Secretly this is the movie that started my search in the first place. I was feeling down one night and happened to catch the tail end of That's Entertainment! on PBS. They showed Fred Astaire's famous ceiling dance from Royal Wedding and I was filled with joy. I know I've seen parts of this movie before, but I hadn't ever watched it all the way through. So, at Kate's suggestion, I Tivo'd it.
Royal Wedding stars Fred Astaire and Jane Powell as brother/sister act Tom and Ellen Bowen. When their show closes in New York, their agent (Keenan Wynn) books them a run in London during the wedding of some sort of royalty. On the boat ride over, Ellen meets and falls in love with Lord John Brindale (Peter Lawford). Tom falls in love with one of the girls in the show (played by Sarah Churchill). Now Tom and Ellen must decide if they're willing to break up their act for love.
Did I mention Fred Astaire dances on the ceiling? This is also the film where he famously dances with a hat rack. He and Powell have some wonderful numbers together. I fell in love with her character after five minutes. She and Peter Lawford are the definition of cute. If only Fred Astaire had been given a worthy love interest. Sarah Churchill isn't entirely uninteresting. She's just not worthy. (Even if she is the daugher of Winston Churchill.)
Fast forward moment: Ellen's ballads. They have that Snow White sound that makes me cringe.
Grade: A-
Rewind that! moment: The scene that inspired Lionel Richie.
Champion
4 months ago
7 Wisecracks:
that was SPECTACULAR. who knew they had such awesome effects back then? he truly is the best.
Miriam watched the dance clip with me and said, "He needs to be careful. That's dangerous!" :)
I own this movie- you've got to love $5.00 DVD bins! I agree that Fred Astaire's love interest was not worthy in this movie- I thought she was the worst part.
Thinking about Fred Astaire, do you like Holiday Inn? Cole and I have an argument going about what is better- "White Christmas" (I am a huge Danny Kaye fan) or "Holiday Inn." I'm curious if you care for one over the other...
Well, since you asked, I will admit that I hate "Holiday Inn." It's one of those musicals where the story doesn't make sense and they just shove a bunch of songs in one musical like they're trying to get them off the shelf. Don't get me started about the black face number.
I LOVE White Christmas. And Danny Kaye. Have you seen "The Court Jestet"?
I feel the same way about "Holiday Inn" and I think "The Court Jester" is one of the funniest movies ever!
So glad you liked it! This one is up there as one my all time favorites! I wish I could dance on the ceiling...
okay, i showed this to sophie and syrena and they thought it was your new house and fred astaire was actually brother maxwell. They were very impressed with brother maxwell's dancing. Why didn't he ever do that in primary?
I have not corrected them, either. :) Go, Jeff!
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