Positively Puzzled

The Vintage Shorts Index on this blog gets updated occasionally. I just added a bunch of entries from the wonderful box set: Astaire and Rogers: The Complete Film Collection , an invaluable addition to any DVD collection, full of extra features, numerous documentaries, a music CD, posters, etc., but the pure multifaceted artistry and genius of these two entertainers is priceless. I didn't pay much attention to musicals when growing up, so these classics are new to me. I'm truly awestruck, and I fall in love with Ginger Rogers every time. Oh, and the vintage shorts are fun, too. Unique and quirky at times, they give a fascinating glimpse of the times. Vintage Shorts ( Medieval Underwear )

Half are Fred and Ginger movies...we love 'em! Swing Time (1936) His Girl Friday (1940) Flying Down to Rio (1933) Return of the Jedi (1983) The Gay Divorcee (1934) Roberta (1935) Alfie (1966) Top Hat (1935) Guess Who's Coming To Dinner (1967) Cincinnati Kid (1965) more stills

Seems we watched twice as many movies during the holiday season. Roman Holiday (1953) A Star Is Born (1937) Under the Tuscan Sun (2003) Bambi (1942) Niagara (1953) A Christmas Carol (1938) It's a Wonderful Life (1946) Goodbye, Mr. Chips (2002) To Be or Not To Be (1942) Boy's Town (1938) The Portrait of a Lady (1996) The Apple Dumpling Gang (1975) Atonement (2007) It's a Very Merry Muppet Christmas Movie (2002) Bitter Moon (1992) Elf (2003) A Christmas Story (1983) Carefree (1938) Star Wars (1977) The Empire Strikes Back (1980) more stills

Dancing Sailors About to Get Bashed Originally uploaded by Positively Puzzled 1936 Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers film Follow the Fleet In this scene, Astaire's character is teaching fellow sailors how to dance. Half are selected to lead. Those selected to follow oblige only after mild chagrin. Superior officers arrive to witness what looks like a gay dance party and then proceed to beat up the dancing sailors. Wah-wah-wah. This movie is just about as old as John McCain. Another weird part of the movie for me was a song in which the exceptionally dark biblical phrase "Get thee behind me, Satan" precedes a dilemma about giving in to sexual desires for an obvious cad. I've never heard of this song. It's Irving Berlin, so I suspect I'm just out of touch, but it really was weirdly incongruous. That said, it's a charming movie. The dance numbers in the latter half of the film are particularly good. One of Fred's pulsating syncopated tap routines, on th...