Movies / Top Hat (1935)

7/10

Runtime: 101 min

Genres: Comedy Musical Romance

Languages: English Italian

Countries: USA


One of the best of the Fred Astaire-Ginger Rogers musicals, Top Hat centers on a typical mistaken-identity plot, with wealthy Dale Tremont (Rogers), on holiday in London and Venice, assuming that American entertainer Jerry Travers (Astaire) is the husband of her friend Madge (Helen Broderick) -- who's actually the wife of Jerry's business manager Horace Hardwick (Edward Everett Horton). Complicating matters is Dale's jealous suitor Beddini (Erik Rhodes), whose motto is For the woman the kiss -- for the man the sword. Beddini is disposed of by some last-minute chicanery on the part of Jerry's faithful valet Bates (Eric Blore), paving the way for the happy ending everyone knew was coming from the opening scene. The Irving Berlin score includes Cheek to Cheek, Isn't it a Lovely Day?, and the jaunty title song. The charisma of the stars, the chemistry of the supporting players, the white-telephone art direction of Van Nest Polglaise, the superlative choreography by Astaire and Hermes Pan, and the effervescent direction of Mark Sandrich all combine to make Top Hat a winner. Originally released at 101 minutes, the film was for many years available only in its 93-minute reissue form; it has since been restored archivally to 99 minutes.~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide


Directors (1) Credit
Mark Sandrich ...
Writers (5) Credit
Aladar Laszlo play (uncredited)
Allan Scott writer
Dwight Taylor story
Károly Nóti uncredited
Sándor Faragó play (uncredited)
Editors (1) Credit
William Hamilton ...
Cinematographers (1) Credit
David Abel ...
Actors (31) Credit
Anya Taranda Dancer (uncredited)
Ben Holmes Minor Role (uncredited)
Charlie Hall Minor Role (uncredited)
Dennis O'Keefe Elevator Passenger / Dancer (uncredited)
Donald Meek (scenes deleted) (uncredited)
Edgar Norton London Hotel Manager (uncredited)
Edward Everett Horton Horace Hardwick
Eric Blore Bates
Erik Rhodes Alberto Beddini
Florence Roberts (scenes deleted) (uncredited)
Frank Mills Lido Waiter (uncredited)
Fred Astaire Jerry Travers
Genaro Spagnoli Fisherman (uncredited)
Ginger Rogers Dale Tremont
Gino Corrado Venice Hotel Manager (uncredited)
Helen Broderick Madge Hardwick
Henry Mowbray Minor Role (uncredited)
Jack Geiger Dancer (uncredited)
John Impolito Minor Role (uncredited)
Leonard Mudie Flower Salesman (uncredited)
Lora Lane Dancer (uncredited)
Lucille Ball Flower Clerk (uncredited)
Mary Stewart Dancer (uncredited)
Nick Thompson Minor Role (uncredited)
Peter Hobbes Theatre Callboy (uncredited)
Phyllis Coghlan Dancer (uncredited)
Rita Rozelle Dancer (uncredited)
Robert Adair London Hotel Clerk (uncredited)
Roy Brent Minor Role (uncredited)
Tom Costello Minor Role (uncredited)
Tom Ricketts Thackeray Club Waiter (uncredited)