Any of the films in which Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers appeared is worth a look. Each one has something that will endear it to the viewer that seeks in their films entertainment, as well as fun. "Swing Time", their 1936 film was directed by George Stevens, a distinguished American director that had a long career in Hollywood. It helps though that Jerome Kern and Dorothy Fields worked in writing some of the most beautiful melodies heard in the movie.

"Swing Time" is a pretext to present the stars doing what they did best: dancing! Lucky Garnett is made to be late for his own wedding to the socialite Margaret, who contrary to what one expects is forgiving and accepts her boyfriend's excuses. Garnett has to prove his luck, where else?, but in New York. Accompanied by Pop Cardette, they embark in an adventure to try to raise cash and fulfill his promise to Margaret's father.

Fate intervenes in the person of the beautiful Penny. She's a dancing instructor who we first see being cheated out of a quarter by Pop and Lucky. Later they follow her to the studio where Lucky goes to receive a dancing lesson! We know what comes after that. Penny and Lucky were made for one another and it will take the rest of the movie for they to realize this fact and for us to watch some amazing production numbers.

The funniest sequence has to be when Lucky, Penny, Pop and Mabel decide to take a ride to the New Amsterdam resort during a snow storm in a convertible! Not only that, but when they arrive at the inn, finding it closed, they decide to get out and walk in the thick snow without any galoshes! Oh well! The songs one hears in the film are classic standards.

"A Fine Romance", "Pick Yourself Up", "The Way You Look Tonight", "Never Gonna Dance", and others are given excellent treatment. The two excellent musical numbers, "Bojangles' Harlem" and "Swing Time Waltz", show the talent of Mr. Astaire, in the first one, and of Ms. Rogers and Mr. Astaire in the second.

Fred Astaire is always good doing no matter what he does in this film. Ginger Rogers is also appealing as the object of Mr. Astaire's attentions. Victor Moore as Pop, is not as funny as perhaps the film makers wanted him to be, but Helen Broderick, as Mabel was excellent. Eric Blore, Betty Furness and Georges Metaxa and the rest of the cast do their best to support the principals.

This film is a joy to watch thanks to Mr. Astaire and Ms. Rogers under Mr. Stevens' direction.

The films of Astaire and Rogers were very formulaic. You knew they would initially hate each other but by the end they would be head-over-heels in love. In addition, you were guaranteed tons of excellent dancing and memorable songs. And yet, despite their familiarity, America loved the films and they still hold up reasonably well after all these years--mostly, I think, because the dialog and supporting cast helped elevate them to classic status. This film is once again familiar and once again, all the little RKO touches are in place. But somehow, like TOP HAT, this film manages to be just a little more entertaining and polished so it rises to the top. Both Astaire and Rogers are in top form. Support is good, though for my money I still prefer TOP HAT'S Edward Everett Horton over Victor Moore, though he is still fine as the usual bumbling sidekick. All-in-all, a wonderful film for old movie buffs, though some might be put off by the old fashioned singing.

The story, like with most Fred and Ginger films, is not Swing Time's best asset, it does come across as contrived, though it also has a charming and cute edge to it. That however doesn't matter so much, when so much in fact everything else is done so well. Swing Time is another Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers classic, and a very close second best to Top Hat. The sets and photography are very lavish and beautiful to look at(Ginger's wardrobe likewise),the most audacious and sophisticated of all the Fred and Ginger films. Jerome Kern's score and songs are also outstanding, The Way You Look Tonight, A Fine Romance, Pick Yourself Up and especially Never Gonna Dance are all classics, and while it is understandable why some won't like it and find it jarring Bojangles of Harlem is at least catchy. There's nothing to complain about in the dancing either, the standout is easily Never Gonna Dance, just perfection in every meaning of the word and Fred and Ginger probably haven't done a dance more beautiful or emotionally moving. It in particular shows off Astaire's effortless grace and style perfectly. The choreography has a lot of spirit and pizazz, done with an appropriately light touch as well as touches of the dramatic. The script is good-natured and amusing, with some sweet parts too. Special mention should also go to the dialogue scene preceding Never Gonna Dance which is very poignant, maybe the most poignant dialogue scene of any of their films. Fred and Ginger are delightful together, and play their characters with great charm. Victor Moore acts with energy and enthusiasm, but one does wish there was much more of Eric Blore. In conclusion, once you get past the story Swing Time is a wonderful film. 9.5/10 Bethany Cox