full portrait that he himself could not.

GFT, Amazon Reviewer

franceskent
This book reveals as much about Fred Astaire in what it doesn't say as in what it tells.He was a shy man, of Austrian descent, very little formal education, and was eclipsed by his funny and attractive older sister in his days on the stage.These things shaped him into the perfectionist we saw on film.He had an incredible work ethic and was always looking for a new gimmick or dance style because he was not confident the audiences would keep on coming.He is not a natural story teller and sometimes leaves us wanting to hear more (e.g.can tell you he and a famous person had a lot of laughs together but not what they did or said that was funny). Still it is a good companion to the TV biography the BBC did about him a few years ago. All the best American composers of the day wanted to write for him (He and Gershwin were young unknowns together) and his evolution from vaudeville to Broadway to film happened during key times of all of those media.I do recommend the book if you want to know more about Fred Astaire, but not as a stand-alone source.

A book worth reading...
This book is actually one big anecdote, peppered with little things like Mr. A's first punch, trying to figure out a title for the book, and meeting his wife, Phyllis.

However, Fred Astaire does not offer much insight on how he got from point A to Z, or what made him do this and that. In other words, people who want the whys (and plan to psychoanalyze Mr. A's actions) will not find what they are looking for.

It's still a great read though, and real entertaining.

a must for fans of the talented Mr. A
Fred Astaire tells his story in the same way he dances, with integrity and grace. I have been a fan of Mr.Astaire's for many years. The first movie of his I saw was "Daddy Long Legs." I was fasinated with the way he danced. When I found out that he had a biography I snatched a copy up. What I like about this book is that Fred Astaire wrote it himself. I found myself laughing at times, and after reading the book I felt as if I knew him personally. The best thing about this book is that it has 47 black and white photos. This book is a must for true fans of one of the greatest dancers who ever graced the big screen. ... Read more

Book Description

Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers endure in the American imagination. The charm and grace of their dancing in the ten films they made together, includingTop Hat andSwing Time, elicit nostalgia today. Most books about the Astaire-Rogers films focus exclusively on the music and dance scenes, but this book shows that the films are much more than the sum of those scenes, which after all only account for approximately one-third of their films' running times. Gallafent argues that, contrary to received opinion, the musical numbers are not discrete, generic moments dropped in to enliven the films. Instead, the music and dance routines advance the movies' themes.

Gallafent shows how dialogue, plotting, and the audience's perception of this striking professional couple affect the context, and thus meaning, for the song and dance routines. The book examines how the Astaire-Rogers musicals, which were produced and originally viewed as a series, relate to one another and to other musicals of their day. Gallafent also provides an illuminating account of the films Astaire and Rogers made separately during the 1940s before their final reunion inThe Barkleys of Broadway. Astaire and Rogers concludes by

tracing the development of their star personas both together and apart, and shows how the films were designed around those personas.

Customer Reviews (6)

UNBELIEVABLY BAD...
I agree with Meriam -- this book is SO DRY, SO UNBELIEVABLY ANALYTICAL it's ridiculous.In fact, I would suggest that if anyone who has never seen an Astaire/Rogers film managed to get through this book, they would never WANT to see one.How anyone could write about Astaire and Rogers without expressing the sheer joy, fun, and overall entertainment value of their work is beyond me, but Gallafent has managed to do it big time.And verbose?The author uses 100 words to describe what could be said in 10.What a complete waste of print, paper, and time.

Dead Astaire and Ginger
I adore Fred Astaire and his artful genius. Nobody does it better. Ginger is his best dance-partner, for certain. But this book is the dryest, most boring recitation of dead data that I have ever read. It is almost worthless, even for the most avid Astaire devotee. These two vibrant stars deserve better than this dismal book. And they get it; if you can find, "Astaire Dancing" by John Mueller, the ultimate Astaire/Rogers book, (pricey but spectacular) buy it. It is everything the Astaire/Rogers fan could possibly want.

What a waste
As a huge Astaire/Rogers fan I found this book to be nothing more than a collection of over analyzed run-off with a few interesting tidbits thrown in. There's very little entertainment in the reading. One get's the impression this book was authored by Sigmund Freud. Different maybe, but yuck.

A Look at Two Careers and Images
This book is more about the careers and images of Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers from 1934-49 than it is a study of their movies together and their dancing.If you are a dance enthusiast and want to read a detailed account of their dances, this is NOT the book for you.

However, I am not a dance person, but I like classic Hollywood films, and I found this book interesting.It shows how the Fred&Ginger films share some concerns with screwball comedy, how World War II affected the images of both stars, and how stars age in the public eye.Gallafent isn't the most graceful of writers, and I got confused in his discussion of "Once Upon a Honeymoon," but I thought he did a good job connecting the Fred&Giner phenomenon to other developments and careers in classic Hollywood.

An Unusual Premise
Gallafent reviews the films of Astaire and Rogers, both those they made separately and those they made together, from their first pairing through the late forties. Gallafent makes a plausible case for continuity and development from one musical to another. Even as you find his arguments logical and believable, you know Hollywood doesn't work that way. Few people expect or want anything more from an A & R movie than the unalloyed pleasure of the singing and dancing. Gallafent even manages to connect the films Rogers did without Astaire (of which there were many more than I had realized). In spite of his quirky premise, Gallafent is interesting and entertaining throughout, and the book is chock full of stills from the films. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

A Very Good Biography
I found this book to be a very in depth look at the life of Fred Astaire. It's a must for any fan. However, after reading his autobiography, this book doesn't have the same amount of humour and charm. For a biography, it's great. ... Read more

Book Description
Follow the footsteps of two persevering siblings who danced their way into a cherished place in the spotlight.

In 1905, four-and-a-half-year-old Fred Astaire put on his first pair of dancing shoes — and from that moment, his life was filled with singing, dancing, and fancy footwork. Fred’s older sister, Adele, was the real dancer, but Fred worked hard to get all the steps just right, and it wasn’t long before he was the one capturing headlines and stealing the show. In this fascinating story of child stars who hoof their way to knockout success on Broadway and beyond, Roxane Orgill and Stéphane Jorisch team up for a bravura performance, capturing the sophistication, fluidity, and grace of two of the biggest names in dance history. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (3)

A missed opportunity
Yes, this book tells the story of Fred and Adele Astaire in a way that kids understand, but it doesn't give a child any reason to care about them. It reads like a resumé -- "first they did this, then they did that, then they did the other thing."
The illustrations are nice out of context, but a ghastly choice for this particular subject. Perhaps the rubbery style was supposed to suggest the fluidity of dance, but it simply makes the dancers look formless and off balance, everything that the Astaires were not.

The illustrations are upbeat without making light of the hard times of the Great Depression
Footwork: The Story of Fred and Adele Astaire is a children's picturebook biography of the early years of celebrated singer, dancer, and movie star Fred Astaire and his older sister Adele Astaire. When both siblings were young, they had to work hard learning to dance and perform for vaudeville theater; the money they brought in helped support their family, and in hard times dinner might be no more than a single egg split between the two of them. In their youth, Adele was recognized as the better performer when both were children; Fred labored to match her natural talent, and honed his creativity inventing new acts to perform. They grew up together, and when Adele chose to get married and retire from dancing, Fred faced a whole new challenge - he'd almost always performed with her before; now he had to face the stage by himself. He dared to venture to Hollywood, and so began his legendary film career. The illustrations are upbeat without making light of the hard times of the Great Depression, and the text of Footwork is just involved enough to be suitable for young readers who are almost ready to move on to chapter books. Highly recommended.

DANCING WITH A TRUE STAR

Both Balanchine and Nueyev called Fred Astaire the best dancer of the 20th century.Even today, some two decades after his death, he is well remembered when one of his 30 movie musicals is shown on television,and he is still considered to be one of the world's most debonair gentlemen, an icon of male fashion.We think of Fred and Ginger, as together with Ginger Rogers he made ten memorable films.But, how many remember that his first dancing partner was his sister, Adele?

She was the one considered to be a born dancer.So, in 1905 Adele (age 7), Fred (age 5) and their mother boarded a train for New York City so Adele could attend dancing school.Father remained in Omaha where he worked for a brewery.

Fred joined his sister in taking lessons and before long their instructor put them in a show, as a bride and groom who "tap-danced on top of a pair of wooden wedding cakes."At that time vaudeville was all the rage, and the talented youngsters soon won a spot on the vaudeville circuit. Mother, daughter and son began traveling from town, eventually returning to Omaha where they were enthusiastically received.At that time, Adele was the star of the act.

However, the time came when they were no longer children, not "adorable little kids," so they were reduced to playing on a small-time circuit.Times were tough as they shared the stage with trained seals.But they worked hard, perfected new acts and finally won the hearts of theater goers.They were offered a part in a Broadway show in 1917.Success followed success until in 1932 Adele announced her intention to marry and retire - they had danced together for almost 30 years.

Shortly thereafter Fred flew to Hollywood and the rest is cinema history.

Footwork is a charming biography of a persevering family, his talented sister, and the man many consider to have had the most influence on movie musicals.Who else danced on a wall?

- Gail Cooke
... Read more

Customer Reviews (7)

Fred Astaire:An Elixir
He has been gone for almost twenty years now.Yet, his dancing is still fresh.When the world becomes too coarse, when things are going too fast and everything needs a good dose of class, I think of Fred Astaire.He was the epitome of grace, enthusiasm and kindness.Like Audrey Hepburn, if there ever was a way of conducting oneself and enjoying life, Fred was it.

This book is fun to read. It's a nice overall look at the various facets of his life: his daughter, mother, first wife Phyllis and the controversial Robyn. There's also a lot on how he lived, tidbits from good friends such as Carol Lynley, Bill Self, Hermes Pan and most notably, his housekeeper Jo.Daughter Ava also pipes in. The most telling thing in the book about his personal rhythm is a letter he wrote to his sister Adele.His use of language reads like a great jazz riff.

Noticeably missing are contributions from his sons Fred Jr., and Peter and his grandchildren.One day you hope the entire Astaire tribe will write something together, a tribute to theman that gave them a swell childhood, and raised them to be non-Hollywood adults.

You'll only find it used, and the photos and insights from his friends make it well worth it.

Everything you never knew you wanted to know about Fred!
This book is a little treasure trove of anecdotes from people who worked with or were friends of Fred Astaire.While those anecdotes are interesting and often insightful, for my money it's the photos that make this book a real keeper.The effortless grace and style that Astaire showed in moving pictures is captured in still photos.Fred Astaire was a man who, though he was not conventionally handsome, was appealing to millions and used what he had to make magic.He was effortless charm personified:a gentleman, a wit, and a remarkably snappy dresser too!And as we all know, he could dance like nobody's business.Gravity seemed to have little effect on Fred ... no special effects required!

Though he was brilliant at what he did, Astaire was self-effacing and modest almost to a fault, so a book like this is a nice way of learning more about him.Once you've read the book, you'll want to watch the movies (if you haven't already had that delicious experience).Start with Top Hat or Shall We Dance -- classic Fred and Ginger!Fred was also well paired with Rita Hayworth (in "You'll Never Get Rich"), and -- surprisingly -- simply marvelous with a much younger Audrey Hepburn (Funny Face), which has the added attraction of being set (mostly) in Paris.

Those old films are time capsules from an era when graciousness and gentle humor meant something -- and as the epitome of those things, as well as perhaps the most talented hoofer America has ever produced -- Fred Astaire has earned his place as a large and living footnote in American popular culture.This book is part of a well earned homage, and deserves a place on every Astaire fan's bookshelf!

A towering figure in 20th century culture
Fred Astaire's richly deserved reputation as one of the world's greatest dancer is enhanced with this book, which does a superb job of moving beyond the dance and into his personal life, his professional relationships, his Anglophile tendencies and more.Did you know that the Gershwins and Irving Berlin composed more songs for Fred Astaire than for any other single person?These men latched onto the carefree, wholly American ease projected by Astaire and made him the vehicle for some of their most memorable classics.

The quotations Giles gleans from Astaire friends, colleagues and family do the trick of supplementing the very little we know of this very private man.Ginger Rogers tartly observes, "Well, I think when you work with somebody all day long, for ten movies, you become good friends, though he was as delighted not to see me at night over dinner as I was."Then here's Liza Minnelli asking Halston to dress her like "Fred Astaire in the daytime and a movie star at night."Cary Grant apparently felt that Astaire was the pinnacle of style--after watching "Broadway Melody of 1940," Grant desparately searched everywhere for a white tuxedo identical to the one worn by Astaire in this film.Even his podiatrist is quoted herein, noting wryly that Fred sometimes had trouble with his toes because he wore his shoes a half size too small so as to convey a neater impression.

The photographs, many of which were published here for the first time, include studio glossies of Astaire with his many famous co-stars, Astaire at home with his family and dogs, and a hilarious shot of Astaire skateboarding in the late 1970s.This examination of a one-of-a-kind talent is summed up most perfectly when Rudolf Nureyev says, "We were all dancing.Fred was doing something else entirely.""Fred Astaire: His Friends Talk" is a must for any movie lover or dance lover's library.

Fred Astaire - His Friends Talk
This book is a wonderful addition to any true lover of Fred Astaire. The photographs of him, his family, his friends and his dancing are rare and a must for any real collector.Agree that the book does not give much on his life as far as a biography, but it is a great collectors item.I cherish my copy.

A Disjointed Work
Sarah Giles has unfortunately done nothing to forward a deeper understanding of Fred Astaire - her text consists of individual names and quotes of a few sentences regarding the topic at hand.Very little was devoted to Fred Astaire's dancing, and I do not think it would be possible for one more person to mention his "perfectionism".The sole redeeming quality of this book is the exemplary collection of photographs taken of Astaire throughout his life and career.I think a interested reader would be better off pursuing a traditional Astaire biography than reading this book. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (3)

Best book published on this team
Actually published in the 1970's,
Arlene gives great insight into the
dances, the casting, script, and other details.
A wealth of useful information for both
dancers and Astaire-Rogers fans.
Far and away the best book on this great team.

The definitive study of a glorious pair!
At just 191 pages Arlene Croce's FRED ASTAIRE & GINGER ROGERS BOOK is a gem.This is a classic work from the 1970'

Lots of fun, lots of information
The Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers Book is both entertaining and informative.Croce provides insightful commentary on the two stars' careers, their films, and individual dances to compliment the delightful pictures throughout the book. The top corners of the pages can even be used as a flip book so you can see a sample of Fred and Ginger dancing.This book has a wealth of information and is fabulous for anyone interested in the history of dance on film. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

THIS IS THE BEST ASTAIRE BOOK EVER
for any hardcore astaire fan this is THE BOOK TO HAVE. a huge picture book, filled with tons of great photos. astaire's career is laid out from the beginning, including his early stage work. there is a chapter devoted to each film, about a dozen pages each, giving the credits and running time, synopsis of film (with the appropriate photos),the backstory of the filming process, ancedotes on and quotes from his co-workers in each film,the critics' reviews of the time, and how successful each film was. the book is well researched and very well written. while stanley green obviously admires astaire, his writing is very objective and journalistic,with very little of his personal opinion mixed in. this is a perfect historical record of astaire's career...a great astaire book. ... Read more

Book Description
One of the most dynamic figures of the entertainment industry, Fred Astaire's career spanned most of the twentieth century. For some, he brings to mind the world of Broadway. For others, he represents the golden age of the movie musical, particularly because of his eleven-film collaboration with Ginger Rogers. Virtually all of his fans will long remember his effortlessly graceful dance routines. International dance giants have credited his work with inspiring their careers and giving them a model of excellence. His innovations as a choreographer, dance director, and creator of musical sequences forever changed the presentation of dance on film. Though he was always in the public spotlight, he treasured his family and cherished his privacy. For a star of such stature, he was remarkably free from scandal. This reference book is a complete guide to his life and career. The volume begins with a biography that traces his life from his birth in Omaha in 1899, to his professional debut in 1905, to his Broadway and Hollywood careers, to his death in 1987. A chronology then highlights the chief events of his life. The chapters that follow provide detailed information for his work on stage, film, radio, and television. Each chapter includes entries for individual performances, with entries providing cast and credit information, plot synopses, critical commentary, and excerpts from reviews. The volume also lists his recordings, unfulfilled projects, and other information. An extensive annotated bibliography concludes the work. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (6)

Regarding Photos
The format is easy to follow and it does contain some pieces of information that I haven't been able to find elsewhere.It appears that none of the people who gave reviews mentioned anything about the photos in this book.In all fairness to the buying public I think it should be mentioned that the photos are dark and some are so dark you can't make out facial features to know who is in the photo. If you are a strong Fred Astaire fan you will want this book but do not count on any of the photos when making your decision to purchase this book.

Essential reading for the true Fred fanatic
This book is a treasure house of information, packed with tidbits and anecdotes that will have you reading for hours when you only meant to look up just that one bit of info. The author pulls it off with style in a readable format that makes fascinating going out of what could have been just a laundry list of dates. His passion for the subject, and joy in sharing it, shines through on every page. I was intially put off by the high price myself until I had a chance to look at a copy, and I realized that it was worth every penny, not to mention every minute of painstaking research that went into it.

Essential reading for the true Fred fanatic
This book is a treasure house of information, packed with tidbits and anecdotes that will have you reading for hours when you only meant to look up just that one bit of info. The author pulls it off with style in a readable format that makes fascinating going out of what could have been just a laundry list of dates. His passion for the subject, and joy in sharing it, shines through on every page. I was intially put off by the high price myself until I had a chance to look at a copy, and I realized that it was worth every penny, not to mention every minute of painstaking research that went into it.

The Best of All the Astaire Books
This book was recommended to me by Fred Astaire's daughter, who described it as "wonderful."I found it to be all of that and more.The author knew Mr. Astaire personally and made extensive use of the Astaires' papers (both Fred's and and his sister's) that are preserved at Boston University.The book covers the full gamut of Astaire's life and career, including vaudeville, stage, films, radio,recordings, and television.Insightful and meticulously researched, this is a "must have" for any admirer of the man who has been described as "the greatest musical perfomer in the history of motion pictures" and "the premier American dancer of the Twentieth Century."

A must for Astaire fans!
Let me start off by saying that this book is for serious Astaire fans only. If you have seen only one movie of Fred's, enjoyed it and wish to know more about the man, I suggest "Steps In Time". However, if you've seen most of his movies, listened to his music, watched his tv shows, and still want to know more than this book is invaluable. Billman covers all aspects of Fred's work. Each chapter is devoted to a different facet of Fred's career: filmography, radio, television, discography, etc. While giving the facts, Billman also mentions interesting anecdotes about Astaire that give you a glimpse at his character. Its definitely not "clinical" by just saying "Fred did this movie this year with this costar and this director". He does give that information but also mentions any difficulties with dances, how certain things were done, any problems with costars. He also includes a short biography of Fred, short because chances are if you're reading the book in the first place you're already familiar with Fred's life. I've found myself using it several times to check dates, supporting actors, and as a sort of checklist for my Fred collection. I highly recommend it even if it is rather expensive. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (3)

Dance Until You Drop
Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers were a wonderful on-screen pair and everyone loved their simple charm.I think Baxt captures that charm in this little book.Like all of his celebrity mysteries, this is a satire, and I think it portrays the McCarthy hearings quite well.Life in Hollywood in 1953 was difficult and everyone looked at everyone else to try to figure our whether or not they were "commies".In this book we see Fred and Ginger smack in the middle of a Russian espionage scam.Ginger's therapist dies and Villon and Mallory know that he was poisoned.What's his background and history?They find out and its a world of double agents, family rivalries and Communist underworld.Of course Villon figures it out, but even he is surprised to find out who the "kingpin" is.

An Enjoyable, if Implausible, Read
I picked up this book because I have always loved Astaire and Rodgers.However, when I started reading, I was dissapointed.The plot seems a little farfetched.I think there were too many characters, and I kept wondering why everybody knew each other.Russia is a large country, but reading this book makes it seem like a small town.However, this book did manage to keep me interested in what happened at the end.I would read it for distraction because it is by no means great literature.

odd, yet...
Like many of Baxt's novels, this one goes a little off-track with all the characters and spies, et cetera.However, that, in this humble reader's opinion, is part of the charm.These mysteries were obviously not writtenfor deep, critical analysis, but for simple enjoyment.All the characters,and there are many, are fleshed out, and if the plot lacks bits that areshoved in a bit too hurriedly at the end, well that's just part of thecharm.Another three cheers for George Baxt. And for Fred and Ginger. ... Read more

Book Description
In January, 1933, a young Broadway star named Fred Astaire entered the RKO studios for a screen test."Can't act. Slightly bald.Also dances," was the reaction of one official.Thus began the amazing film career of one of the world's most celebrated dancers.

Astaire: The Man, The Dancer captures the elegance and mystique of the most recognized and loved figures ever to dance across the silver screen.During nearly eighty years in every major entertainment medium, he has persevered and excelled.He never quit, never passed up an opportunity to push himself and to dance to new levels of achievement.The first complete, up-to-date biography - is a fitting tribute to the man and his art.

Foreward by Peter Bart, Editor-in-Chief, Variety. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

A wonderful book about a wonderful man
For any Fred fan out there, this book is a must. It begins with his career in Vaudeville with his sister Adele. It then chronicles his transition into Broadway and then movies (when his sister retires). There are interesting anecdotes about making the movies (including the one about the troubles with Ginger's feather-y dress in Top Hat). It then tells about Fred's "retirement", his love of horse racing, the death of his wife Phyllis, and meeting his second wife Robyn. This is a good book because throughout the book are Fred's thoughts on certain topics. However, since this is the large-print version, the wonderful pictures from the original version are not present. But, true fans will love reading about this classy gentleman.

Astaire-The Man and the Dancer by Bob Thomas
The work contains details on Fred Astaire- his celebrated dancing
and many unique routines. He was suave, smooth and dapper. The
Astaire house overlooked the Beverly Hills hotel. Both Fred and
his wife Adele Astaire gave whirlwind dancing exhibits which contained toe dancing and other famous styles. Fred Astaire and
Ginger Rogers performed in films which were considered to be
RKO's most valued property. The volume is well worth the price
for enthusiasts of Fred Astaire and his famous dancing performances. ... Read more