Fred Astaire: A Talent For The Ages

The great American entertainer, Fred Astaire, was born on this day in 1899 in Omaha, Nebraska. A dancer, actor, and singer, he was the definition of "class" in everything he did. To say he set high standards for performance and personal conduct would be an understatement. In fact, the word "perfection" is an appropriate descriptor and it's a word we don't see or hear from Hollywood types these days.

His skill as a dancer and actor was repeated demonstrated in what must have seemed like an endless stream of successful film and stage appearances that helped Americans through the Great Depression of the 1930's. In regard to singing, Astaire thought it was his weakest skill but he went on to e introduce movie fans to many songs that would form the core of what we know today as the Great American Songbook. Not only that, many music critics and historians today agree that Astaire was in fact an extraordinary singer who sought as much perfection in that genre as he did in dance. 

Astaire and Ginger Rogers in a publicity still from the film Top Hat

Some readers may be prone to ignore a post about a dancer who died a generation ago. Don't be one of them. Astaire's footwork--with and without a partner--will astound you. Here is a link to Astaire's Wikipedia entry for readers would like to learn more. If you simply want to enjoy the man - his partners, Rogers and Charisse, are tops - in action rather than read about him, here is a sample of his work: