Swing Time is my favorite Astaire/Rogers movie and it is considered by many, rightfully so, the finest of their collaboration. The estimable George Stevens directed this musical and the result is a movie that focuses all its energies where it should be placed- on the magical couple. Gone are the production numbers which comprised of a cast of a thousand dancers and the "other" couple (usually Randolph Scott paired with a singer). Instead, Swing Time pares down the excesses and highlights its musical gifts; and what musical gifts they are! Jerome Kern's score is his best and so affectingly sung by Astaire. The "Bojangles" number is the stuff of legend and the poignant "Never Gonna Dance" communicates the highs and lows of love as eloquently as a Shakespeare sonnet. I recommend this movie highly.
Review of Swing Time
