The Story of Vernon and Irene Castle (1939)

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1. 

   Siskoid

   I'm sure The Story of Vernon and Irene Castle is important to the history of dance, but - and I sound like a broken record by now - you really need to go the extra mile for me to enjoy a biopic. In this case, the grounded reality of the Irene Castle's memoir (and she did serve as consultant) doesn't allow for much pizazz in terms of musical numbers. Astaire and Rogers' talents are kind of wasted in that area, even if their innate chemistry serves the romance and partnership better. But overall I was more invested in Edna May Oliver's comic reactions as the famous dancing couple's manager/financier. Cute trained dogs too. Its comic moments are fun enough, its tragic ones effective. However, the best bit for me is the mid-film montage that shows how the Castles became a brand in the 1910s, fashion icons as much as performers (and eventually even war heroes). Didn't realize that could happen way back then. The montage ends on an impressive sequence where they dance on a giant map of the United States. Pretty cool. 3 years 11 months ago
2. 

   MovieDearest

   Title corrected, thanks! 13 years 6 months ago
3. 

   MovieDearest

   This is "The Story of Vernon and Irene Castle". 13 years 6 months ago

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