There couldn’t be better source material for a Fred Astaire/Ginger Rogers musical then the lives of the titular Castle’s, dance phenoms and super celebrates of the 1910's (the Bradgillina of their time Gina Jacobs says). Vernon was a fairly successful vaudeville slapstick player when his new wife Irene redirected his career, and started her’s, as professional dancers debuting in Paris. The two ignited various period dance crazes on both sides of the Atlantic including the Foxtrot and Tango. They also seemed to be willing to put there names on just about any product, and Irene’s fashion sense and ‘bob’ haircut had tremendous affect on the look of American women. Vernon Castle died in an airplane training accident during World War I, saving the lives of two others in the act. The movies big flaw is its removal of several black individuals from there rightful places in the narrative, including the Castle’s longtime composer and arranger James Europe, and recasting faithful family servant Walter as a white man (played by Walter Brennen who’s odd characterization is kind of fun to watch). Also must give a shout out to John Quincey Adams decendent Edna May Oliver as the Castle’s agent and friend Maggie. Rather Enjoyable. 4 out 5.
The musical short Happily Buried (included on the DVD) about the strained romance between the heirs of two large waffle iron manufacturing concerns, is defiantly worth seeing as well.
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