The Barkleys of Broadway

for being ten years apart, astaire and rogers come back with a bang. the dance numbers are good, the songs are memorable, and the plot is interesting.

A fun, frothy bit of Astaire-Rogers, which does bear the mark of one too many visits to the well - the opening scenes establishing the conflict in the Barkley marriage are incredibly laboured, but once the plot kicks in (or is discarded) there is great joy to be had just watching the joy of great dancing - though scene-stealer Levant is probably the real star; his sidebar scenes may be grossly irrelevant, but they form some of the most memorable highlights.

Okay, but they should have quit earlier.

I loathed both leads. Why is it that Fred Astaire keeps playing jerks?

Fred Astaire & Ginger Rogers back together for the first time in 10 years! Their first time in color and first time surrounded by MGM glitter. Their LAST time together. Feels like an end of an era. A real pleasant musical. Oscar Levant provides a fitting third in the chemistry and adds sophistication in musical department the two stars shine upon. Overreaches from a dramatic perspective, but as long as you take it for the expected Astaire & Rogers humor and elegance, it's a real fine send-off.