November 21 movie: Broadway Melody of 1940. Now here's a good Fred Astaire movie. Astaire plays the ultimate mentch: due to mistaken identity his dancing partner George Murphy gets the big break that was intended for him. Instead of fighting for his own career, Astaire coaches and helps Murphy, encourages him to date Eleanor Powell, Astaire's secret crush., and even stands in for him when Murphy gets too drunk to go on. How anyone could confuse Fred Astaire with George Murphy is beyond me, but the movie is too much fun to worry about details like that.
With her big toothy grin Eleanor Powell didn't look much like a movie star, but her dancing was spectacular. I think she's the only dancing partner besides Ginger Rogers to truly hold her own with Astaire. With great dance numbers, great songs and a great plot, this is one not to miss.
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