(Larger Image)
|
The Story of Vernon and Irene Castle
Director: H.C. Potter
Product Group: Video
Studio: Turner Home Ent
ISBN: 078063019X
EAN: 9780780630192
UPC: 053939816730
VHS Tape
Running Time: 93 minutes
Original Release Date: 1939-03-29
Theatrical Release Date: 1939-03-29
Release Date: 2000-05-02
Audience Rating: NR (Not Rated)
SKU: S0701Video3-0484
Condition: Good
Comments: Very good overall tape condition. Orginal box has been put into a hardcase. Ships same day or next in a bubble mailer. Enjoy.
|
Editorial Reviews
|
Amazon.com
The Story of Vernon and Irene Castle was the last of nine films Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers made together for RKO Pictures, and it is unlike any other. For the only time, Fred and Ginger play historical characters--the legendary dancing duo that was all the rage between 1912 and 1916--and a married couple, no less. Instead of their usual innovative, plot-driving dances, Fred and Ginger perform pastiches of what the Castles made famous--the fox trot, polka, and tango. And rather than an original score of great American standards by Berlin, Kern, or the Gershwins, the film uses a collection of period tunes, including "By the Light of the Silvery Moon" and "Waiting for the Robert E. Lee." No, this is not Top Hat, but fans will enjoy the film anyway. Vernon and Irene Castle is an affectionate tribute to a bygone era and to a team that Fred said was "a tremendous influence" on his career. As portrayed in the film (which was based on Irene Castle's memoirs and input), Vernon Castle is a small-time vaudeville comedian when he meets and marries Irene. The two not only manage to forge a career as proper, respectable dancers, they become the essence of style, setting national trends for dance, fashion, and even women's hairstyles. The film briefly touches on Fred and Ginger's usual themes of pursuit and union, but mostly they are warm and tender together as they deal with real-life problems, perhaps portraying the earlier films' characters after those "happily ever after" fantasy endings. And as we watch the Castles' performing career rise and decline, straight through to the film's touching last shot, we realize that Fred and Ginger are saying farewell, which makes The Story of Vernon and Irene Castle an appropriate finale to the most glorious partnership in Hollywood history. --David Horiuchi
|
Customer Reviews
|
Not the typical Fred & Ginger film
Rating  (4)
Date: 2008-07-26
We will probably never see a dancing duo like Astaire and Rogers again. Fred's ability to make intricate dance steps look as effortless as breathing, and Ginger's addition of beauty and grace as she matched him step for step are a wonder to behold. Thank goodness we have their routines caught forever on film!
And it's with some sadness that this, their final film together, doesn't have nearly the amazing dance numbers we had come to expect from their previous offerings. Don't get me wrong, the dancing is still excellent, but it's just not the Fred-and-Ginger style we know and love. Of course that should probably be expected as they are here playing not two fictional characters, but a real couple, Vernon and Irene Castle, who took the dancing and fashion world by storm just several decades prior. A solid storyline holds this film together, and the end product is enjoyable in it's own way and is definitely worth watching.
And given this was the last of Astaire and Rogers as dancing partners, the final scene of the movie is particularly fitting.
|
|
Not to Astaire/Rogers formula but very good
Rating (4)
Date: 2008-06-29
While "The Story of Vernon and Irene Castle" is the last and least typical of the incomparable films which Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers made together at RKO studios in the 1930s, it should not be dismissed because it does not follow the usual formula. The dancing duo's box office standing had been diminishing so it was logical that RKO broke formula.
The film is an exquisitely made biography of the famous husband and wife dancing team, more comparable to the sorts of films Alice Faye was making at 20th Century Fox and even Jeanette Macdonald and Nelson Eddy at MGM. The stars have much more 3 dimensional acting roles than usual which they perform beautifully. The nostalgic tunes, jaunty dance routines and excellent period detail ensure fine entertainment, a first rate production in every way and senstively directed by H C Potter.
The print of the film is excellent but there are two awful extras, a cartoon and a musical short. Both are MGM products and suffer the usual problems of this studio's output - overblown and humourless. The musical short is bizarre with 2 second rate forgotten singers playing business rivals in the manufacture of waffle irons! Yep, you better believe it. Since the short is written and directed by the same man, one wonders what he was possible thinking. The cartoon, a cat and mouse opus, lacks the wit of the Warner Brother's equivalent and has an edge of cruelty which is very unattractive - shades of Tom and Jerry.
The DVD is OK value but better if purchased as part of one of the Astaire/Rogers sets.
|
|
Astaire, Rogers, and the first Tom & Jerry cartoon
Rating  (3)
Date: 2006-11-05
This is not my favorite Astaire-Rogers movie. Their connection with each other was never more touching, but the dancing -- recreating the specific steps of the Castles -- by definition doesn't have the ingenuity that makes Fred & Ginger so special.
However, there is a feature on this DVD, that is interesting: 1940's Puss Gets the Boot is the first Tom & Jerry cartoon. Though the cat is named Jasper and the mouse is unnamed, this first pairing of directors Hanna and Barbera became so popular (the toon was nominated for an Academy Award) that the characters' names were changed and the series was officially born one year later.
|
|
Dancing During a More "Innocent" Era (DVD Review)
Rating (4)
Date: 2006-10-31
Their ninth film together and the last for RKO, Fred & Ginger (F&G) play real life characters Vernon and Irene Castle. Since the story is set in the 1910s, which is comparably a more "innocent" era, the dancing is not as sophisticated but just as elegant, because it's F&G. A typical biographical account, it takes you through various trials and conflicts throughout their lives. The movie has more comedy in the beginning but becomes more serious at the end, especially when Vernon joins the Royal Air Corps during World War I. All the characters are lovable, and you wish you could be there. It's also the only F&G movie where the principles are concerned about having enough money to make ends meet.
In the vintage musical short "Happily Buried" two presidents of competing waffle iron companies want to marry each other but cannot agree on the shape of the iron in the merged company. As a publicity stunt, John Hubbard (Richard Wright) buries himself on display. Look for Tommy Bond, who played Butch in the Little Rascals. (1939, B&W, Run time 20:01)
In the classic cartoon, "Puss Gets the Boot" a cat and mouse fight for household domination. It is a Tom & Jerry predecessor before they were called Tom & Jerry. A written preface comments on how racist it is. However, the stereotyping did not bother me, and I would not have even noticed if they did not point it out. Nevertheless, I am glad they were sensitive about it. (1940, Color, Run time 9:11)
No featurette, running commentary, or theatrical trailer is on this DVD, which is why I gave it four stars instead of five.
|
|
A Tender Farewell
Rating  (5)
Date: 2005-09-03
7 out of 7 customers found this reveiw helpful
This beautiful and poignant farewell from one of the most memorable and beloved of screen couples in film history was the perfect way to say goodbye. Their previous pairings had been filled with joy, grace and elegance; a delightful escapism which helped get everyone through the depression and set a tone of charm and romance no one else has ever come close to. Appropriately enough, their last in the incredible cycle is tender and sweet, faint echoes of their previous entries mixed with the melancholy of something special disappearing forever, never to pass this way again.
Astaire and Rogers tell the story of Vernon and Irene Castle, who set dance and fashion trends all across Europe and America during a more innocent time in the world. Their's was a story of love, humor and dance. But when what they had always dreamed of was within their reach, the world intruded in a way which could not have been anticipated. Astaire and Rogers have never been so real as in this nostalgic and gentle ode to love and innocence.
Based on Irene Castle's stories, "My Husband" and "My Memories of Vernon Castle," the adaptation by Oscar Hammerstein II and Dorothy Yost was turned into a screenplay by Richard Sherman. Ginger's costumes were created by the real Irene Castle, and the Castle's love hangs over this film like a soft velvet fog. H. C. Potter's direction is minimal, allowing Fred and Ginger to say so long through the story of Vernon and Irene.
It begins in 1911, when Vernon, a second comic for Lewis Fields, is chasing after another actress. She ditches him at the beach, and a drowning little dog will bring Irene Foot and Vernon Castle together for the first time. Walter Brennen is wonderful as the crusty and protective Walter. He has practically raised Irene and calls her "Sailor" through her entire life. Vernon and Irene slowly come around to each other. A scene where both he and Irene attempt to get her dog to jump in his borrowed automobile, as an excuse to take a ride together, perfectly captures the sweet and lovely innocence of the time prior to WWI.
There is a charm to scenes in the Foot's parlor as Walter, and Irene's parents, go out of their way to leave the couple alone and keep asking if there is any news yet. It will bring a warm smile to your face when Vernon finally tells Irene he loves her and proposes, and laughter at his reaction to her acceptance. There is a warmth and sense of nostalgia to everything here as the young couple try to make their dreams come true.
It was Irene's belief in Vernon that pushed them forward as a dance couple, as she knew his talents were being wasted in the role of comic buffoon he was forced to play on stage. They have to leave Fields in America for Paris, in what appears to be their big break. Their springtime honeymoon in Paris, however, is plagued by financial woes when they discover they are not getting the chane to dance at all, but only for him to keep playing the comic fool for laughs.
That is when Maggie Sutton (Edna May Oliver) steps in, using her influence to get them a chance to dance at the Cafe De Paris. They do it for a meal for themselves and Walter, but once they hit the dance floor, they will never go hungry again. Maggie becomes their manager, her gruff exterior hiding a heart of gold. Their popularity grows to staggering preportions, as does their bliss. They travel all over Europe and America, setting dance and fashion trends the world over.
Vernon and "Sailor" set dance trends such as the "Castlewalk" and "Foxtrot," as well as the "Maxie," the "Castle Polka," and, the legendary "Tango." There are Irene Castle hats, bon bons and face cream. And Vernon Castle shoes and cigars. The montage of Fred and Ginger storming to success is graceful and joyous. Ginger is especially fetching in a memorable black tango dress designed by Irene Castle.
There are dark clouds on the horizon, however, as the entire world is sucked into war for the first time. Vernon and Irene are ready to stop touring and settle down to the life they've always dreamed of having. Irene's fears finally have to take a backseat to Vernon's sense of duty, however, when he joins the fight and enlists in the Royal Flying Core. Irene waits anxiously, the couple exchanging letters until they can be together once again. A more innocent time, intruded upon by the world as never before, is captured beautifully here.
There will be a reunion in France, and one more dance, before Vernon is finally transferred to Texas as a flight instructor. It seems they may have escaped WWI unscathed, but fate may be requesting some sad music, for a final dance. A bittersweet fade out of Irene and Vernon dancing forever, will bring tears not only for the Castles, but for Fred and Ginger, who were in their elegant way, trying to say goodbye.
There is a sweet scent of honeysuckle and roses here, a different but equally lovely magic caught on celluloid one last time. If you love Fred and Ginger, you can not miss the graceful way they chose to exit, spinning and dancing down the lane in our hearts forever.
|
|
|