#979: STEVENS, George: Swing Time (1936)

STEVENS, George (United States)
Swing Time [1936]
Spine #979
Blu-ray


In this irresistible musical, the legendary dancing duo Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers are at the pinnacle of their art as a feckless gambler and the shrewd dancing instructor in whom he more than meets his match. Director George Stevens laces their romance with humor and clears the floor for the movie's showstopping dance scenes, in which Astaire and Rogers take seemingly effortless flight in a virtuosic fusion of ballroom and tap styles. Buoyed by beloved songs by Dorothy Fields and Jerome Kern — including the Oscar-winning classic "The Way You Look Tonight" — Swing Time is an exuberant celebration of its stars' chemistry, grace, and sheer joy in the act of performance.

103 minutes
Black & White
Monaural
1:37:1 aspect ratio
Criterion Release 2019
Director/Writers


Screenplay by Howard Lindsay and Allan Scott.
George Stevens was 32 when he directed Swing Time.

Other Stevens films in the Collection:

#867: Woman Of The Year (1942)

The Film

A

Film Rating (0-60):

60

The Extras

The Booklet

Twelve-page wraparound featuring an essay by critic Imogen Sara Smith.

Commentary

From 1986 featuring John Mueller, author of Astaire Dancing: The Musical Films.

Archival interviews

With performers Astaire and Rogers and choreographer Hermes Pan.

Interview 1

With George Stevens Jr.

In Full Swing

A program on the film’s choreography and soundtrack featuring jazz and film critic Gary Giddins, dance critic Brian Seibert, and Dorothy Fields biographer Deborah Grace Winer.

Interview 2

With film scholar Mia Mask on the “Bojangles of Harlem” number.

Extras Rating (0-40):

39

60 + 39 =

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