Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers - Smoke Gets In Your Eyes

My favorite Astaire/Rogers dance, the Smoke Gets In Your Eyes number from Roberta. I also included the wedding proposal (well, I suppose "acceptance").

[@followthefleet1]

Ginger has about 38 million hits on the net...Fred about 9 million. Ginger just had a 13 film retrospective, with many of her non-Fred films. For ten years, she was the highest paid female star in Hollywood. She made 73 films in all...only 10 with Fred. Fred is ranked #4 on the list of TCM's all time greatest male classic stars. Ginger is #14 on the female side. Both of them are great stars, who will never be forgotten. But what makes them really special is that each makes the other even better.

[@lanecountybigfooters5716]

Agreed! People forget that it was GINGER that brought people into the theaters during their 9-film streak. SHE was by far the more popular of the two. We view Fred's incredible contributions to dance in retrospect and assume he was the draw. Ginger made Fred look amazing and he appreciated it. Together they were magic, and it launched them both to stardom and fame.

[@Capsos1]

As someone (?) once said, Fred was a dancer who could act, while Ginger was an actress who could dance. And together they were perfect :)

[@teamocastro6869]

So talented. And that dress that flows like molten lava and looks like silk sheets. Ooh.

[@Bogolyubovos]

Teamo Castro even better now, if you watch DWTS Dancing with the Stars

[@followthefleet1]

Fred was the master dancer and hub of the creative wheel. No doubt about that. But with Ginger, there was a special chemistry and magic that no other partner could match. She was his best dance partner, not for technical skill...there were two or three other partners better in this than Ginger...but because of their very unique screen reciprocity, on and off the dance floor. They just worked together so beautifully.

[@felixunger1971]

Now THAT is a gown! So simple, so beautiful. Of course you need the figure for it, and Ginger has that!

[@samkaplan7679]

Is there any couple in the history of film who could convey so much tenderness just by walking together? The best walkers in the business. And they could dance too.

[@dorisdavis3642]

Sam Kaplan

[@cristinadiaz1076]

Hermoso verlos bailar me encanta esta pareja creo que no habrá otra igual Fred y Ginger son únicos e irreemplazables 💓👏👏👏👏👏👏

[@jeanne_guitton]

Are people really arguing who worked harder on this piece - Fred Astaire or Ginger Rogers - just because someone quoted Faith Whittlesey? You can't be serious. Just let it go and enjoy the dancing. I doubt either Astaire or Rogers would have found this discussion anything but ridiculous.

[@jimlambert2921]

to see Ginger Rogers in 1934, i think a guy would have to fall madly in love with her.

[@RobertSilvestri86]

Never tire of watching Fred & Ginger. Class & elegance stream from their numbers. Nice you included the proposal.

[@maryrawson4324]

Robert..love this also

[@cdiggs7319]

I respect your opinion, Michael! But I can't watch Fred dance with anyone but Ginger. Maybe I'll get there someday.

[@andipoetic]

Ginger doesn't just dance....she floats along on the air. It's beautiful...the most graceful thing you could ever hope to see! -Andi

[@lizzyvance]

Great job. Were never going to find another couple like them on the big screen. They did a great job of course.

[@shazade258]

WHY can no one do this any more? I feel like it's a dying art... on a side note, best proposal EVER =)

[@MbartM96]

I have read of a man who went to the RKO costume department in the early 70s and was told to take whatever could be used again and throw away every thing else.He found ginger rodgers beautiful gowns "rotting" on the hangers,and instead of throwing them away saved what he could.Its awful to think hollywood didnt give a shit about its history.

[@celt67]

All done in one take, as usual. No room for even the slightest error. The camera never moves away, there's no fancy editing or movie trickery. Just effortless perfection.

[@sesnuev]

They had style, they had grace…

[@fvnaticbychoice]

beat me to it

[@jimlagos]

I've just realised that Ginger has a body that most women would kill for! Perfection in a dress.

[@akiselskam]

Fantastic dancing couple will never be forgotten!

[@ЕленаВладимировна-ъ8д]

Как они потрясающе двигаются и чувствуют друг друга в танце!

[@SnowGirl098]

I seriously doubt anyone on here meant to imply she was "secretly better." People are simply paying some attention to Ginger since she deserves some recognition as well. Don't get me wrong: I worship at the feet of Fred Astaire, but this video is about BOTH of them, dancing as PARTNERS. It's a bit degrading to Ginger that the majority of the comments only ever recognize Fred.

[@followthefleet1]

@ZionBound826 ...Not only to dance...but to dance WITH a partner. I think it was Jerome Robbins who said that if you want to see how to dance with someone else, watch Astaire and Rogers. Quite a contrast to today, when partners not only don't dance with one another, they dance apart, and quite often, don't even have to be doing remotely the same dance!

[@ImplodeOnImpact]

Yeah it's a shame she doesn't get the recognition she deserves, and I 100% agree that her importance to the partnership is undervalued, but that damn "backwards and in heels" quote just ISN'T TRUE and I'm sick of hearing it.

[@followthefleet1]

If two people know the truth, then if they talk long enough, they agree. Fred and Ginger are totally unique. They play reciprocal roles, and have different strengths and weaknesses, but It all comes together, because of their special chemistry....on and off the dance floor. But when they dance, it truly is magic. There's nothing like them. They express something very close to life itself. For sure, we agree.

[@rubruk]

There were a team, folks. And she had class also.

[@donbiancamano5663]

They were so in tune to each other. I'm glad you included the end, it was sweet.

[@buzzbaybear]

watch closely in this clip (or any Fred- Ginger clip) Ginger moves with delicate and understated grace- she glides on air. Fred's movements are wide, overstated, and clunky-his feet never leave the ground. Ginger had it all. Talent, charm, grace, beauty. A brilliant comedienne, she was also an accomplished dramatist (she won her only oscar for a drama role) The only thing she didn't have was artistic control over the studio system that shackled her to light weight money makers.

[@slperry]

Wow. Great dance, but Ginger at 2:12 jumping up three steps with a half turn in heels and a full length dress? I wonder how many falls she took in rehearsal.

[@angusmontrose704]

they say he was great on his feet,, but how about ginger , she could keep up with him ,, in heels and a long dress,,,,,

[@stephaniesadie832]

+Angus Montrose Of all Freds dance partners Ginger Rogers was the one. They were perfect together, and no other woman created such chemistry with him, not even Rita Hayworth, who was considered pretty much 'sex on legs' at the time.

[@m222rjr]

Angus Montrose : and more often than not doing it all backwards!

[@jerrychoate9944]

It's relative. From Ginger's POV, Fred is doing it backwards. Give credit where credit's due. BOTH were outstanding dancers. BOTH were awesome.

[@dashipston]

I could watch this over and over again, just so classic. Thank you!

[@Lhappylstalker7]

This is just simply pure elegance. Don't see a lot of it anymore, sadly.

[@MissHazelFlagg]

Ginger's dress was so lovely and timeless, you could totally wear that in 2010! Or just about any time in the last 70-ish years, for that matter. Same with that one from "Never Gonna Dance" in Swing Time. Love it. Movies will never be this awesome again.

[@MrJohn26822]

My favorite Fred Astaire dance scene because of the controlled pace. Fred believed that a dance scene needed to be shot in one scene with not clipping. I enjoy the flow of the dance, from slow to fast, to slow, climax to slow finish; the elegance, especially when they do the jump spin UP the stairs--and Ginger is in high heels.

[@laffytaffytimes3]

....heavenly couple!

[@Quimlh]

Habían mejores bailarinas que Ginger Rogers, pero ninguna tuvo la química con Fred Astaire como ella.

[@Rvbsongwriter]

May I say this is a classic from an era of it's own. As far as the remakes from singers of this era should just leave it alone. It's almost like distrubing an heavenly eternal passing that will always survive through time. (the gallery now claps and I say thank you.....thank you.... and now I get an ovation.)

[@followthefleet1]

O.K. The steps that Ginger took "backwards and in high heels" were almost all choreographed by Fred and Hermes Pan. Ginger made some contributions, according to Fred and Pan, but it's only fair to say that the lion's share of the creative effort was Fred's...who has been described as the "hub of the creative wheel". It is unfair to Fred to credit Ginger with this part...but it IS fair to say that Ginger did her part brilliantly, to BRING IT ALL TO LIFE.

[@iamqueenkk]

To be honest, as a female with some dance training it's much easier to look competent when you have a wonderfully talented partner than it is the other way around. It's harder to be the less trained male partner and still look good. Ginger was great, but Fred undoubtedly had the greater share of dancing skills, which is why they look so wonderful together. A good partner is a wonderful thing.

[@followthefleet1]

@Kate0603: I like Kelly too, and Fred and Gene were the best of friends...but Astaire has a significant edge over Gene as a dancer. Kelly said that "all modern dancing begins with Fred Astaire",...and Balanchine called Fred "the greatest dancer of the 20th century". ...and he said "the reason I came to America was because of wonderful dancers like Ginger Rogers". Astaire and Rogers were American originals....they created both modern dance, and the dance/musical genre. They are immortal.

[@Thaulopi]

As much as I like Fred, I adore Ginger as much as well

[@Doggie1066]

This is not my favorite dance by these two, but I do think Ginger never looked more beautiful. And what a terrific comic line- "You're welcome my fine feathered friend!" Makes up for what is, let's face it, a pretty awful movie.

[@IrisMathieson]

@jazzy6307 nooo they didn't hate each other. and she didn't put feathers on that dress purposely. they did gt into a quarrel over it though, and to make up, fred sent ginger a gold and diamond brooch in the shape of a feather.

[@musicloveBH]

I wish my generation would dance this way. I would love to dance with a guy like that. It's so romantic and intimate. I only hope I will find someone who has the same views as me to marry.

[@arydae]

This was so lovely that it made me smile all through it! I thing "exquisite" is the right word for it!

[@chomsky88]

Ha ha, so modern; well you're welcome. Not a lot of sap. But c'mon Ginger was a goddess(godess?) in her day.

[@kevinastraw]

At 1.24 Ginger has to do two running turns across Fred and still be in a position at the end to catch his hand. I think that shows the contribution she made to this act.

[@NatiAino]

amazing,ginger is so beautiful and elegant,such grace dancing !It feels like she's just gliding! And Aistaire is a genius dancing. Wish movies nowadays were like this again.

[@joeherald7319]

The combined genius of Jerome Kern Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers. Do we have anything like them today? PS- Also a shout out to whoever made that dress.

[@stevehalp1]

Allegedly Fred Astaire's screen test provoked a comment like- Can't act, can't sing...dances a little. Hope that author found work elsewhere.

[@followthefleet1]

This is an early dance from their third film, "Roberta", 1935. It's very poetic and beautifully simple. It was picked by Fred as one of his favorite dances with Ginger. The choreography was by Fred and his alter ego, Hermes Pan. By this time, their creative process was established. Fred's contract permitted only four people to be present in the creation of the dances...Himself, Pan, Hal Borne the pianist, and Ginger. Fred insisted that every step was to be original, no step ever to be repeated.

[@DustinBlaise]

fred astaire and ginger rogers... i dnt think i have ever seen any better chemistry btween any dancing couple... always had great chemistry btween them in every movie they ever did...

[@kevinastraw]

Astaire's dancing was the apex of the fusion of American and European culture. And then the brute in the American psyche broke out of its cage!

[@MrYorickJenkins]

Interesting observation

[@esmeephillips5888]

Probably the apogee of aristocracy, American style. Then came democracy: Gene Kelly, who said of Fred 'If I'm Marlon Brando, he's Cary Grant'. No offense to Gene, but those who followed him became too fond of being 'earthy' and 'realistic' for the good of the art of terpsichore. That is how we wound up twerking, with autotune, CGI and ten cuts a second to disguise technical and imaginative deficiencies. Dancers are tested harder by live performance, but Broadway in the 1920s did not mike up performers. And most of the great names of the Hollywood musical were exiles from NYC theater.

[@AnneIglesias]

So beautiful! My boyfriend and I are such romantics-- I hope that someday we'll learn to dance like this.

[@wanildolopes4544]

Imagem, dança e musica não tem idade... e o salto que ela dá para a escada e cai com um pé só no degrau é fantástico!

[@astaire8]

I LOVE THIS DANCE - FRED AND GINGER ARE SIMPLY WONDERFUL TOGETHER !! Thank you

[@SnowGirl098]

Yes, but the general disregard of Ginger Rogers by the public is a huge disservice to her.

[@jacobsen976]

Gee, we have good music today too! We just have to many Hollyweeders doing it? Ouch!

[@MinamiSen]

Thanks a lot!! This is one of the most beautiful and graceful dance I've ever saw!

[@dancingfreak94]

@jazzy6307 I have noooo clue where you read that. That is some false info you got.

[@paolabaroni6802]

Bellissimi tempi passati ❤

[@ChezzItalia]

29 People had so much smoke in there eyes, that they missed the 'Like' button.

[@kingusmcgee]

Jerome Kern, the ultimate American composer (1885-1945)

[@joeherald7319]

Agree. He had few equals. Fun fact. Jerry Garcia's real name was Jerome. He was named for Kern, his mother was a huge fan. There's a KZbin of him singing "Somke Gets In Your Eyes" from the movie "Smoke " It's a nice version.

[@fmgagne]

These were the days of true romance without being in your face like today. Where did these values gone...

[@twilson11208]

She had such a lovely figure. Go Ginger.

[@VirtualcieloSosa]

que clase para bailar, esa delicadeza, esas ganas de verlos una y otra vez como lo hago...

[@eafwra08]

I remember sitting on the floor next to my grandmother's chair watching these movies and asking if I could be Ginger Rogers when I grew up! So Beautiful, so graceful, and I wanted Fred Astair!! LOL!

[@apollonia6656]

Brilliant ! Mr Astaire soooo shy: adorable. Indeed, what a couple; they will never be surpassed.

[@gmaureen]

Someone once asked Fred who his favorite dance partner was and, being a gentleman, he dodged the question. Personally, I could watch him and Ginger all day. They were magical together!

[@astaire8]

I love this video - I could watch it forever! Fabulous Fred and Ginger!

[@valjazz]

Thought I'd turn "Dancing With the Stars" off and watch some real dancing.

[@jalenaaliyah1]

Watching these two makes my day....the good old days when quality was over quantity...they are my favorite classic and timeless couple

[@DarlingLove121]

Oh I really do love the dress and I simply adore the song! It's a very beautifull arrangement :-D

[@kevinastraw]

Astaire's name is perfect for his character: Fred - the ordinary guy, Astaire - the toff - both perfectly fused into the one person. "Ginger Rogers", of course, needs no explaining.

[@tarotbear]

So wonderful! As someone who never really did dance, and now no longer can walk without a cane, just watching them twirl and jump backwards up 3 steps is breathtaking!

[@martinkyle1463]

Another Fred and Ginger dance shot in one take.

[@SunShineLida]

Die Definition von Perfektion = Fred Astaire und Ginger Roberts ❤️❤️❤️❤️

[@ingrid2828]

Thank you so much! I've been looking everywhere for that song. I wonder if he has a studio version of this song on his own.I just fell in love with how he sang it.

[@astaire8]

I love this - it is so smooth. Fred is my favourite dancer, singer and actor. Thank you so much for posting this video!

[@convict13]

I just love everything about their movies, the dances, the music, the costumes, themm, and I really love the set design.

[@Pavlovafowl]

Thank-you for this clip - it is superb, the epitome elegance, from the cut of the dress to the music and the dancing. Years ago I saw an excellent documentary on Fred Astaire it was on ARTE - German/French TV, the early films' clips were in colour. Ginger Rogers spoke of how she had designed the famous feathered frock herself, to enhance the dance movements. The doc also revealed that Fred named Rita Hayworth as his favourite partner. Does anyone know of this doc, I'd love to see it in full?

[@ApolloHeliosPhoebus]

here's the thing- no. He had to lead.

[@Gambian7]

For UK Strictly Come Dancing Viewers, Eat Your Heart Out Craig Revel Horwood, you will never emulate Fred Astaire.

[@keleigh97]

Such grace, terderness, and love. They danced so experessively together. They were and are the best dance duo ever. Ginger convinces you that Fred is the greatest.

[@marhomist]

How Great Masters of Dance They Were...Timeless performance!

[@AndiniMako]

@biggibson49 I personally think Fred better. Fred would adapt to the style of the woman he was dancing with to help them a bit. Watch a solo of Ginger and watch a solo of Fred. Who's better? Fred!

[@filsgreen]

This is pure class.

[@steveknows62]

One word: CLASS

[@lindaschmidt9697]

I adore Ginger Roberts. She did everything Fred Astaire did, only in backwards and in heels!

[@StevenTorrey]

+Rosa Schlüpfer Her name is Ginger ROGERS...

[@michaelmantle6043]

+Rosa Schlüpfer Ms. Rogers' name is shown in big letters at the beginning of the clip, and in the title box for this page, and you still fucked it up? Priceless.

[@xomthood]

no she didn't

[@lena-marie7257]

Eleanor Powell was a better dancer.... even Fred said so.

[@davecrowder7312]

Not quite. Actually, the mostly did side-by-side, if you care to watch.

[@danielanderson2324]

Love that song and Fred and Ginger dancing nothing like that today.

[@IrisMathieson]

they are officially the best dancers of all time. i love them too much that it's actually unbelievable!

[@cecilev.9253]

LA GRACE DE CES DEUX DANSEURS ****************

[@cecilev.9253]

Eblouissant.

[@cecilev.9253]

odette M Bonsoir Odette,je suis une grande fan. J'espère que tu vas bien par ce grand froid, bises (nordiques :)

[@elenagambalonga4754]

Cécile voltolin mon copain est aussi un grand fan de Ginger et Fred..moi je l'aimes mais pas beaucoup je peut dire que ils etaient vraiment abiles! Bosoir Cécile, Biz!

[@gaylened9631]

Miley Cyrus, Should take notes.... This is how people should dance, Not what's on offer these days! LOL

[@cloberth]

Fred and Ginger are to this day unrivaled in grace and style, replaced by wooden ballroom athletes.

[@curtiswilliams4546]

Those were the days in movies when actors had to play two roles.

[@dedrawilliams]

i love this song so relaxing and great .

[@irvinemuscle]

Simply the best. Ever.

[@CamilaRibeiro]

Fred & Ginger...fico até sem palavras... S2

[@paolabaroni6802]

Stupenda musica ❤

[@rsls101]

Graceful

[@carltrotter7622]

Watch this whilst listening to Smoke Gets In Your Eyes - The Platters.

[@kinkajoes]

oooh that dress