Top Hat

( 10 )

Overview

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." ...
See more details below
This VHS is Not Available through BN.com
See All Options

More About This Product

Overview

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.
Read More Show Less

Editorial Reviews

All Movie Guide - Richard Gilliam
Top Hat is classy, Depression-era escapism, with great tunes, witty choreography, and the charismatic screen chemistry of Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers. It is an excellent example of the fine work of director Mark Sandrich, who today is less remembered than the musical stars who had some of their greatest successes in his films. The film's story, cast, and style are largely derivative of The Gay Divorcee, which also starred Astaire and Rogers and was directed by Sandrich a year earlier. The supporting casts are pretty much the same, although Top Hat has the distinction of adding Lucille Ball in a small role. RKO pulled together many of its best resources to produce the film, including songwriter Irving Berlin, dance director Hermes Pan, and art directors Carroll Clark and Van Nest Polglase. The result was film that proved popular with audiences and critics alike. Top Hat was nominated for four Academy Awards, including Best Picture.
Read More Show Less

Product Details

  • Release Date: 5/4/1999
  • UPC: 053939659030
  • Original Release: 1935

    • Rating:

  • Source: TURNER HOME ENT
  • Format: VHS

Cast & Crew

Performance Credits
Fred Astaire Jerry Travers
Ginger Rogers Dale Tremont
Edward Everett Horton Horace Hardwick
Erik Rhodes Alberto Beddini
Helen Broderick Madge Hardwick
Eric Blore Bates
Lucille Ball Flower Clerk
Phyllis Coghlan
Gino Corrado Hotel Manager
Tom Costello
Charles Hall
Charlie Hall
Peter Hobbes Call Boy
Ben Holmes
John Impolito
Frank Mills Lido Waiter
Leonard Mudie Flower Salesman
Edgar Norton Hotel Manager
Dennis O'Keefe Elevator Passenger
Tom Ricketts Thackeray Club Waiter
Rita Rozelle
Genaro Spagnoli
Nick Thompson
Technical Credits
Mark Sandrich Director
Dave Abel Cinematographer
Fred Astaire Choreography
Irving Berlin Songwriter
Pandro S. Berman Producer
Mel Burns Makeup
Carroll Clark Art Director
Willaim Hamilton Editor
Thomas K. Little Set Decoration/Design
Bernard Newman Costumes/Costume Designer
Hermes Pan Choreography
Van Nest Polglase Art Director
Allan G. Scott Screenwriter
Max Steiner Musical Direction/Supervision
Dwight Taylor Screenwriter
Vernon Walker Cinematographer, Special Effects
Read More Show Less

Customer Reviews

Average Rating 5
( 10 )
Rating Distribution

5 Star

(10)

4 Star

(0)

3 Star

(0)

2 Star

(0)

1 Star

(0)

Your Rating:

Review Guidelines
Add Recommendations
Your Name: Create a Pen Name or

Barnes & Noble.com Review Rules

Our reader reviews allow you to share your comments on titles you liked, or didn't, with others. By submitting an online review, you are representing to Barnes & Noble.com that all information contained in your review is original and accurate in all respects, and that the submission of such content by you and the posting of such content by Barnes & Noble.com does not and will not violate the rights of any third party. Please follow the rules below to help ensure that your review can be posted.

Reviews by Our Customers Under the Age of 13

We highly value and respect everyone's opinion concerning the titles we offer. However, we cannot allow persons under the age of 13 to have accounts at BN.com or to post customer reviews. Please see our Terms of Use for more details.

What to exclude from your review:

Please do not write about reviews, commentary, or information posted on the product page. If you see any errors in the information on the product page, please send us an email.

Reviews should not contain any of the following:

  • - HTML tags, profanity, obscenities, vulgarities, or comments that defame anyone
  • - Time-sensitive information such as tour dates, signings, lectures, etc.
  • - Single-word reviews. Other people will read your review to discover why you liked or didn't like the title. Be descriptive.
  • - Comments focusing on the author or that may ruin the ending for others
  • - Phone numbers, addresses, URLs
  • - Pricing and availability information or alternative ordering information
  • - Advertisements or commercial solicitation

Reminder:

  • - By submitting a review, you grant to Barnes & Noble.com and its sublicensees the royalty-free, perpetual, irrevocable right and license to use the review in accordance with the Barnes & Noble.com Terms of Use.
  • - Barnes & Noble.com reserves the right not to post any review -- particularly those that do not follow the terms and conditions of these Rules. Barnes & Noble.com also reserves the right to remove any review at any time without notice.
  • - See Terms of Use for other conditions and disclaimers.
Search for Products You'd Like to Recommend

Recommend other products that relate to your review. Just search for them below and share!

Create a Pen Name

Your Pen Name is your unique identity on BN.com. It will appear on the reviews you write and other website activities. Your Pen Name cannot be edited, changed or deleted once submitted.

 
Your Pen Name can be any combination of alphanumeric characters (plus - and _), and must be at least two characters long.

Continue Anonymously
Sort by: Showing all of 10 Customer Reviews

  • Posted December 7, 2012

    Who can forget the sublime Cheek to Cheek? Or Top Hat, White Tie

    Who can forget the sublime Cheek to Cheek? Or Top Hat, White Tie and Tails? Not you, after you've seen this! Throw in Edward Everett Horton in all his delightful befuddlement, and you can't love. They don't call this one a classic for nothin'.

    Was this review helpful? Yes  NoThank you for your feedback.   Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.

  • Posted October 1, 2010

    more from this reviewer

    I Also Recommend:

    Singin' in the Rain

    Top Hat

    LOve the oldies. LOve the musicals.

    Was this review helpful? Yes  NoThank you for your feedback.   Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.

  • Anonymous

    Posted October 6, 2003

    Top Hat, White Tie, and Tails

    It's a case of mistaken identity. Through a few comedic situations, the whole affair is sorted out. The invaluable manservant Bates, and Berdini provide many memorable lines. It's marvelous! The dance scenes are delightful, and the costumes are fabulous. Definitely should be put on DVD, along with all Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers' movies

    Was this review helpful? Yes  NoThank you for your feedback.   Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.

  • Anonymous

    Posted August 15, 2003

    Astaire and Rogers at the Top

    Considered by many as the best of the Astaire-Rogers films, ''Top Hat'' is one of my favorites. It contains some of the dancing team's best numbers, such as ''Isn't It a Lovely Day (To Be Caught in the Rain)'' and ''Cheek to Cheek.'' In the latter, Ginger wears a fabulous ice-blue gown, the shoulders and skirt of which are completely covered with ostrich feathers. These feathers proved to be a problem during rehearsal, as they came flying out with every turn. Seamstresses worked all night on it to ensure the dress would stay intact during filming. The movie itself is very enjoyable. Another case of mistaken identities, but very well done with wonderful performances by Edward Everett Horton, Helen Broderick, and Eric Blore. Also, keep your eyes out for a cameo appearance by Lucille Ball.

    Was this review helpful? Yes  NoThank you for your feedback.   Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.

  • Anonymous

    Posted April 25, 2003

    Top Hat

    Why the heck isn't this on DVD!?!

    Was this review helpful? Yes  NoThank you for your feedback.   Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.

  • Anonymous

    Posted December 11, 2001

    Now here's a show!!!

    I saw this a while back, but no one could ever make a better musical like Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers!! This is a must see, the best of all the movies they made together ( all ten! )

    Was this review helpful? Yes  NoThank you for your feedback.   Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.

  • Anonymous

    Posted July 23, 2009

    No text was provided for this review.

  • Anonymous

    Posted October 25, 2008

    No text was provided for this review.

  • Anonymous

    Posted January 26, 2009

    No text was provided for this review.

  • Anonymous

    Posted December 25, 2008

    No text was provided for this review.

Sort by: Showing all of 10 Customer Reviews