The Gay Divorcee

Guy: "Do you mind if I recite capitals?" Mimi: "What?" Guy: "Capitals of States. North Dakota: Bismarck. Wyoming: Cheyenne. Ohio: Columbus. It's lots of fun. I used to do it as a boy." Mimi: "I don't care what you did as a boy." Guy: "Well, I did nothing as a girl so there goes my childhood!" Definitive proof that Fred Astaire's comedic timing is as good as his sense of rhythm when singing and dancing. The finale is ridiculous in the best way: I must try 'The Continental', it's all the craze!

Astaire is distractingly charmless apart from his dancing, but fortunately things pick up every time Edward Everett Horton or Erik Rhodes come mincing on screen (living up to the film's title beautifully). The highlight is the Horton-centric "Let's Knock Knees" number, which fulfills the film's camp quotient a lot more convincingly than the flat attempts at a love story. All of these elements would work out a bit better in Top Hat (with a nearly identical cast), but this has some fun moments.

This film was not all bad, it had some funny characters, charming women, and lively dance numbers. I must admit, after seeing 3 or 4 of his films, I have become quite tired of watching Mr Astaire, who always plays the same old cad. The story and dialogue scenes in this movie are not the best, but the numbers like "Knock Knees" and "The Continental" almost make up for it. Not a classic by any means (not even a musical, really), but an average day out for the stars involved.

Enjoyable Astaire/Rogers pairing. They're as charming as ever, the plot is predictable and extremely contrived but mostly satisfying, and there's one big musical number that lasts like 12 minutes. It felt like something Busby Berkeley could have done. Fun.

In the 1930s, if you quickly met a woman and didn't catch her name, you'd have to go around London for days trying to find her again. Fred Astaire is the most, uh, persistent man, to put it mildly. This has the thinnest plot, but also the longest dances. The Continental just keeps going and going and going. And you know what? I loved it.

Nothing too original to say here, it’s kinda always the same with these movies: mediocre (at best) story, silly comedy (with some sexual innuendos), very pushy/stalker male lead, meh music and outstanding dance sequences performed by the god of movement Fred Astaire. It does have Edward Horton, which is a big plus.

The songs and dancing are successes, but the story doesn’t impress. Expected more from the supporting characters as well.

Fairly enjoyable. Eric Blore was great and Edward Everett Horton a highlight as always. Songs overall were good although I got a bit bored by the twelfth minute of The Continental.

Exactly the same film as Top Hat: the same plot, the same characters, the same actors, large Art Deco, dance sequences. But it works. The characters and the performances are memorable and entertaining enough, if one disregards the silliness of the screwball tone of the film. Astaire and Rogers are great with their standard magnetic chemistry between each other, but the supporting cast is nonetheless memorable and enjoyable.

88.00

Star Rating: ★★★★1/2

This one should smack a smile on your face. Of note is Astair and Rogers dancing, a couple of great songs, and some musical numbers. Choreography seems a little sophomore, when it doesn't involve the two leads.

more enjoyable nonsense from the fred astaire and ginger rogers duo, with a very long (and very impressive) rendition of 'the continental'. not quite as god as top hat.

Rewatch. It drags on and on and on and on. But when it's charming, it is, and when they dance to Night and Day, it's glorious. But it goes on. And on. And on.

Ah, the style and elegance of Edward Everett Horton.... I mean Fred Astaire & Ginger Rogers. None can match that. Dance floor king and queen. And funny too. This is really one of those overly charming pieces that almost makes one wanna puke. No denying this is good entertainment, but the whole plot is a bit over the top silly and I just get envious of the skinny prick. Oh well, The Gay Divorcee is a glamorous light farce that'll no doubt thrill many with it's flirting and quality dance numbers.

Fun dancing, entertaining writing and charismatic performances. A few dull spots here and there and it's missing a signature moment but it's a very good time.

The good stuff.

Almost as good as TOP HAT.